We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.
Hannah Suh
An Average of 5 People is a zine series that explores the philosophy that "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This quote is attributed to Jim Rohn, a business entrepreneur and motivational speaker, who argues that the individuals we spend time with shape our future, emphasizing the importance of actively constructing our social environment with people who will propel us forward.
In this series, I identify five traits I have gained from my five closest peers: resilience, love, generosity, perseverance, and courage. Utilizing these traits, I have produced a publication comprising five zines. Each trait is symbolized by a different body part, such as resilience represented by the mind or love represented by the heart. These body parts are printed on the covers, which align vertically to reveal a full image of myself. The zines are stitch-bound together, forming a flag book that can be read simultaneously. Additionally, each zine is assigned its own colorway, such as yellow for the mind and green for the heart.
By using myself as a case study, I want the viewer to exercise introspection by considering their five closest peers and how their influence manifests in their personality. At the end of each zine, I pose the question: Who is the heart in your life? Who has taught you love? These inquiries invite viewers to contemplate how their five closest peers inspire them to become the person they aspire to be.