Pauls Story | Book + AR
A personal storytelling project designed to give voice, ownership, and dignity back to a homeless individual — through a printed book and augmented reality.
This project began as part of a broader exploration of homelessness in London. I wanted to move beyond statistics and headlines — to amplify real stories in a way that felt honest, respectful, and empowering.
While volunteering at Brixton Soup Kitchen, I met Paul — introduced to me by its founder, Solomon Smith. Paul had been selling The Big Issue for over a decade, and he agreed to sit down with me and share his story. Over two hours, I listened to a deeply personal account of his life — covering love, tragedy, loss, violence, and survival.
The conversation stayed with me. I decided to turn Paul’s story into a printed book, told entirely in his own words, giving him the opportunity to sell something that was his — not just a magazine, but his story. He loved the idea.
The project also included augmented reality (AR) components to create deeper layers of engagement — allowing the audience to interact with Paul’s story in new ways.
This work became the prototype for what could be a wider campaign: one where homeless people are seen, heard, and empowered to earn with dignity — not exploited for empathy.