Yushan Zhang

Parrot Partnerships: Informing Prospective Owners through Design

Parrot Partnerships explores how design can help prospective parrot owners better understand the practical and emotional demands of living with a parrot. Parrots are often admired as colourful, intelligent and affectionate companion animals, but the everyday realities of ownership can be easily underestimated.

Drawing on the experiences of parrot owners, the project highlights challenges including loud vocalisations, destructive behaviour, daily care, financial commitment and long-term responsibility. These issues are translated into a multisensory physical-digital installation combining sound, movement, tactile materials and tablet-based interaction.

Rather than presenting parrot ownership in an idealised way, the installation invites visitors to reflect on whether they are prepared for the demands involved in caring for a highly intelligent and social animal. By making these responsibilities more immediate and tangible, Parrot Partnerships aims to support more informed decision-making and encourage greater awareness of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.