A Refugee’s Suitcase

PROJECT BACKGROUND

During my design research course project, I interviewed a homeless man named Anton. Unlike the other homeless individuals I met, he was a refugee from Syria.

The vast refugee population remained unsettled, with many refugees still facing dire circumstances despite the assistance of countless capable and compassionate individuals and organizations.
In the contemporary world, war is not merely a page in history books; it continues to wreak misery in various parts of the world today. The aftermath of war leaves behind not only destroyed cities and lost lives but also thousands of families forced to leave their homes, becoming refugees. They can only carry a few possessions in a suitcase, embarking on an uncertain journey of exile.

INTERVIEW STORY

Before Anton arrived San Francisco in 2023, he and his brother had spent four years waiting in a refugee camp in Homs, Syria.

In Homs, lack of medical resources leading to a significant number of injured refugees dying due to infections and untreated severe injuries. Because of the lack of security management, crime is another factor leads people to death in the refugee camp.

Anton lost his brother there. A criminal attempted to steal the supplies he had just acquired, he attacked him.

Wars are happening, all the time. When hearing such a living person narrate his story, I realized that: the disasters brought by war are not just numb figures or the tragic experiences of others; they are scars left on individual lives.

PROJECT GOAL

In the contemporary world, war is not merely a page in history books; it continues to wreak misery in various parts of the world today. The aftermath of war leaves behind not only destroyed cities and lost lives but also thousands of families forced to leave their homes, becoming refugees. They can only carry a few possessions in a suitcase, embarking on an uncertain journey of exile.

Time Frame: 1.5 month

INSIGHTS & GOALS

The lives of refugees are of equal value to our lives.
Abandoning the struggle for resources and rights, peace and the proper settlement of people should be the eternal topics. In this project, I tried to restore the escape scene of a typical refugee portrait, hoping to make the audience understand that: the differences among us and the refugees, are just luckiness.

Roots: Threat to life and oppression.| The WAR

Large populations and insufficient aid conditions

FINAL VIDEO

INSPIRATION

Suitcase

Refugees' suitcases are preserved in museums as evidence of war – this serves as one of the most direct ways for later generations to understand their lives.

IDEATION

  • Explosions akin to a heartbeat.

  • scene of the long march and the war

  • Dressing style changed during the war around the world.
    Military uniforms and Simplicity would always become fashion, despite the time. Thus, I chose most of the cloth and items in a Vintage, Denim, and Khaki style.

  • I also add vintage items to express a refugee’s original, peaceful life.

Cloth

Fashion changing during the war around the world: Khaki and military uniforms

“Refugees”: Seek help

Appealing hand:
Torn and bloodied, yet still desperately reaching out for help. However, this hand will ultimately be lost amidst the sea of humanity.

FINAL OUTCOME