Skin Deep

"Skin Deep" is an interactive, multidisciplinary project that addresses the resurgence of restrictive body image trends and societal pressures promoting a singular "ideal" body size. By exploring the historical, cultural, and psychological impacts of body standards, it aims to challenge harmful narratives while promoting inclusivity and self-awareness. The project engages diverse audiences through educational components that trace the evolution of body image ideals. Through immersive experiences that foster positive self-reflection and affirmations and creative hands-on tools, Skin Deep nurtures self-love and body positivity in a playful and accessible way.

Activity Book

Skin Deep is a vibrant and empowering children's activity book designed to nurture self-love, confidence, and creativity. Through a thoughtful mix of coloring pages, journaling prompts, word games, and crafts, Skin Deep celebrates every child's unique identity and encourages them to feel proud of who they are inside and out.

Inside the book, kids are invited to:

  • Explore their thoughts and feelings with guided journal prompts

  • Celebrate their strengths and individuality through art activities

  • Practice self-kindness with affirmation exercises

  • Engage in fun word searches filled with positive, uplifting words

  • Create meaningful crafts that reinforce messages of self-worth

Skin Deep is guided by a friendly cast of characters Lovey, Twinklie, Sunny Bloom, and the rest of the Skin Deep Crew — who help make the journey of self-discovery joyful and supportive. Every page reminds kids that they are strong, beautiful, and enough just as they are.

Shine Time Mirror

The Shine Time Mirror activity invites kids to see and celebrate their own inner and outer beauty! In this fun, confidence-building exercise, they create a mirror filled with positive words, colorful designs, and affirmations that remind them just how special they are.

By decorating their "mirror," kids practice:

  • Positive self-talk and self-recognition

  • Artistic expression through colors and doodles

  • Self-affirmation by writing kind messages to themselves

The Shine Time Mirror is a joyful reminder that every time they look at their reflection, they are seeing someone who is strong, unique, and absolutely enough.

Skin Deep Curriculum

Skin Deep: A Curriculum for Confidence and Creativity is a year-long educational path designed to empower young people aged 8 to 17 through self-expression, body positivity, and emotional development. Created for small to medium-sized group environments such as classrooms, after-school programs, or community centers this curriculum creates a safe and inclusive space to explore identity, self-worth, media literacy, and activism.

The program is divided into two terms:

  • Fall Term (Months 1–6): Focuses on developing foundational self-awareness through creative arts, journaling, mindfulness, and critical conversations about cultural and historical body standards.

  • Spring Term (Months 7–12): Deepens emotional awareness through empowerment projects, advocacy campaigns, and community-building events.

Each month, participants engage in:

  • Art Projects such as self-portraits, timelines, and empowerment posters

  • Mindfulness Practices and Journaling

  • Critical Analysis and Media Literacy

  • Creative Advocacy through Community Events

  • Personal Storytelling and Self-Reflection

The curriculum culminates in a final community showcase, where young people present authentic media projects honoring their journeys toward self-acceptance, resilience, and empowerment.

At its core, Skin Deep uplifts every body, every narrative, and every voice inspiring a generation to recognize their beauty, strength, and value from the inside out.

Reflection on Skin Deep

Skin Deep was inspired by my younger siblings and the desire to create a space where kids could feel proud of who they are. Watching them grow up in a world filled with unrealistic pressures made me realize how necessary early conversations about self-worth, body positivity, and emotional resilience are.

Building this capstone was a journey of creativity and learning. I knew the curriculum needed to be hands-on using art, storytelling, and mindfulness because kids connect through doing, not just listening. Finding the right balance between fun and emotional depth was a challenge. I revised the activities many times, making sure they were engaging while still meaningful.

The Shine Time Mirror became a breakthrough moment. It showed me how something simple like decorating a mirror with affirmations could make self-love tangible and joyful. Testing activities like this with my siblings helped me fine-tune the tone, making the curriculum feel natural, playful, and powerful.

There were moments of doubt, but each small success reinforced my vision: to make kids feel seen, celebrated, and strong. Skin Deep became more than a curriculum it became a labor of love, created to uplift every child’s voice, story, and sense of self-worth.

My hope is that Skin Deep inspires a generation to recognize their beauty, strength, and value from the inside out.