Jiamei Yan
USC Pacific Asia Museum Merchandise
During on-site research at the USC Pacific Asia Museum, I identified a key issue within the gift shop: while most items featured general Eastern aesthetics, many lacked a direct connection to the museum’s identity and curatorial focus. Common merchandise—such as postcards, T-shirts, stickers, pins, and tote bags. They often appeared generic or unrelated to the museum’s unique mission.
To address this, I proposed a redesigned merchandise series inspired by the USC Pacific Asia Museum’s original branding and permanent exhibitions. By referencing long-term display pieces and the museum’s visual identity system, the project aims to realign the gift shop offerings with PAM’s cultural mission, transforming everyday items into meaningful objects that bridge the gap between commercial souvenirs and cultural storytelling, while reflecting the spirit of the Pacific Asia region through thoughtful design.