Imperial Choisy: A History of Immigration Hidden Behind Signage explores the aesthetics of Chinese store signage in Paris, revealing the cultural narratives of Chinese immigrants. Through an analysis of design, urban spaces, and Orientalism in films and daily life, the research uncovers how nostalgia and identity are expressed visually, offering insights into the composite identity and cultural heritage of the immigrant community.

The project spanned about six months, from drafting the framework, conducting field research and interviews, to book design and binding—all of which I handled myself. In terms of design, my primary concern was how to connect all aspects with the theme, allowing readers to engage more smoothly and comfortably, immersive themselves while also ensuring the work reflected my personal style and was recognizable. I started with the concept of "neon signs," a highly recognizable visual element that occupied the most significant portion of the text. Following that was "night" (evoking loneliness, nostalgia, and interrelated with neon lights) and "archived documents" (these signs had become part of history, and this research served as a documentation and preserved them).