UCL’s Lockdown Entrepreneurs: #KadsForKawans
Our fourth article in the ‘Lockdown Entrepreneurs’ series – which foregrounds student initiatives and businesses that have flourished during lockdown – highlights the work of Quan Choy, a UCL student and graphic designer that has used her talents to fight against domestic violence during lockdown.
Art by @quan.creates
On her Instagram page @quan.creates, third-year Business and IT UCL student Quan Choy had been showcasing and selling her illustrations long before the coronavirus pandemic began. But it was in May, as she learned of the rise of domestic abuse around the world during lockdown, that Quan decided to take a stand – and so, #KadsForKawans was born.
Quan’s campaign #KadsForKawans (meaning “cards for friends” in Malay) raised money for the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), a Malaysian NGO that works to prevent and put an end to domestic violence, as well as provide support for survivors. For over a month, 50 per cent of the proceeds of postcards designed and sold by Quan were donated to WAO, and customers were encouraged to include additional donations in their purchases.
Photography by @quan.creates
When asked about how the initiative started and why it was born during lockdown, Quan told Pi and Buro: “I’ve always wanted to sell my artwork for charity, but what inspired #KadsForKawans was the lockdown itself. It really hit me that whilst we complained about having to stay home to stay safe, some couldn’t even feel safe at home.”
She calls attention to the fact that, at the Women’s Aid Organisation alone, calls for help more than doubled within just the first month of lockdown. These alarming domestic violence statistics in Malaysia are unfortunately part of a larger trend emerging during lockdown in many countries around the world, including in the UK. Quan characterises the issue as one that is “scarily pervasive, yet hardly discussed,” and much of her campaign was aimed not only at directing funds to help tackle it, but also at starting up a conversation in her community.
Within the first three days of starting the campaign, almost 500 postcards were ordered from Quan’s Instagram account, and many of her followers started conversations online about domestic abuse or fundraisers of their own. Soon enough, the local brand APOM contacted Quan to help her sell her postcards on their online platform and in their stores, which helped to further publicise and expand the initiative.
The postcards themselves were also envisaged as a way to foster communication and “circulate kindness” at a time when many were finding themselves isolated or feeling lonely. “Postcards came to mind as a perfectly thoughtful and affordable gift to remind all your friends of your love for them,” Quan explained.
The postcards’ designs too were an attempt to bring a bit of humour into a rather difficult time for most. The star of Quan’s postcards is her character Emmeline, who carries out a variety of new activities at home during quarantine – “often failing, but dressed to the nines” all the while. She is a reminder to continue trying new things and look for positivity and opportunity everywhere; in Quan’s words, “2020 is not cancelled so choose how you decide to live it!”
Photography by @quan.creates
Many of the attention-grabbing clothes Emmeline dons and the objects in her home are pieces from some of Quan’s favourite Malaysian designers; “I really wanted to highlight local talent,” she explains. During a year that has been hard on many small businesses and artists, Quan found a way to popularise not only her fundraiser, but also to support some of the local businesses she admires.
Quan’s #KadsForKawans campaign has now come to an end, but she is still creating new products and illustrations. A self-taught graphic designer, she is now being approached by multiple businesses for corporate commissions, creating anything from business cards to tote bags and other merchandise.
Photography by @quan.creates
Although she probably will not pursue illustration as a career once she graduates, Quan’s job is likely to be one where she can continue to utilise her creativity: “Design is definitely something I’d like to look into in the future, though in the long-term, probably not so much as a designer, but definitely in the creative industry.”
For any UCL student looking to set up their own fundraiser or small business, Quan offered two tips: find something you are passionate about, and then just do it. Considering her own experience with @quan.creates, she reflected: “Not having pursued a ‘creative’ degree at uni, [graphic design] definitely seemed foreign and slightly daunting, but I believe that if you work hard enough, or want it enough, you can always find a way!”
Quan’s work can be found on her art Instagram account @quan.creates. The Women’s Aid Organisation’s hotline can be found here, while if you or someone you know is suffering domestic abuse in the UK, you can access support through the resources listed here.