Beyond Barcodes

Beyond Barcodes is a conceptual zine that investigates the narratives encoded within barcodes and reinterprets receipts as tools to examine the emotional layers of consumer behavior. Often dismissed as transactional byproducts, receipts in this project are reframed as carriers of memory, identity and self-worth—reflecting personal values shaped by frugality, guilt, and inherited beliefs about money. The zine unfolds through a series of illustrated vignettes, each centered around a category of spending: groceries, essentials, dining, vanity, and experiences. This arc traces a journey from survival to indulgence, ending on a bittersweet note—critiquing how consumer culture quietly shapes how we spend, what we feel, and what those choices signify. Each vignette pairs symbolic black-and-white illustrations with short narrative reflections, inviting both self-inquiry and cultural critique. The project encourages viewers to reconsider the emotional and cultural systems behind even the smallest purchases. It invites reflection on the commodification of everyday life and the silent weight of receipts—documents that often outlast the purchases they record. This project asks, quietly but insistently: would you like your receipt?