Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects one’s ability to read, spell and write. Research in the UK has shown that 85% of dyslexics have reported being embarrassed by their condition because they are often misunderstood to be “stupid and lazy.” Given that dyslexia is a lifelong condition, most sufferers develop low self-esteem and social anxiety during childhood and this persists into adulthood.
The designer of this project is dyslexic and have experienced ill-effects of the conditions as a child. She believes that it is imperative that dyslexic children must learn to embrace and be aware of their conditions while they are young in order to better cope with the challenges that they will face as they transit into adulthood.
This project is the result of her own first-hand experience as a dyslexic and by working together with the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS), it aims to help dyslexic children between 7 – 10 years old to dispel negative connotations associated with the diagnosis. Separating facts from myths is her approach to help dyslexic children identify their strengths and weaknesses and in doing so, help them develop better self-confidence as they transit into adulthood.
Physical toys seem to be disappearing and being neglected by the new generations replaced by technology. They are taken for granted, not valued or appreciated, disappearing and replaced by digital devices, mainly because of the ignorance about the values that they teach us. In this project, there will be a creation of toys, posters, stickers, and motion graphics to not only engage their sense of touch but also their sense of sight and hearing. Creativity, role-playing, arts and craft skills will also be taught when engaging with the toys I created. Play is a fundamental part of life in children when it comes to developing these skills that peak during their childhood. It is through play that assists them to learn more about the world around them. With this in mind, my project will propel them to equip these skillsets and build their fine motor skills while allowing them to enjoy play.
Sproutly is a zero-waste packaging concept whereby the packaging waste can be planted instead of being thrown away. The packaging is 100% compostable, made with recycled paper, and embedded with seeds. As such, the packaging biodegrades, and the seeds within it germinate when planted.
The main findings show that supermarkets are flooding the planet with single-use plastics to portion out products conveniently and cheaply for consumption. A significant fraction of recyclable materials still ends up in landfills.
This project addresses the need to have more recycling by creating biodegradable packaging to prevent the worsening of the Global Waste Crisis(GWC).
The proposition is to create packaging for dried grocery goods that is compostable and embedded with seeds. This packaging concept allows consumers to engage in an autonomous recycling system at home by recycling packaging waste from the grocery product while nurturing plants.
Surveys helped with understanding the recycling behaviour of consumers. Recycling bins and reusing jars are the most common recycling method amongst those already recycling. Those who did not recycle lacked access to recycling bins or time to separate recyclables. Nonetheless, Sproutly’s zero-waste packaging can cater to both these groups. Most of those surveyed were willing to buy the item with recyclable packaging over the one that comes in standard packaging for the same product. Hence, this concept could serve as a method in curbing the waste crisis.
Further, this concept has the potential to be manipulated for other applications. Businesses can modify and apply the material to their preexisting materials such as print and packaging. Since many businesses are focusing on going green, this concept serves as a viable option. There is excellent potential for plantable packaging application, which can be a significant opportunity to minimize waste production effectively.
Divorce rates in Singapore have been increasing and most cases occur between 5 to 9 years of marriage. Divorce can cause lifelong effects and various adverse impacts on a child. Children’s emotional needs and feelings are often neglected when their parents split. When that happens, these children often face different forms of trauma and emotional instability due to new stressors such as worry, fear, and uncertainty. Known to be one of the ACEs, which stands for Adverse Children Experiences, various studies and reports from the Ministry of Social and Family Development have shown that divorce can cause different problems in children, which have a lasting impact and affects them through to adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this project is to enable children to process and express their feelings when their parents are divorced, by developing an interactive children storybook as a tool for them to share and navigate their emotions.
Family has always been a significant aspect in Chinese culture. In Singapore, the importance of family and the values it upholds in both personal and societal aspects have been reinforced repeatedly by the government and have been actively promoted since the 90s. Family in Singapore has been defined as the “basic building blocks” of the society (Tan, 2012) and will continue to remain so in the growth of the society as a whole. As the country advances and becomes increasingly westernised, there remains a portion of Chinese population that holds traditional beliefs and values left from the generation before.
Navigating: Home explores the idea of growing up in a traditional Singaporean Chinese family culture and the experiences one would face with regards to traditional values and methods of upbringing, from the perspective of a younger generation Singaporean. The project seeks to visualise and document the common experiences faced in a traditional Singaporean Chinese family culture in contrast with modernised ideas.
The project ultimately aims to consolidate a guide as an appreciation for the traditional Singaporean Chinese family past experiences and culture, and at the same time, provide tips and coping mechanisms for intergenerational conflicts faced in a traditional Singaporean Chinese co-habiting family space. This is done in hopes of bringing together people of similar backgrounds, encouraging appreciation for the traditional Singaporean Chinese family culture and lastly, formation of better family relationships in the future.
