The assignment was to research family history and create a sticker with cut and registration marks, as well as a poster measuring 11x17 inches featuring the family crest.
I was very excited to learn how to create stickers, I aimed to combine my and my husband's family histories, however I quickly realized that finding genealogical information was no easy feat, particularly given my Iranian heritage. I searched and searched but I was forced to accept the fact that, unlike my white European peers, my search would be fruitless. I was unable to find a family crest despite my professor insisting that every family had a family crest. Like many Iranian immigrants, much of our Iranian family history disappeared during the 1973 revolution. Unsurprisingly, the current Iranian government does not prioritize the publication of family history on the internet. My search involved delving into geni.com and then browsing relatives' names on Google, though the results were rather disappointing, providing no crest. From oral stories I knew that my Paternal great grandfather was a general and my maternal great grandfather was a mayor. I also knew that my family had a close relationship with the Shah of Iran before the revolution. I incorporated facets of the Pavlavi Dynasty crests and motifs from military medals. I also researched my husband's heritage but did not find an official Bonn Family crest despite numerous attempts, the internet was only too eager to offer me an array of commercial options to purchase.
I decided to make my own family crest with elements that I found and that were special to me. My crest includes depictions of lions, swords, and roses, intertwined with current family elements such as the lotus for peace. Employing a Hufflepuff-style aesthetic and an elegant palette of black, white, and gold. I created a family motto in Latin that reflects my persistence and resourcefulness in this project: "Aut viam inveniam aut faciam." which translates to "I will either find a way or make one."