Honors Resreach
STAMPED THEN TORN
STAMPED THEN TORN is an experimental short film that reflects on the experiences of Indian immigrants in Australia. The project combines photographed locations connected to each story with filmed portraits of participants who respond to these environments through hand-drawn illustration.
In the studio, large prints of these locations form the backdrop while the models paint onto a pane of glass placed between them and the camera. Through this process, they reinterpret the stories of Charanpreet Singh, Praveen Param, Jamel Kaur Singh, and the March for Australia, translating each narrative into a personal visual language.
This layered method—photography, film, and illustration—creates a space where memory and place intersect. STAMPED THEN TORN encourages viewers to reconsider how migrant stories are carried, shared, and seen within the Australian context.
Exegesis
Graphic design can challenge racial injustice and the misrepresentation of immigrants in Australia by shaping perceptions of identity and belonging. Drawing on Barnard’s (2013) understanding of design as a constructor of identity, this project explores how visual storytelling can provoke reflection, foster empathy, and redefine public narratives. Peter Drew’s Real Australians Say Welcome campaign demonstrates how bold, accessible design engages audiences and invites participation in national conversations about inclusion. Set against Australia’s historical and political context—including the White Australia Policy and the growing Indian-born population—STAMPED THEN TORN, and this exegesis highlights design’s capacity to amplify underrepresented voices and contribute to a more inclusive cultural discourse. Through layered photographic and illustrative techniques, my visual component of my studies helps position graphic design as a tool for social activism and meaningful dialogue.
