Growing Pains is a multidisciplinary storytelling project that explores the concept of the inner child and shared emotional memory. The work centers on a collection of nine illustrated books; each written, designed, and illustrated as part of a cohesive narrative experience. While accessible to younger audiences, the stories are intentionally layered to resonate with adults.
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The collection varies in format: some books invite interaction, while others present stories. Together, they create a spectrum of engagement that mirrors the complexity of childhood experiences and memory.
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To extend the illustrations beyond the page, certain illustrations were translated into three-dimensional objects. Over 300 individual pieces were 3D-printed, then hand-painted and varnished. These objects were packaged in small capsules, designed to be taken by viewers as tactile keepsakes; bridging the gap between viewer and artwork.

The capsules were placed inside a gumball machine to bring in a sense of nostalgia and play. Instead of using real money, I designed, 3D-printed, and hand-painted my own tokens so people could interact with the piece more freely.