Digital Lives in Southeast Asia through the eyes of local artists
Countries in Southeast Asia are rapidly emerging as the “next wave” of trendsetting leaders in the digital economy. With more people embracing digital as a new normal during the pandemic, this trend is accelerating. Research by Deloitte found that consumers in Southeast Asia enjoy rich depth and breadth of daily life scenarios supported by digital technology, with their top four favorite mobile apps related to digital entertainment, e-commerce, daily life services and financial services.
Alipay recently collaborated with a group of up-and-coming women artists in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to launch a series of artwork depicting local digital life through an artistic lens.
The full collection of artworks has been published on Alipay’s official Instagram page, and high-res versions are available for download here.
Thailand
(L to R) Artwork by Titiporn Klintachote (@22mm.t), Manasawee Rojanaphan (@manasawii) and Visansaya Loisawai (@linghokkalom)
Thai consumers have a strong appetite for digital entertainment such as video and music streaming – the report by Deloitte found that Thailand has some of the keenest social media users in the region, with users clocking in a daily average of 2h 55min on social media.
This trend is what inspired Manasawee Rojanaphan, a Thai artist and illustrator. She said, “Many famous museums around the world went online during the pandemic, which allows people who would never have the chance to visit to enjoy the virtual museum experience from their own homes.”
“Even during the lockdowns, the locals were still able to have fun and relax at home by going online and visiting social media platforms to watch videos, listen to music and spend time with friends through virtual parties.” said Titiporn Klintachote, an illustrator and graphic designer in Thailand.
The popularity of social media has also laid the foundation for social media e-commerce – in Thailand, 51% of online shoppers shop through social media. Visansaya Loisawai, a freelance illustrator from Thailand shared, “Thais use their smartphones for everything, from paying bills to buying things via mobile banking or e-wallet. We hardly carry cash as we mostly use our phones to scan QR codes or swipe cards.”
Singapore
(L to R) Artworks by Marina A (@mrn.a) and Diane Ng Rose (@dianengrose)
Diane Ng Rose, a freelance designer based in Singapore: “Digital tools are enabling more seamless workflows, especially for freelance designers like myself. I often have to handle multiple tasks at once, from communicating with clients to researching and producing artwork. Mobile apps and the cloud have elevated my level of productivity as I’m now able to do most of my tasks on the go.”
Marina A, a visual artist from Singapore: “I wanted to express through my artwork how the Internet has greatly impacted the way we live and work. Thanks to technology, I’m able to gain access to products around the world, and get the chance to work with overseas clients.”
Digital life is thriving in Singapore. The city-state’s robust digital infrastructure and variety of apps for all areas of living and working add to the richness of digital life, making it a ‘Digital Life Leader’ in the region, according to Deloitte.
Malaysia
Artwork by Gan Yi Qing (@yiqinggan)
Gan Yi Qing, an illustrator and content creator from Malaysia: “During the pandemic, I loved watching livestreams of beauty gurus sharing their product reviews, and videos of local chefs promoting their dishes and sharing handy cooking tips. Digital platforms bring us closer together, unhindered by distance, language and time. I wanted to celebrate this through my work.”
With a population of about 30 million, Malaysia is an attractive market for e-commerce in Southeast Asia due to its rapid economic growth and advanced digital technology infrastructure, according to Deloitte. During the recent 11.11, Lazada Malaysia saw another record-breaking performance. Touch ‘n Go eWallet, one of the online payment options on Lazada Malaysia and the leading local e-wallet recorded a surge of over 200% in the number of transactions, and 90% increase in the value of transactions during 11.11 as compared to 2019.
Touch ‘n Go eWallet has also noticed healthy transaction volumes for essential services. As part of the ePENJANA short-term economic recovery plan and to encourage locals to adopt contactless payments, the local government gave a one-off allowance of RM50 to e-wallet users. Digital payment has seen further adoption, for its safety, convenience and seamless payment experience and value-added benefits such as e-vouchers.
Indonesia
(L to R) Artworks by Erin Dwi Azmi ia (@erindwia) and Kathrin Honesta (@kathrinhonestaa)
“In Indonesia, anyone can easily start an online business. Going digital is one of the key ways that small businesses and freelancers have survived the pandemic.” said Kathrin Honesta, independent illustrator from Indonesia.
“The number of online marketplaces in Indonesia is increasing rapidly and the fact that many Indonesians now shop online shows the growth of our digital economy,” added Erin Dwi Azmi ia, a freelance illustrator in Indonesia.
Ranked as one of the three “Digital Life Leaders” by Deloitte, Indonesia's online shopping coverage has experienced exponential growth, and the number of online shoppers is expected to double in coming years. During 11.11 this year, DANA, one of Indonesia’s leading mobile payment platforms, provided payment support and collaborated with more than 60 online and offline merchants during the shopping festival, including three leading e-commerce platforms in Indonesia - Lazada, Bukalapak and Blibli.
Serving more than 45 million local users since its establishment, other than functioning as an online payment option, DANA is also available in over 200,000 brick-and-mortar merchants to enable contactless, convenient, and secure payment for local consumers.
