VANISHING POINT
A zine for AAS 104B
Spring 2026
Cover illustration: Canva
Graphic illustrations: Canva
editor’s note
I know. What better way to disrupt the aesthetics of a sunset cover than with an explosion of food, hobbies, interests, and more food.
Sometimes it feels like the model minority myth flattens and compresses our lived experiences as asian americans into the margins. But as you might have noticed here, the margins can actually be a very loud and diverse space This zine is a humble platform where Asian American voices can get creative while writing about their unique interpretations of first love.
On a more serious note, just like the use of vanishing point to create three dimensional perspective in architectural sketches, it’s stories like the ones you’ll read here that help bring three dimensionality back to our lives off the paper. Hope you enjoy.
A wise guy (forrest gump) once said “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” Well, i think first love in itself can be a box of chocolates. we have quite the varied box here, as our contributors’ first loves span from squirrels to passion projects to the people they enjoy spending time with most. try a page. you never know what you’re going to get.
hmm. first love’s like a box of chocolates
squirrelsinthesky
I love animals. Since I go to UCLA, I always stop to stare at and take pictures of the daring squirrels on campus. Once, I heard chittering while walking to class. Thinking it was a bird, I looked up but saw this squirrel instead. - Eliza Yi
at the end of the day, i’m home
I love my house. I'm from San Diego, and I've lived in the same house with my family since I was 2 years old. My parents have told me that before we had our house, a nice beige-colored home that doesn't particularly stand out in San Diego's suburbia but is charming nonetheless, we once lived in a small apartment that we sometimes pass by on our drive to Costco. But as far as my memory goes, I have only ever lived in one house, and this house has never failed me.
When I was in high school, I remember coming home after exhausting days and collapsing on my couch while I watched my kdramas on the big TV. After hard exams made me scared for my grades, the one thing that I could depend on was that my house would be waiting for me when it was all over
Me and my house are also exactly the same age—coincidence? I think not. I'm sad to admit that both me and my house are getting a little old; its outdated air conditioning system needed a full replacement just last summer that left us in 80 degree heat for a couple months But I love my house as much as ever, and if it grows old then we will just have to grow old together.
- riley yang
at last, a little peace and quiet
first love: a soundtrack
What sounds and songs remind you of first love?
Check out the editor’s top picks!
“넌 나에게 매일 첫사랑. ”
To me, you are a first love everyday.
My Roommates
When I thought about first love, the first people who came to mind are my college roommates. They make me excited to come back to school and face each new season because they are near and dear to my heart. One place we like to go to is Little Tokyo, where this photo was taken in front of an old claw machine
- Elisabeth Park
Loaf At First Sight
Warm, yeasty, delicious. The fragrant aroma of carb-y goodness in the air –From crusty brown slices of sourdough, Lathered in butter and flakes of sea salt. Flaky, laminated pastry, Golden and glistening in the light. Kneading, pounding, rising, Scoring, baking, cooling –Truly a loaf at first sight.
-Mia Su
People often explain their love for architecture with a high and mighty explanation that says something along the lines of "architecture is the bridge between the arts and STEM" I don't disagree, but to me, architecture was one of the first times that I felt that "click" It was that simple; I knew that I was both talented at it and I found it interesting, and that is why it is my first love
sunset glow
A sunset often feels like a small miracle in nature that we’re lucky enough to experience every day. Like first loves, sunsets create a warm atmosphere that captures beauty in ordinary things.
-Fiona Zhang
Puppy Love
This is Bumpy, my first stuffed animal and the inspiration for the name of my dog.
-Tovya Michael
about the contributors
Eliza Yi is a UCLA second year with a talent for making fresh banana milk in the dorm when a late night snack is in order.
Riley Yang is a UCLA second year whose current pastime is watching a kdrama called “Yumi’s cells” in her dorm (at school, her dorm has become her second home).
Elisabeth Park is a UCLA fine arts major and expert in traditional painting, drawing, ceramics -- as well as helping her friends in their times of desperate need.
about the contributors (pt. 2)
Mia Su is a writer, an aspiring baker, and a lover of all things carbs.
Adrienne Ng is a second year architecture major at Cal Poly Slo and a San Diego native. She wishes more people knew that Bob the Builder is a general contractor, not an architect.
Fiona Zhang is a UCLA third year passionate about bioengineering, pickles, and meeting up for dinner with friends. She is one of the coolest people I know.
about the contributors (pt. 3)
Tovya Michael is a UCLA third year who loves chemistry, baking, and her dog.
Madison Yang is a UCLA third year whose greatest side-quest during college so far has been the Asian American Studies minor. She had a lot of fun putting this zine together, and is grateful to the contributors.