In the first week, I invited older adult participants to engage in a collage-making activity centered on memory, personal interests, and visual exploration. I prepared a variety of materials, including old magazines, photographs, colored papers, textures, and printed images, and spread them across the table for participants to freely browse and select from. Participants slowly searched through the materials, choosing images, colors, or fragments that connected to their memories, emotions, daily experiences, or simple curiosities.

As participants cut, layered, and arranged images, conversations naturally emerged around family, past homes, gardens, favorite objects, and moments from everyday life. Some participants were drawn to familiar landscapes or flowers, while others focused on textures, colors, or shapes that felt comforting or meaningful to them. Through this process, I observed how collage could become a gentle way for participants to revisit memories, express emotions visually, and build connections with one another through shared making and storytelling.

n In the second week, I invited older adult participants to create small handmade zines as a way to reflect on and share moments from their lives through sequential images and storytelling. I introduced the zine as a simple folded booklet that could hold memories, drawings, words, colors, and personal narratives across multiple pages. Participants were encouraged to think about meaningful moments, daily routines, childhood memories, family experiences, favorite places, or stories they wanted to revisit and visually express.

Using drawing materials, collage fragments, handwriting, and simple illustrations, participants created story-like image sequences that unfolded page by page. Some participants drew memories of their hometowns, family gatherings, gardens, pets, or important life transitions, while others focused on quieter moments from everyday life. As they worked through the pages, many participants naturally shared stories connected to their images, creating conversations filled with reflection, humor, and emotion.

Through the zine-making process, I observed how sequential image-making helped participants organize memories visually and narrate experiences at their own pace. The small booklet format also created a sense of intimacy and personal ownership, allowing participants to hold, revisit, and share pieces of their life stories through art.