Next event:
ERINN SAVAGE – Performance
Tomorrow 15:00 GMT

Singapore

This year we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of GSA Singapore’s second to last cohort of BA graduands. Once again, both staff and students pulled out every stop to surpass our previous efforts. This year has been a turbulent one for us. The news surrounding GSA’s anticipated departure from Singapore in 2021 struck us with surprise. The responses from our industry friends and from our academic partners pay testimony to the profound impact which GSA Singapore has had, and will continue to have, on Singapore’s creative scene.

GSA’s graduating cohort this year will increase the number of GSA Singapore alumni to around 700. They will contribute to GSA’s growing legacy. Our alumni are known for their independent thinking, their readiness to take risks, their critical-reflective skills, and their adaptability. Trained to make a difference, our outgoing students this year are yet again destined to join the small but growing group of future vanguards in Singapore’s design industry and beyond. One of our furthest-travelling alumni, Abdul Rahman, has just returned from New York City, where he was stationed as Associate Strategist by Ogilvy.

Of course, the Covid-19 situation imposes challenges upon all of us. Good designers hone not only creative skills and passion, but also perseverance. Some of our students have already taken the initiative to design guidance information for locals to connect them to the most essential support services in Singapore. Adversity has a way of sifting out those who see opportunity in difficulty, and those who see difficulty in opportunity. There can be no doubt that our new cohort of graduating students will thrive throughout their careers.

Matthias Hillner, Director of Programmes GSA Singapore

The Plastic Problem

Plastic bags are portrayed sexually to create the image that sea creatures are getting choked without consent, consequently losing their lives. This project is catered to young adults, encouraging them to switch to a plastic alternative, Solubag, which is packaged like a condom.

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The Plastic Problem

This work may contain graphic imagery, Click to toggle blur.

The Plastic Problem

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72 Virgins: Terrorist’s Digest

This is satirical digest showcasing the dos and don’ts of terrorism. It is curated specially for someone who is a terrorist, or wants to be one. In this digest, there is a showcase of how race can be a deterrent from you achieving the title of being the most successful terrorist. I also chose to poke fun at how they brainstorm certain ways to make terrorism become “socially acceptable”.

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72 Virgins: Terrorist’s Digest

This work may contain graphic imagery, Click to toggle blur.

72 Virgins: Terrorist’s Digest

This work may contain graphic imagery, Click to toggle blur.

72 Virgins: Terrorist’s Digest

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Valaida Snow

Valaida Snow was an African American Trumpet player who sang and played Jazz music in the 1920s – 1930s era. This is an alphabetical record-styled diary, illustrating Valaida Snow’s struggles with racism, as well as her experience getting captured by Nazis for two years.

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Valaida Snow

This work may contain graphic imagery, Click to toggle blur.

Valaida Snow

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Project Proxima

The world, stunned by our first contact, is set on the brink of nuclear war, when the message is misintepreted and manipulated to serve mankind’s vile nature. A linguist races against time to translate the message and steer humanity from destroying themselves. The Space Race died 3 decades ago and with it, the public imagination. Project Proxima attempts to reinvigorate the passion for space exploration. The search for ET has always piqued our interest. From the mass hysteria of The War of the Worlds to the claustrophobia of Alien, the prospects of alien lifeforms has no doubt, kept us on the edge of our seats. Themes of astrophysics, communication and humanity are explored using an imagined dialogue between us and extra-terrestrial beings from our neighboring star system, Proxima Centauri.

Project Proxima

Project Proxima

Project Proxima is the decryption, translation, and study of photometric messages from an extra-terrestrial civilisation in the Proxima Centauri System, the closest to our Sun. This facilitates communication between mankind and our neighrbor 4.47 lightyears away.

Project Proxima

Low on options, resources and time, the International Commission devises an ingenious and dead simple way of emitting a comparable energy output we had observed from Proxima Centauri. Well, here's the plan: We humans sure love to stockpile on nukes ey? Modify them to emit the light spectrum that we want. Send them into space, so that our atmosphere does not interfere with the light transmission. Put them at the right altitude and then BOOOM! No gigantic lasers, No costly electricity bill, get rid of our nukes at the same time! I'm not kidding.

Project Proxima

This is a set of vocabulary to guide the celestial dialogue, based on our common understanding of physics, metaphysics and mathematics, the universal constants. The language is based on the Arecibo message, designed by physicist Frank Drake, Carl Sagan and fellow scientists.The Binary message was transmitted in 1974, from the powerful Arecibo Dish Array in Puerto Rico. I adapted it into a more direct and visual form, using the same 73 X 23 grid, in which the nukes will be coordinated to denotate. Nuclear fusion = Emission of light = dots on the imaginary 73X23 Grid.

Project Proxima

This is a set of dialogues,for the purpose of human comprehension. The language relies on a form of universal sign language that can be best compared to frantic hand waving between two people who has not a single clue about each other's languages. But it works most of the times. For example, shouting in a conversation suggests an emphasis. Denoting a bigger nuke in space, emitting more energy, also suggests an emphasis.

KOPE Fest

One man’s trash, Another man’s treasure. KOPE Fest is an exhibition to showcase what can be done using little resources and skills. The interactive nature allows people of varied ages to have a haptic experience. Living in Singapore’s fast conveniences and exorbitant mercantile, we often take for granted what treasures lie beneath our HDB. By creating a series of engaging assemblages out of salvaged material, I aim to spur youth imagination and educate The public about prudency and resourcefulness. using these objects as posters, I also aim to explore unconventional mediums for advertising

#endthecommitment

#endthecommitment is an initiative to end the toxic commitment we have with single-use plastic bags and opt for greener alternatives while doing our daily shopping.

The Bees are Coming (Back)

The Bees are Coming (Back) is a travel scrapbook of my experience in Glasgow and these are a few selected spreads from it that I really enjoy. This was also my first attempt at creating a travel log and I assure you it looks a lot better in real life.

Thank You and Goodbye

Thank You and Goodbye can be seen as the unofficial Part Two of The Bees are Coming (Back). This travel log documents my experiences in London, Paris, Brussels, Cologne and other parts of Germany. Once again, I assure you it looks a lot better in real life.

A Story In Statues

Having documented heavily the extent of the street art scene in Europe. I began to create a series of posters showing a collage of street art and using statues I found in Europe as the focal point in each piece, I chose to create very raw images while juxtaposing them against the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles as a representation of Singapore and it’s street art scene.

A Story In Statues

Sterile Singapore

A Story In Statues

The statues

A Story In Statues

"Swee" in Hokkien is an adjective to describe something or a situation is "beautiful".

Skins Magazine

Created a magazine labelled 'Skins" highlighting the hobby of taxidermy and the importance of preserving our animals especially if they happen to go extinct

Skins Magazine

Skins Magazine

Featuring certain advertisements, here are some highlights of advertisements which i designed to compliment the magazine. showcasing the plight of endangered species in a striking yet accessible way.

Satire Supermarket

Introducing the Satire Supermarket, "World End". A satirical take on how Supermarkets & consumers are handling the plastic problem.

Satire Supermarket

Going green literally & why stop at double bagging, when you can quadruple it

Satire Supermarket

Arsenal Football Club Official Magazine - Feb Issue

Me being a huge Arsenal fan, I did not want to have football players on the cover page as most designers would, instead I used their mascots to portray the clubs, Arsenal (Cannon) and Tottenham Hotspur (Blue Chicken) respectively. The main attraction is in the centre, The cannon is ready to blast the chicken to outer-space. This way I could add some fun to the cover page design.

It was quite a challenge to design this page. This was my first time doing a “print design” as I’ve been designing for the screen (digital) my whole life. Layout placements in print design can be very important, but I didn’t want to compromise on my digital skillset for this particular page. Therefore I fused both styles. Now read the RED letters from top to bottom. What do you get?

I thought it would be quite interesting to show all the French players who have played for Arsenal Football Club during it’s 134 year old history. As such this would be the complete list of French players from the year 1886 - 2019.

I had a lot of flexibility and fun working on the design on this page in particular because of how I managed to cleverly merged 2 different Arsenal Third Kits (Pink & Cyan) into 1 page. By doing so, not only does it not look regular and dull anymore… It also looks energetic and youthful!

The last one would be a collage of many more different page layouts and designs that are featured in my own edition of the Arsenal Magazine. 

For more information, visit https://www.behance.net/gallery/96609881/Arsenal-Magazine-Design.

Incuba - Luxury Healthcare Packaging

INCUBA is a microchip that is inserted and incubates in the human body which reverses the effects of procrastination by monitoring and re-balancing the different levels of hormonal and negative chemicals changes in the human body.

This is my design process where I came out with some rough sketches digitally with pin-point accuracy and measurements done to scale for the development stage for product prototyping. I also made a breakdown of the different parts needed to put the prototype together to finalise the design.

This is the “Chip base Plate” where the placement of INCUBA chip will be for display.

Once the top half of the packaging is opened and remove, underneath this is what you will see. The Emblem of the INCUBA chip design (hexagon-shaped) and a Manual for the user to know how the product functions.

The last one would be a collage of many more different page layouts and designs that are featured during the Product shot on INCUBA.

For more information, visit https://kingkumarart.myportfolio.com/incuba

YYENO

YYENO is a card game designed for people pleasers to practice saying no. Saying no is a difficult task for people pleasers as they see it as a trigger to all their fears becoming a reality. However, although intimidating, it is a necessary step to take back their lives. This game aims to ease them into this new normal by providing them with a safe space to practice saying no, while having fun.

Unfiltered

In a world where people prefer to hide their struggles, Unfiltered explores the thoughts many wrestle with. Created using various works from my first 100 days of studying in GSA, it seeks to communicate the rawness of human emotions and thoughts.

Unfiltered

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Unfiltered

Portrait of a Feather

Feathers are typically viewed as a collective– be it as a covering for birds, in accessories, or even in household items. These objects are taken for granted and not given much attention or appreciation. This exploratory project seeks to bring attention to an everyday, overlooked object by isolating it– making each feather the focus instead of the supporting character. Drawing attention to the individual feather brings intimacy, and highlights its usually unnoticed beauty.

Portrait of a Feather

Portrait of a Feather

The Perfect Life?

The Perfect Life seeks to educate and highlight the plight and the atrocities committed against the Rohingya– a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar. The satirical approach adopted in the book stems from the apathy of the majority, whose ignorance is equivalent to saying that everything is perfectly fine. By adopting this approach, the book shows how twisted this mindset is and seeks to wake people up to the reality in front of them.

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The Perfect Life?

This work may contain graphic imagery, Click to toggle blur.

Hook

Hook is a branding project that was inspired from my favourite childhood movie – Peter Pan. When re-watching it when I’m older, and upon researching more on the author, the interpretation of the movie took a dark turn from the perspective of Captain Hook. With this in mind, the message behind this was to enlighten people that fairytales could be just be an illusion under the influence. The logo and typography treatment was experimented by how I interpreted how Captain Hook’s handwriting would look like when writing with a hook for a hand. I experimented by attaching a brush to an actual hook from a hanger, and started exploring the messiness that ensued from his handicap. After experimenting, the final outcome resulted to be a mix of fairytale-like quirkiness yet honing a mysterious ominous tone to its branding, which highlights my objective and message well.

Civilization Typography

The language designed was my imagination of how I picture the future to be. Influenced by Elon Musk’s obsession of inserting microchips into the human brain, I would imagine that our civilization would turn to a civil war, where people are questioning if adding a digital layer into our anatomy would be the solution of the future. Since it seems to be predicted that the future is of unlocking our brain’s capacity with microchips, I studied parts of the human brain closely, and what each part functioned as. From here, I deconstructed anatomies and functions of the human brain and used its physical appearance as the structure of this language. The advancement of technology led me to the speech that Charlie Chaplin gave in “The Great Dictator” in 1940, where he talks about how humanity has been overcome with greed because of power and technology. The speech he gave is still relevant to the technological progression of the world today. Hence, I used excerpts of his speech to be translated into the language that has been designed.

Civilization Typography

Civilization Typography

Sorry for your Loss

Native languages find themselves slowly being replaced by hegemonic languages as globalisation and rapid migration have contributed to chronic attrition. If there are approximately 6,000 languages in the world, only a mere 4% of these languages are used by the majority of the global population. As a result, half of these 6,000 dialects are headed for extinction. Sorry for your Loss is an initiative which seeks to address and bring awareness to a global epidemic of losing one’s native tongue. The initiative is formatted into an exhibition where visitors can reminisce and reconnect with their lost language through various interactive displays; a space then becomes a cure. Each edition will explore different indigenous languages from around the world. This edition shines the light on Burmese Language – a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in officially by Burmese nationals in an attempt to reconnect the language with its native speakers.

Sorry for your Loss

Sorry for your Loss

Compound Interest

In the society of precarious, financial instability remains the primary source of anxiety and constraint for families from lower income households. Lacking adequate financial literacy, these households struggle to maintain a decent quality of life while battling through the imposed stigma of being branded as social deviants. These public interventions are promoted as ‘exceptional’ rather than ‘universal’ and often comes with a hefty consequence of a laborious application process only to be compensated with short-term monetary reliefs. Therefore, the chronic and unfulfilled needs of marginalised households are rarely resolved in a sustainable way. Compound Interest is an alternative educational programme designed to empower and refine financial literacy among youths from marginalised families. Adapting a non-hierarchical mode of learning, youths can choose to customise and stack their own curriculum. The programme dispenses personalised educational content to its subscribers through various platforms. In this self-sustaining model, the knowledge that youths have acquired through the programme can be redistributed back into their respective households. Accomplishment is therefore measured through cycles of intention, creation, reflection and sharing. The programme aims to rethink the experiences of low-income families as people with the capacity to learn and change, not as clients and recipients in dire need of help and charity.

Compound Interest

Compound Interest

The Hidden Cost

Plastic wastage is the responsibility of many. There are a lot of stakeholders involved: from consumers who mindlessly consume and hoard plastic bags to corporations who leverage on the cheap production of the plastic bags. Lured by its modest pricing and short-lived convenience, we have failed to account for the hidden cost of plastic bags: one that inflicts irreversible damage to our environment and wildlife. The Hidden Cost is a project which aims to expose the implications of plastic consumption by redesigning the current display of plastic bags. The project seeks to purpose an alternative approach to curb consumption through the alternation of everyday products – in this case, it is the appearance of the plastic bags. The design of the bag is kept minimal with a series of typographic messages which displays a “cost” upfront. These costs are derived from the pressing environmental and societal side effects of plastic wastage. The messages will claim the space previously occupied by the oversized logos of household brands. The newly designed plastic bags act as a visual reminder, projecting cumulative casualties of plastic waste driven by mass consumption. The projection will hopefully trigger consumer behaviour and provoke change.

The Hidden Cost

Generis

Generis is a hybrid font created by combining two the unlikely typefaces – Futura and Kleist-fraktur. Futura is a geometric sans-serif typeface widely used during the Bauhaus movement while Kleist-fraktur is a blackletter typeface. Generis attempts to confront the tension between two distinct families of typeface by recreating a less rigid type in which the geometric contours meet the sharp display curves. It incorporates the geometric base of the Latin letterforms while preserving the calligraphic strokes of blackletter types. The integration of the san-serif softens the sharp edges and tones down the highly ornamented details of the blackletter. Generis is, therefore, a blend of Latin and German typestyles – two conflicting letterforms, culturally, politically and aesthetically. The result is a pleasing hybrid which inhabits the qualities of order and expression.

Generis

Re-imagining Typography in Academic Writing

This project investigates if typography could aid the reader in understanding academic writings better. Textures are created in the paragraph when exaggerations are made to signify a keyword, grasping the reader's attention. The layout and presentation of the article is also reformulated, in hopes to invoke a new experience in the rather mundane task of reading.

Re-imagining Typography in Academic Writing

Re-imagining Typography in Academic Writing

Makan Typeface

In the current Singapore society, social class is one of the most prevalent fault line. This issue is even more jarring now with the pandemic, as many lost their jobs while others stay peering over their ivory tower. This type hopes to unite Singaporeans in our common love for our food culture and shared food spaces. In remembering our commonalities, differences will pale in comparison.

Makan Typeface

Makan Typeface

four thirty nine Magazine

"Let me know how fleeting my life is..." We've heard of this mantra: live fast, die young. It highlights the superficiality and reckless nature of our world. However, this time we have can be so easily ended as well. This magazine aims to be a paradigm shift in perspective for the contemplation of time; a reminder that life is precious and what we do with it can has an impact. Live meaningfully, die fulfilled.

four thirty nine Magazine

four thirty nine Magazine

Realitea

Existing in our twenties, I feel that some form of Quarter-Life Crisis lives in each of us, and it's perfectly normal. Some have it harder than others, but I wish to look at this 'condition' light-heartedly, and try to have fun with it.

Realitea

Identity.

Realitea

The menu features various flavours that customers get to choose what they feel they need in their day.

Realitea

A 3D rendering of envisioned bottle

Unappreciated Maps

Maps have become more than just a tool for us when we’re lost or when we have places to go. However, it remains something quite a niche topic or subject. I believe that maps are also narratives. The goal is to provide a new way of looking at maps and building a sense of appreciation of maps in people.

They See U

Imitation is a key in any child's learning and development. Hence the idea that parents need to lead by example is crucial, and most parents recognize that. Most.

They See U

However, I'm not convinced that ALL parents are actively aware of it. As such, this publication servers as a reinforcement or reminder. The aim is to cultivate the habit of recycling and to reduce the use of plastics. Having said that, parents have to sacrifice a degree of convenience that they once had, to give their child a foreseeably better world to live in the future.

Travel Receipt

With the influence of fast and suggestive figure drawing techniques and compilation of photos of my adventures in Glasgow, I illustrated my journey with a continuous line drawing on a receipt roll. My aim for this project is to merchandise it like a gift in a museum shop where it could be more relatable to the public.

Travel Receipt

An object of nostalgia and remembrance of places of interest.

The In-Between

A simple Question of Inhabitation: What would happen in that in-between space between modern corporate shops and traditional strata shops? How would the audience from each typology interact with one another? How would the intended program in the in-between space turn out? The in-between space isn't solely owned by either party. A no man's land.

Corporate

Elevation 1 of the intended proposed design of the In-Between space.

Strata

Elevation 2 of the intended proposed design of the In-Between space.

Changing Home

A simple Question of Inhabitation: Shouldn't space be determined by the play and inhabitation of the users rather than the play and inhabitation of the users to be determined by the space layout? Boundaries and Territories are always referred to as built-in and rigid structures. Boundaries and Territories should be easily moved around to cater to the ever-changing needs of the audience.

Changing Home- An Axo

An axonometric overview of the intended proposed design.

Kitchen

A movable kitchen wall/cabinet that can extend the use of the kitchen and dining space or to minimize it in order to use the extra space for other activities.

Gym & Art

Likewise a movable gym wall/cabinet acts as a door for two rooms, and when not in use can be extended to facilitate gym and art activities.

The transition of light to this sacred corridor

The light guides us and sets the mood. “In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.” By Le Corbusier.

At a state-of-mind

The lighting goes seamlessly through our journey. At the start, the lights define the familiarity between us and the object that represents the dead.

The movement of bricks

The attention of the loose bricks starts to reunite as we walk further into the corridor, creating a wall of memories.

The transition back to reality

At the end of the journey. The brick wall starts to lose its tension and fades off to the lights, that transits us back to reality and daily routine.

Roof Terrace of Chong Pang Community Club

Located away from the crowd and noise of the community club, the unused roof terrace creates the opportunity to take us away from our hectic and stressful lives to peace and relaxation. Natural-like and flowing water feature helps to set the mood of this space.

Pods for 2

Pods for two is where personal information are keep safe, with the adjustable soundproof curtains the amount of privacy can be controlled. The fabric paper on the outsides blurs our identity to make us feel comfortable and confident.

Pods for 5

Pods for five is where a small group can exchange ideas and remarks. This idea was inspired by the Japanese seating culture. In this case, we are submerging ourselves, making us feel like we are diving into our journey of overcoming our loss.

Pods for 9

Pods for nine is the maximum amount of people that a counsellor can handle on the topic of grief. The gap between the ceiling and the pod allows us to look out to the sky and view the movements of the clouds as we overcome our thoughts.

HOME, TOO

Location: Interior design studio @ SIT, TP. When i first spoke to a group of migrant construction workers, it sparked off the idea of wanting to find out more about how one feels a sense of homeliness and how do one build their own home away from home. In his book titled "HOME: A SHORT HISTORY OF AN IDEA", Rybczynski compares the sense of homeliness to an onion. Onions are simple on the outside but complex on the inside, like homeliness, when dissected - it just does not make any sense and it cannot be measured. Anyone can recognise the sense of homeliness but have troubles explaining why they like it. However, he states that the Onion theory of comfort (domestic comfort) is essentially about convenience, efficiency, leisure, ease, pleasure, domesticity, intimacy and privacy. As my first project, i would want to find out how do one create a sense of home in the most minimal amount of space away from home. Everyone has a certain sense of attachment to a certain place, as for me, I decided to use my school's studio as my chosen site. The studio is where students spend most of their day there (design intervention can be used in offices and classrooms also) and my design intervention draws inspiration from our very own bedroom spaces. The way how i approached my intervention is based on these 4 main pointers: 1. the different degrees of private/ public spaces 2. the control over your own boundaries 3. the flexibility of space for interaction between people 4. the need for personalization of objects.This table shows the exploration of new materials in co-relation to the modules proposed.

HOME, TOO

In due respect to the current layout of the studio and not break the openness, I did a minor addition to the existing space. I implemented a grid ceiling that holds several elements in which the user can pull down/ take out to configure their own desired space and outcome. This current view shows the plastic netting (made out of deconstructed ziplock bags) acting as a form of partition when pulled down, hence the user can configure it based on their preferred privacy level.

HOME, TOO

The modular blocks are made out of material scraps found around the studio, all wrapped up inside a sewn-together ziplock bag. These blocks can be used however the user prefers - lying down, sitting, leaning, etc.

PLASTEAC

Location: Tekka centre Ultimately, to build the essence of home is about the people and I personally feel the need for not only the Migrant Workers, but also our own locals to not chase the papers but build communities instead. . I drew a parallel of our very own living and dining room where our families commune. Hence, I decided to use Tekka Market as my site as it is a public commune space. Having their vision as the "People’s Market" and a wide variety of audience, it made a good touch point to promote it as a space for interaction and communing there. Also,Tekka Market is home to the Migrant Workers during Sundays. My design intervention and program intends to push optimisation and promote this movement where we make use of things around us to build our own homes anywhere as a community. As there are several tea shops in the vicinity, I have chosen to promote tea culture into the space as tea is a common multi-cultural element and a good catalyst for conversation starters. The scattered layout contrasts with the traditional linear layout so as to give a sense of adventure to the patrons in the space to go around and attend different tea related workshops and source for the different flowers and herbs available for tea blending.

PLASTEAC

Plastic crates are readily available in the wet market and hawker centre. Inspired by the stacking of crates in the existing space, this terrain is where people can enjoy a different dining experience as compared to the original hawker seating. Patrons can also forage from the hanging down plants and from the crates.

PLASTEAC

This space holds the various workshops - tea-infused cooking workshop in the open kitchen, tea dye fabric and paper workshop. Also, this is where patrons blend their foraged herbs or flowers with tea here, This various workshops are marked out by the various coloured scrap fabrics canopy hanging down, In which, the fabrics are sourced from the 2nd storey retail area.

RE-KEA

The existing sewing service is instead, incorporated into the space to be used for sewing workshops. The exisiting walls separating the AS-IS section to the customer service area is removed so that the patrons do not have to walk through the whole of IKEA just to get to the exit.The netting on top acts a dumping ground of the unwanted furniture parts and celebrates the “unsightly” instead.

Location: IKEA (Tampines), AS-IS section To create a home away from home, one just requires a community and they would be resourceful to find what’s around them to build their own shelter. Applying what I have explored from my previous 2 projects, I chose IKEA as the first baby step to promote this movement for the masses to learn and apply it to their daily lives. IKEA pride themselves as a DIY company, however everything is still controlled based on what generates income - from their store layout that restricts consumers from walking around freely and the products flat-packed for one to build. People are drawn to IKEA’s products as when one DIYs, they build a stronger sense of accomplishment and attachment to the product. However, if one deconstructs IKEA’s furniture, you would realize that they actually use found materials, hidden beneath the mask of a capitalist / a major company supporting capitalism. Hence, i would want to further push the idea of DIY - just by being resourceful and make use of any found objects/ materials lying around your own and piece them yourself, you might even get a more durable furniture that you can personalize and feel a bigger sense of achievement. I would like patrons to find more value in the furnitures of IKEA's AS-IS section. That section is already strategically placed near the exit, with its main purpose is to sell rejected or defected goods from customers.Issues: underutilized recycling area, wrapping station and sewing service could serve more purpose, the as-is section is just not curated as compared to the self-serve furniture area. Materials I could consider to use: the IKEA catalogue, the FRAKTA shopping bags and the free pencils and rulers.

RE-KEA

The broken ‘frakta’ bags are repurposed by sewing them together to form a partition. It can even store the loose furniture parts for patrons to create our very own furniture by piecing them themselves. The Original MALM bed is placed beside the DIY bed to serve as inspiration for the patrons to configure their own furnitures. The exisiting underutilized wrapping station outside is instead, incoporated into the space and scattered around the whole area to be used for DIYfurniture and wrapping workshops.

RE-KEA

The wall is made of the scrap furniture parts, and the gaps creates a sense of semi-privacy between the as-is section and the staff area. With the power of repetition, even to the micro level - the free IKEA pencils, can be repurposed to form a ceiling feature for zoning, or a work mat or even a partition to give a little more privacy for the user using the sewing machine.

Collage of Model Exploration

The first project aims to challenge the idea of slowness in a fast-paced transitional space. Here is a collage of form exploration to explore how the repetition of forms slow down the users of a space.

Collage of Materiality Exploration

A collage of exploration using different types of translucent and transparent materials to incorporate in the space.

Line Drawing of Intervention

Atelier Bow-Wow inspired line drawing of the installation design of the ceiling incorporated in the transit area.

Slowness in a Transitional Space

The final image depicts how the ceiling installation would look like. It may seem like fabric or a dreamscape to some; it allows users of the space to imagine and ponder what the design could be and to appreciate the materiality at the same time.

Passage of Time

A conceptual representation of how the lighting condition will be throughout the whole day. The lighting mimics the movement of the sun during the day, creating a different experience within the same space.

Exploration of Textures and Patterns

The second project is to create a homestay within the context of a Housing Development Board flat in Singapore as a temporal pause from the busyness of everyday life. Plaster casting that explores different textures and patterns The intention is to create textures that attempt to speak of the passage of time throughout the day.

Re-arrangement of Spaces

The walls of the space are reorganised to have the living spaces in the middle. This creates a longer walkway for users to slow down their pace. Panels with different degrees of translucency are added to offer privacy and invoke curiosity as one walks through the corridor space.

Conceptual Model of framing and materiality.

A model exploration using framing as well as different degrees of transparency to slow users within the space. By using framing and translucent materials, it allows users to be cautious, but allowing exploration within the space. This creates different experiences as well as different views one can experience within the same space.

Sectional Elevation of the Home-Stay

Sectional elevation view that shows different degrees of transparency and wooden panels that offers privacy as well as invokes a sense of curiosity for users in the space.

Corridor Space

The corridor view when one interacts with the translucent washi paper. It offers privacy as well as invokes a sense of curiosity for users in the space.

To Rest and Ponder

Small pods for users to sit ponder and rest as well.

Different Degrees of Translucency

The bedroom where fluted glass panels are placed to offer privacy as well as to continue creating different degrees of translucency throughout the space.

Layering of Spaces

A small garden is placed in the middle, separating both living spaces.

A collage that shows the overall aim of the project which is to understand the sensorial needs of hypersensitive individuals with autism and support them in spaces where they transit into an existing community.

Exploration of the spatial qualities of the communal garden by thinking through making.

In case of sensory overload within the community centre, hypersensitive individuals with autism could use the lounge, which is designed as a therapeutic healing space with interior elements that promote mental curiosity and stimulate the desire of experiencing the space.

The second part of the project is a redesigned hawker centre. The food stalls are placed within the high-stress areas while the seating area is placed nearer to the low-stress areas. The two areas are separated with the main circulation path. This redefines a spatial hierarchy which would help hypersensitive individuals with autism.

Seats that allows configuration are integrated with the redesigned hawker centre. The seats can be converted into booth seating if hypersensitive individuals with autism require a space of a sense of enclosure.

Pause spaces with seating are added into the hawker centre to provide opportunities for prospect while consuming meals. These pause spaces are clearly distinguished with a ring of landscape design which also helps with odour abatement.

The third part of the project is a community library. The library cantilevers above the communal garden, blurs the transition of exterior spaces into interior spaces and creates an inclusive environment for the local community.

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone is a project that aims to improve the standards of gathering spaces. By looking at the liveability of an interior space through the users’ comfort and the overall spatial layout, a design intervention would be developed. Proposed design would then be applied to three sites with different typologies, and this aims to maximise the user experience of such spaces.

Recurring Language

The design language of ‘Steps’ has been identified to be a suitable design element that can evoke a sense of comfort in interior spaces. It does so by introducing the idea of ‘Versatility’ into the users’ experience. This element was then incorporated into the design interventions throughout each of the three sites, serving as a connection that links the seemingly different proposals together.

Don't Tell Me How To Study

Don’t Tell Me How To Study is a library project that aims to break the studying conventions of a library space. Proposed at Jurong Regional Library, the project focuses on promoting ‘Physical Comfort’ through the intervention of a steps design which creates a versatile study space, and ‘Visual Comfort’ with the incorporation of a uniform design language throughout the whole site.

Don't Tell Me How To Study

All forms of structural elements such as walls and doors on the site are removed, resulting in the steps intervention spanning across the library. Different spaces such as walking paths and areas to read books are thus all integrated and taking place at the same area.

Don't Tell Me How To Study

The stairs intervention is a safe design that, while appropriate for a library reading area, seems to be too ‘sensible’ aesthetically. A dose of ‘fun’ in the form of box features was thus added into the otherwise boring space. While they stand out, these box features are still in keeping with the sense of uniformity created by the ‘steps’ intervention.

Rest Well, Shop Again

Rest Well, Shop Again is a project proposed in Jurong East Mall (JEM). Although located in a shopping mall, this project focuses on the communal area in the mall’s Basement 1 floor and how well can shoppers rest in this given space. Hence, the proposal aims to inject a sense of calmness into the hectic mall environment, while attempting to blend into the mall surroundings.

Rest Well, Shop Again

Water is used as the medium to evoke calmness. Being a powerful sensory element, the use of water here was kept subtle to prevent it from overpowering the existing site. The intervention attempts to blend into the site, and thus the effects of water could only be experienced when shoppers use the space. Sensory characteristics such as sounds of water falling are also used to maximise the potential of water.

Rest Well, Shop Again

The shopping mall has walkways which are too restricted to be used as communal areas. Instead of forcefully doing so, subtle elements such as ceiling designs are instead incorporated into these spaces to create a visual link that ties the entire floor together. With this, the functions of the walkways are retained.

Sit Down Talk

Sit Down Talk is a project that aims to improve the comfort of the overall dining experience in a neighbourhood coffeeshop. Proposed to be at the Broadway Coffeeshop at Blk 286 Toh Guan Road, the project emphasizes on using the notion of ‘Decentralization’, an aspect that modern day coffeeshops lack, to bring back the coffeeshops’ original intention of being a welcoming space for everyone to gather and mingle.

Sit Down Talk

The site also presents an opportunity for a semi outdoor dining experience. This dining experience is emphasized with the selection of cork as the flooring material. Cork flooring provides a comfortable sitting platform for users, thus encouraging them to gather and sit on the floor. Not only does this freedom of choice emphasize on the sense of community, it also creates a versatile dining space that prioritizes the diners’ experience.

Space in Place

My idea of Space in Place in a Collage from

Place in Space

My idea of Place in Space in Collage form

A take of a Modern + Historical Reading Place

A Perspective view of Modern + Historical Reading Space

A take of a Modern + Historical Reading Place

Perspective view of Modern + Historical Reading Space

A take of a Modern + Historical Reading Place

Perspective view of Modern + Historical Reading Space

A Step to a better Reading Environment

Perspective View of a steps / reading space / Amphitheater

A Step to a better Reading Environment

Perspective View of a steps / reading space / Amphitheater

A Step to a better Reading Environment

Perspective View of a steps / reading space / Amphitheater

A Step to a better Reading Environment

Perspective View of a steps / reading space / Amphitheater

The norm of working

This is so apt in this moment of a worldwide pandemic where we are all forced to stay home, work from home and work from our limited desk. Humans are the most adaptable creature in the world, we went from agriculture to a capitalist society in such immense speed. What lies in the future of work?

Adaptive Living

Most of us are comfortable in our homes because it is a place to unwind after a full day out. It is a place where our true character unveils itself. Walter Benjamin famous phrase “to dwell is to leave traces” applies to most spaces, but especially in our dwelling, our home.

Spatial Use

When we micro-analyse our space usage, the original intent of the space ended up suiting our needs instead. A room turns into a workspace or a store. A dining table turns into a study table. A coffee table turns into a dining table. How users define the use of these objects and spaces are different in every household.

Embracing the mess

A collaged utopian world of what embracing all our assumed flaws and mess could be. A messy table with a conveyor belt of endless items. A house filled with surveillance cameras. A living room with clothes piled up. The lounging seat with extension plug becomes one with the wall filled without enough socket to charge all the devices at home. A balcony filled with cigarette butts that must be cleared away every day.

Life vs. Play

In the functional bus interchange, what difference does it make when life gets injected into the space. Through play elements, biophilia elements, art installations or localized bustling coffeeshop? The robotic-like functionality of the space was disturbing. The fact that we are all part of the system of dropping off and picking up points made the idea of this standard bus interchange boring and monotonous.

Interventions

A myriad of intervention designed for a functional bus interchange. It aimed to diminish the efficiency of the space by injecting elements of life, fun and play. Where kids can play, where adults can sit.

Elemental Examination

If interventions are placed in a non-obstructive manner to ensure the efficiency of the space, is that how we can celebrate pluralism? If the intervention lies within a commuter’s walking area, how would the commuter adapt? Take a longer path? Possibly.

Life

The act of playfulness in a bus interchange does not align with the stringent requirements of what a bus interchange should be. But why should bus interchanges all look the same?

The Men's Mall

A collage of *SCAPE in its current condition. In our fast-paced city-state, economic development occurs an unprecedented rate. To keep up and increase density, the wasteful practice of replacing older buildings with new ones is considered the norm. Existing properties are also under constant pressure to renovate and upgrade to keep relevant. The purpose of this project is to speculate the possibilities of how under-utilised spaces in *SCAPE can be readaptedto give it a new breath of life.

The Men's Mall

Site map of *SCAPE and its surrounding in Orchard Road.

The Men's Mall

Process. Sketches and ideation of how the users will be moving through the space with swinging walls and display fixtures.

The Men's Mall

A diagram on layout studies that will be adopted in the Men’s Mall. (top) A maze layout has a fixed path and a maze of spaces for product displays. It also extends the distance users traveled in the store. (middle) A grid layout, most common in stores as it is very convenient and speedy. (bottom) Freeform layout facilitate in exploration and brings users to visit more parts in the store

The Men's Mall

Layout Plan of the Men’s Mall.

The Men's Mall

Interior of the high-end men’s fashion store. A tightly curated selection of products is displayed, encouraging customers to explore other parts of the store.

The Men's Mall

Interior of the high-end men’s fashion store. A tightly curated selection of products is displayed, encouraging customers to explore other parts of the store.

The Men's Mall

The Fashion Gallery is a flexible space that can be converted to suit various events such as workshops, seminars and product displays and aims to increase the awareness of the brand’s philosophy.