WKA: I’m Sorry

JOINT+WKNY

About

In the midst of COVID-19 I worked with the WKA affinity group to animate “I’m Sorry,” a book created to illustrate the toll of anti-asian racism fueled by the pandemic.

From the Wieden+Kennedy website:

“This book was born out of an uncomfortable truth. COVID-19 didn’t create a new wave of racism, it simply unveiled what was already there. Our goal with this book was to create awareness and educate readers by illustrating what the world looks like through the eyes of an Asian American, living not only in the midst of a pandemic, but in a country where our “Americanness” is contingent on what we have to offer.

The book revolves around a tenet of many Asian cultures: to protect the wellbeing of others, even at the cost of one’s own self. This idea manifests itself in various ways, ingrained in the way Asian people are brought up from a young age, well into adulthood. Apologizing, even when not at fault is one pervasive example of this. This book looks to turn that on its head.”

I worked closely with illustrator Dan Koo and writer Andrew Kim to bring the book to life on social. Personally, it was both tough and meaningful to work on something so raw when tensions were already at a fever pitch. Projects like this make me endlessly grateful for the opportunity to express myself through my chosen craft.