BEING ABLE TO BE UNABLE
Art Direction, Event Planning, Branding, Campaign, Illustrations
2024
"Being Able to be Unable" is my degree final year project in Lasalle in which I had researched, art directed, conceptualised and did the end to end planning and execution in hopes to raise awareness to the issue of animals with special needs, in turn reducing abandonment and misjudged euthanasia of pets in Singapore. The final outcome of the research led to a 3 day event filled with workshops, activities and freebies to create a one-stop safe community for owners of special needs to come together and learn more about the topic. The project was in collaboration with Optimus Animal Rehabilitation and the event was hosted at OMD Cafe & Bar.
"Being Able to be Unable" is an ideology that promotes providing resources and opportunities for all individuals to flourish, irregardless of abilities or disabilities. It emphasizes accepting weaknesses and calls for inclusivity, recognizing the inherent dignity and self-worth of every living creature regardless of their capabilities. By embracing this concept, we foster a more compassionate and understanding society.
RESEARCH & PLANNING PHASE
Owning a cat with special needs has taken my family and I through a challenging journey, fraught with little support. We've often been questioned why we didn't choose the easier and seemingly more humane option of euthanizing our cat. These led me to realise the lack of discourse surrounding the care of special needs pets and the general unawareness among Singaporeans about how to handle such situations with their own pets. The difficulties I encountered as a pet owner have served as the driving force behind this project, with the aim of delving deeper into this under-discussed topic.
Interviews and shadowing of Optimus Animal Rehabilitation and his clients were conducted to gather further insights to the community and the struggles faced from pet owners with special needs pets. Photo documentations were made and produced into a publication and webpage.
EXECUTION PHASE
The outcome of the research led to a 3 day event organised to be a one stop hub of resource and learning for pet owners with special needs pets, and to establish a safe community for them to share their struggles with each other. Sponsors were found to help support the non-profit event, additionally a telegram group was created to keep the community going post event.
A brand was established to create collaterals such as posters, T-shirts for the team helping out, and souvenirs for guests to take home. Custom carpentry shelves were designed and created to help navigate guests through the research, and educate them on the topic. Workshops were conducted, covering animal wellness, human psychology wellness (managing caregivers' burnout), and a sharing circle to help build the community.
Pet caricature portrait services were carried out and feedbacks/responses were gathered from the guests to evaluate for future planning.
