Social Compass is a creative collective founded in Cambodia in 2014 that aims to solve social issues through the power of art and design. Under the philosophy of "creating together," it values the whole process of "communicating, delivering and involving" people, not just making works.
Based in Cambodia, it produces awareness content on education, the environment, public health and traffic safety using character animation, video production, projection mapping and VR. Its character Wattie, inspired by Angkor Wat, has appeared in many awareness animations made with partners such as JICA, the Nippon Foundation and Cambodia's Ministry of Education, and has reached children across the country through national broadcasting.
Since 2020 it has held White Canvas, an art contest for Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bhutan, and it is also trying to build a system that lets artists continue working as professionals. In July 2022 it received the 57th Social Contribution Award from the Social Contribution Support Foundation.
Key points
- Conveys social issues such as education, the environment and public health in a fun way through art and design
- The character Wattie appears in awareness animations made with partners such as JICA and the Nippon Foundation
- Also takes on building a support system for artists through the White Canvas art contest
Why this organization deserves attention
It focuses on explaining complex issues in a visually clear way, from familiar topics such as littering and traffic manners to educational support, disaster prevention, agriculture and forestry. Expressions that are friendly even to children become an entry point to awareness.
It also carries out a range of activities in Cambodia and Japan, such as workshops, exhibitions and school lessons. The news section of its website shows these with photos.
Editor's comment
Social issues can sound difficult, but with characters and pictures, children and adults can start thinking at the same eye level. Social Compass's works seem full of that power.
You can read about its workshops and exhibitions on the official website. Why not take a look at this form of international cooperation through art?