broken robot lying in a pile of mechanical ruins

CASE STUDY for Mental Health Awareness Project that I worked alongside of @Sh8peshifters back in 2017.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This impactful project showcased a series of moving artworks raising awareness for mental health challenges. All proceeds were donated to the Black Dog Institute, a Sydney-based organization supporting those affected by mental illness.

DATE

OCT 2017

CLIENT

PERSONAL PROJECT
(in lieu with Sh8peShifters)

ROLE

ILLUSTRATOR

IDEATION

OBJECTIVE

To bring awareness to Mental Health issues, and to support Black Dog Institute on their mission to help those struggling with mental health issues.

APPROACH

In celebration of Inktober, I created artworks based on the official art prompts which pushed creative boundaries, and leveraged the excitement to attract a wider audience and raise awareness about mental health.

RESPONSIBILITIES

✦ Art Direction & Design

✦ Illustration Ideation & Execution

PROCESS

SH8PESHIFTERS

A Sydney-based creative initiative founded by Alan Chen (@fable_us) and Diana Ayoub (@art8_mis) that harnesses the power of art and storytelling for positive social impact.

FINDINGS

Mission Australia’s latest Youth Survey reveals concerning trends:

1 in 4 young people are at risk of serious mental illness.

This risk grows as adolescents age, peaking in older teens, with Indigenous groups and young women facing even greater challenges. These findings highlight mental illness as one of the 21st century’s biggest challenges, demanding action from communities, health services, and families to address this critical issue.

Research

WHY INKTOBER

I took part in Inktober 2017 with a special focus on mental health awareness, partnering with Sh8peshifters to align with Mental Health Month.

Mental health can be a tough topic to talk about, so for this project, I focused on using visuals to make the conversation feel a little more approachable and human. The goal was to create artwork that resonated with people on a personal level, something they could see themselves in. It wasn’t just about making it look good, but making sure the message was sensitive, relatable, and had the right impact.

#inktober

#mentalhealthawareness

#mentalhealthmonth

FINAL LOOK

Person slowly sinking into deep ocean waters with shadowy hands reaching up from below and a faint spotlight from above, representing depression's downward pull.

Expressionless face centered in a galaxy with planets and boats swirling around it, depicting dissociation and emotional detachment from surrounding activity.

Broken robot lying in a scrap yard, surrounded by mechanical parts, symbolizing internal fragmentation and disconnection.

Woman underwater struggling to breathe and unable to call for help, with the water's surface visible but unreachable, depicting the suffocating experience of anxiety and panic.

Floating building with mirrored rooftops, showing a happy girl on one side and the same girl appearing sad on the inverted bottom roof, representing the duality of presented versus hidden emotions.

Woman curled in fetal position being caught by a supportive net, symbolizing the importance of support systems during mental health crises

Man's bust with dark paint pouring onto him from above while colors drain and fade from the bottom, depicting how depression drains life of vibrancy.

heading floating in water , contemporary image to depict dissociation

KEY TAKEAWAY

By participating in Inktober during Mental Health Month, I was able to push my creative boundaries while raising awareness for mental health. This initiative not only increased visibility and engagement with my work but also fostered a supportive community, highlighting the power of art in promoting mental well-being and connection.