 In an interview with Phaidon, Yin discusses her inspiration for the "Portable City" series and states, “I place emphasis on difference, but no matter how I emphasize it, it’s always covered over by sameness”.Suitcases and clothing are a popular medium for Yin, and she uses them in other works such as "Fashion Terrorism" (2004–05) to address global issues such as trust and security.In "Fashion Terrorism", Yin used clothing to construct weapons and other objects forbidden on a plane, then packed them up in a suitcase.