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1. What inspired Design
Culture? When did it first launch?
I initiated Design Culture as a result to the magazines, design
books and websites I come across. I launched the section around
May 2002, a month after my website was online. I didn't want the
site to be self-indulgent; talking about my work per se but to provide
an insight on what's happening around the design scene. And because
the web medium is limitless and free, I thought it was a good chance
for to showcase designers whom I admire and respect for their work.
At the same time, to raise about awareness not only to the local
community in Singapore but globally. I think of it as a magazine
/book where I get to assume the role of an 'editor'. To date, it
has garnered 122 designers around the world. I really appreciate
those wonderful people who have participated and willing to contribute
their work despite their hectic schedule.
2. Who's work have you seen grow and evolve the most since their
showcase on Design
Culture?
Believe it or not, majority of the designers has already progressed
even before they were even featured on the section. I'm not trying
to sound diplomatic here but if you visit any of the their sites,
there's always updates on the work section regularly. Their output
is amazing and you could feel the passion in their work whether
it's a commissioned project or non-commercial. |
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3. What can you tell us about Texelse
Boys and the project "They're here as you can see"?
The TexelseBoys are a Dutch collective, the co-founders are
Marcel Kampman, Jaap Bossen & Mathijn de Zwaan. The project
was named after an original 27 years old bag of a Catholic soccer
team which doesn't exist anymore. The bag was bought at a trunksale
for 5 euro on Texel (nearby Caluna, a leisure pool on the island).
It started as a project where Dutch musicians were invited to make
remixes with beats and samples. Along with the music video's would
be made, but now this project has expanded to a platform for all
kinds of creative people around the world. The two postcards and
wallpaper I created were based around visual puns, that's were the
lines "They're here... & " Too close for comfort"
derived from. Not forgetting it was a good excuse to wrap the heads
with the TXL bag based in the situation they're in. I intend to
create a series of 5, all re-touched to achieve the desired aesthetic.
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4. Tell us about your
"Environmental Products" project. What considerations
do you have to keep in mind
when developing imagery that will be output at such a large size?
Our client provides advanced electrical systems for buildings &
homes. We had to portray it as a progressive and innovative brand
without the coldness; it has to be emotive at some point. With environmental
work, we need to re-create an end-user experience, at the same time
demonstrate the usability and infinite possibilities with their
products. The space that our client acquired in their showroom has
that capacity to prove it. What we did was to amplify and categorize
each 6 environments and their respective product range. We also
integrated the visual elements onto print collaterals to support
and reinforce the branding.
5. How would you describe the art and design community in Singapore?
Singapore doesn't have a rich cultural foundation unlike the States
or United Kingdom, we established late during the late 60's. It
used to be in a depressing state (to me, I guess ) even till the
late 80's and early 90s; there wasn't much interaction between designers,
agencies and the like. Everyone practically kept to themselves or
were afraid to explore new avenues of design. But suddenly things
start to pick up, our overseas peers influenced us; or should I
say we were compelled to do better. We wanted to challenge ourselves
to push the envelope for a better ideas work environment; good creative
projects etc. Soon everyone was starting to do their thing and as
we went along experiences were shared. These led to multi-disciplinary
approaches and project collaborations among designers were rapid.
During this time we've also seen local fashion labels established
like Woods & Woods, streetwear labels Fourskin, Hooked Clothing.
Design collectives like Phunk Studio and photographers like John
Clang and Geoff Ang who've all made it big overseas with their groundbreaking
work. There's never been a better time.
6. Please tell us about National
Service.
It's a weird policy set up by the local authorities. Once we've
completed our tertiary education (for me, its Art school), we will
be required to be enlisted to the local Army and serve two and a
half years full-time. The term they call as 'National Service.'
It's an offence not to report and you'll be thrown in the slammer
and subject to criminal prosecution if you don't. So practically
we've not been doing anything productive for the past two and a
half years; just learning to be a 'lean mean fighting machine'.
After it's over, we're still required to return to our yearly 'bootcamp'
training until the age of 40. And on top of that, there's this physical
fitness test we have to go through yearly as well.
7. Has this had an affect on you as a designer?
Definitely, it fucks up our work schedule at some point and
even our daily lives; and not forgetting making the mind stagnant. |
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8. "Rockers head-bang.
Pubescent teens rebel. Neglected wives shop." What is Knstrck?
That phrase defines a specific characteristic for a specific group
of people. Knstrck is a t-shirt label set up early last year with
an ex-colleague without large ambitions. It's another medium we
always wanted to explore & also to develop our own designs,
and most importantly be proud to put it on ourselves. It's a transparent
'space' where we can develop our own aesthetics and curiousity takes
over. Design is not always about going commercial.
9. What was the last great movie you have seen and what was the
last great cd you have listened to?
Two movies: Irreversible
and Lost
In Translation. Good script, impeccable art direction and
cinematography and the soundtrack matches the movie so well.
Music: I've always loved the releases from Fabric club
in London (www.fabriclondon.com).
It's quality electronica and dance music minus the cheese, and
their set list is eclectic. They also create artwork for their
CD sleeves and flyers which stands out above the rest.
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