I'm a final year BA (Hons) Illustration student, soon to be based in Birmingham. My work is driven by a passion for physical mediums and fostering empathy in a competitive world. Towards the end of my second year of study, I had the opportunity to create a short story for Vol. 68 of the children’s magazine Anorak, titled Night Time Fun. The theme of ‘Playgrounds’ provided the basis for a playful narrative, combining these underrated third spaces with curious UK animals to construct a connection between communities and local wildlife. Taking a bold step in my final year with the project Fostering Empathy for Trans+ People, animal symbolism is used as a response to the UK’s hostile political climate and dehumanising treatment of transgender people. I asked several LGBTQ+ support groups for their stance, their responses epitomised in this: “We're just humans. We have always been a part of human history.”