About

Social Compass is a creative collective founded in Cambodia in 2014, dedicated to solving social issues through the power of art and design.
With the philosophy of “creating together,” Social Compass goes beyond simply producing artworks—engaging in a process of communicating, delivering, and involving people to realize a better society.

Based in Cambodia, the group extends its activities across Laos, Myanmar, Japan, and other Asian countries. By employing diverse creative formats such as character animation, video production, projection mapping, VR, art blockchain, and planetarium installations, they develop social awareness content on topics including education, environmental protection, public health, and traffic safety.

One of their signature characters, Watty, inspired by Angkor Wat, has appeared in numerous public awareness animations in collaboration with JICA, The Nippon Foundation, local NGOs, and Cambodia’s Ministry of Education. These animations address everyday issues such as littering and traffic manners, as well as broader topics like disaster prevention, agriculture, and forestry. Through compelling visual storytelling and an element of fun, Social Compass strives to make complex problems easily understandable. Many of these works have been broadcast nationwide on Cambodian national television.

In recent years, Social Compass has partnered with AEON Mall Cambodia to create public art monuments, host regular art workshops, and develop original IP content—bridging the gap between art and commercial spaces.

The collective also provides business consulting for Japanese companies entering Cambodia, having supported the expansion of firms such as website development company Net Frontier(CAMBODIA),.Co.Ltd and video production companies ANNEX digital,.Co.Ltd and TOUPE,.Co.Ltd. With over a decade of experience in recruiting, nurturing, and managing creative talent, Social Compass also serves as a platform connecting international companies with skilled local professionals.

In 2020, backed by an East Asian cultural support organization, Social Compass launched the international art competition White Canvas across Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. The initiative aims to create opportunities for artists—regardless of nationality or background—to gain fair recognition, while also building a new ecosystem where art can be sustained as a profession through fair compensation and creative communities.

In recognition of its impact, Social Compass was honored with the 57th Social Contribution Award from the Social Contribution Support Foundation of Japan in July 2022.