Studio Asja Keeman

Masoumeh: In Hope of Peace is a visual research exploring women’s lives in the aftermath of conflict. At its center is Masoumeh, a women’s football coach in Afghanistan, whose story might otherwise fade in silence. Through her memories, struggles, and resilience, the project carries a voice that deserves to be heard. To preserve her life and experiences, we created a photozine: a kind of time capsule, that holds onto her personal history and transforms it into testimony. What might have been lost becomes part of a collective call for peace, ensuring her story lives on and is shared. This work is a reminder that design and storytelling are not only about what we create, but about who we honor, and the voices we choose to amplify. Photography and project by the talented @alexavachon and @mohammadimasoumeh #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

This is a project that continues to resonate with me. Masoumeh: In Hope of Peace is a visual research exploring women’s lives in the aftermath of conflict. At its center is Masoumeh, a women’s football coach in Afghanistan, whose story might otherwise fade in silence. Through her memories, struggles, and resilience, the project carries a voice that deserves to be heard. To preserve her life and experiences, we created a photozine: a kind of time capsule, that holds onto her personal history and transforms it into testimony. What might have been lost becomes part of a collective call for peace, ensuring her story lives on and is shared. This work is a reminder that design and storytelling are not only about what we create, but about who we honor, and the voices we choose to amplify. Photography and project by the talented @alexavachon and @mohammadimasoumeh #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

This is our belief in staying true. Design is not about chasing what is “cool” in the moment; it is about integrity, authenticity, and the courage to create from within. Trends fade, but the essence of who you are remains. Every choice you make in your work carries your values, your perspective, your story. To follow what is fashionable risks losing that voice. To remain true to yourself is to honor your identity and to create with depth and meaning. That’s why this practice is so important. It is not only about producing something new, it is about building trust, fostering connection, and contributing to a culture that values honesty over spectacle. Because we know, we witness, and we believe: meaningful design comes from listening inward, engaging with others authentically, and shaping work that reflects who we truly are. Together, let’s choose to create not for the trend of today, but for the values we carry into tomorrow! #authenticdesign #stayingtrue #designwithpurpose #creativeintegrity #meaningfulwork #designphilosophy #valuesdrivendesign #createwithintention #timelessdesign

The Za'tar w Zeit project made in 2017 together with Disarming Design from Palestine, Amman Design Week, Darat al Funun and the community of the Gaza refugee camp. Photo's by Asja Keeman and Disarming Design from Palestine.

In 2017, I visited the Gaza refugee camp with @disarmingdesign , I thought I had some idea of what to expect. I didn’t. The camp stretched out like a living city—dense, layered, and full of life. But what struck me most wasn’t the scale of it, nor the difficult conditions people faced daily. It was the people themselves. During the visit, we were also given a brief but powerful history lesson about the Nakba of 1948—the mass displacement that forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. Hearing those stories from people whose families had lived that history added a weight and immediacy that no textbook could convey. What stayed with me long after I left was the contradiction: how people could endure so much loss and restriction, yet still radiate warmth, generosity, and humor. It reminded me that kindness isn’t a luxury of comfort; it’s an act of defiance in the face of hardship. That visit changed me. Now, watching the devastation in Gaza, I keep thinking of the people who welcomed me with such warmth back then. Their faces, their stories, their kindness — they’re impossible to forget. It’s harder than ever to watch, knowing that behind every headline are lives and families just like theirs. Photo by Disarming Design From Palestine

I visited the Gaza refugee camp in 2017 with @disarmingdesign , and to be honest, I was shocked. I was shocked by the sheer scale and city-like appearance of the camp itself, but even more so by the Palestinians I met there. Complete strangers welcomed me into their homes, shared food with me for hours, laughed, talked, and showed the kind of warmth and hospitality that left a lasting impression. It isn’t easy to remain kind when living with hardships most of us can hardly imagine. It isn’t easy to stay warm and open-hearted—and it’s certainly not anyone’s obligation to be. And yet, what I witnessed was an extraordinary amount of kindness and resilience. That personal experience is irreplaceable, and no amount of propaganda can diminish it. What it taught me, more than anything else, is that dehumanization thrives when we don’t take the time to truly see and get to know each other. 📷 Photo and video by myself. #disarmingdesign #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

In 2017, I joined fellow Dutch designers in Jordan for a Disarming Design from Palestine workshop, where we collaborated with the Gaza refugee camp community to create olive-wood bowls symbolizing resilience, home, and the enduring spirit of Palestinian culture. The inhabitants of the Gaza refugee camp are Palestinians who fled Gaza in 1967, and are still stateless. Disarming Design from Palestine is an independent non-profit project fostering thought-provoking designs from Palestine. This Design is to pass on the stories that reflect the complex reality of inhabitants of the Gaza refugee camp. Each of the useful objects carries a unique story. 📷 Photos by Disarming Design From Palestine @disarmingdesign and myself. #disarmingdesign #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

My first night in Amman, Jordan, 2017 — Za’atar w Zeit. I joined fellow Dutch designers in Jordan for a Disarming Design from Palestine workshop, where we collaborated with the Gaza refugee camp community to create olive-wood bowls symbolizing resilience, home, and the enduring spirit of Palestinian culture. This work was only possible in collaboration with the inspiring Rand Abu Al-Sha’r @randabualshar , Darat al Funun @daratalfunun , Hasan Abu Siam (bowls), Siham Abu Nimeh (embroidery), and Saber Abu Masoud (tailor) and of course Disarming Design From Palestine @disarmingdesign #disarmingdesign #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

This is a project that left a deep mark on me. In 2017, I traveled with a group of Dutch designers to Jordan to take part in a workshop by Disarming Design from Palestine. For three weeks, we worked side by side with the craftsmen and women of the Gaza refugee camp in Jerash — an experience I will never forget. There, the olive tree was everywhere — a living symbol of home, of belonging, and of resilience. From its wood, we created two interconnected bowls, each with a flattened side so they could meet and almost become one. They were made to hold za‘atar and olive oil, a pairing that carries deep meaning in Palestinian homes, connecting people to tradition and to the land. This work was only possible in collaboration with the inspiring Rand Abu Al-Sha’r @randabualshar , Darat al Funun @daratalfunun , Hasan Abu Siam (bowls), Siham Abu Nimeh (embroidery), and Saber Abu Masoud (tailor) and of course Disarming Design From Palestine @disarmingdesign . Together, we honored stories of strength and identity, carved into the heart of olive wood. #disarmingdesign #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

This is our mission: We guide, inspire, connect, and encourage people everywhere to build a better world! Our passion is using the art of storytelling and Graphic Design to amplify unheard stories. — and we do it with deep compassion and care. Because we know, we witness, and we believe: change is possible. Together, we can strive towards building a better world where empathy, collaboration, and justice are at the forefront of our collective efforts. 📩 Do you have an idea for a project? Say hello! #storytellingforchange #designforgood #bettertogether #graphicdesign #studioasjakeeman

Graphic Design and storytelling are just a part of my work. But beyond that, there's a deeper bond with the people I collaborate with, especially during life's tough moments. Yesterday, they faced something unimaginably difficult. My heart goes out to them and to the community. In these times, deadlines can wait. What matters most is being there to listen and support. Let's always prioritize compassion over schedules. #graphicdesign #communitycollaboration #compassionovercruelty

I've been fortunate to collaborate with the remarkable team at HÁWAR.help, alongside Nathaniel Brunt and the resilient members of the Yazidi community for several weeks now. Together, we've approached our work with deep respect and sensitivity, immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Yazidi culture. In recognizing the importance of authenticity and the unique individuality of this community, every design choice – from color selection to content layout – will be made with sincere reverence for the Yazidi community and their lived experiences. Our goal extends beyond merely creating an archive; it's about humbly crafting a digital experience that honors the profound resilience and enduring spirit of the Yazidi people. Together, we're humbled to contribute to a legacy that transcends borders and fosters unity among communities. Photography *** family collection-Yazidi Community Archive. #graphicdesign #communitycollaboration #digitalarchive #yazidi