How is Social Media Un-Earthing our Most Remote Creatives?

Published by
Ben Morgan
February 10, 2017

When graphic designer and architect, Kelwin Wong, decided to create a unique illustration each day to post to Instagram, it wasn’t just about having a bit of fun, he wanted to draw focus to his city and his profession.

Perth creatives often feel underappreciated by the Eastern states. But it is a city of great social, cultural and built heritage, with a thriving creative community. In an attempt to highlight creativity in the West, designer and architect Kelwin Wong set out to make a unique ‘poster’ on Instagram each day, bringing focus to life in Australia’s most remote city. “I tried to make the challenge as sustainable as possible. When I originally sat down I said to myself, it has to be done within half an hour. I would have to put something up every day. That was the brief.”

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Wong has featured everything from the iconic Bell Tower on the swan, to old theatres, private houses and even a set of three ‘pop-art’ outhouses. “It’s been surprising to me as to what resonates with people the most. I actually physically go to site and visit these buildings. When I try to look up online to get some information, there might be a scant little thumbnail image, black and white, 200 pixels wide. Because that’s all we’ve had. Being able to go on site has been really great; to actually see the buildings in context, but also to explore the place I live in.”

Want more? Read the full story in Indesign #68, on sale Feb 9!

 

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