Shane



Graphic Designer  
Toronto, Ontario
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Kanto 


A BDes thesis exploring Filipino cuisine and culture as a bridge for belonging and connection. 

Cilent: Thesis School Project
Scope: Research | Brand Identity | Print Design | Packaging Design 
Timeline: September 2024 - April 2025 
Tools: Ilustrator, Indesign  Kanto is a cultural project that explores Filipino identity through food, space, and community. Inspired by the Tagalog word “kanto,” translates as “street corner,” the project reflects the idea of a familiar gathering place where people come together to share food, stories, and everyday experiences. The concept centers around a Filipino home food store, highlighting how food can act as a bridge to culture, memory, and belonging—especially for Filipino-Canadians who may feel distanced from their heritage.

To bring this concept to life, the project was developed through a series of design deliverables. These include a small instructional book that guides the experience, printed pages that allow users to construct the 3D paper models (functioning as packaging design), and supporting brand posters that help communicate the visual identity of Kanto. Together, these elements create an interactive way to explore and celebrate 
Filipino culture.




Matter of Concern

This project considers the question: How can design reconnect Filipino-Canadians to their cultural identity through food, and how can interactive experiences make cultural traditions more visible and accessible in a Western context? This question is important because many Filipino immigrants and first-generation individuals experience a gradual disconnection from their culture, where everyday practices become less visible or valued. In Western environments, Filipino cuisine is often underrepresented or overshadowed, contributing to a loss of cultural familiarity and pride.

Through Kanto, cultural experiences become more engaging, encouraging both Filipino-Canadians and others to recognize, appreciate, and reconnect with Filipino culture in a contemporary context.











Prototype Final Design Deliverable 
3D Paper Model 


© SHANE KHAN 
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