Knowledge That Binds is an investigation into the craft of bookbinding through the lens of a designer, to foster appreciation and encourage creatives to engage in the craft.
Often overlooked in the hands of readers, bookbinding is an essential part of holding pages of information together. Books were initially bound by hand in the past before industrialisation introduced machinery and automated much of the process. As such, the craft of hand bookbinding has dwindled into a niche profession and a hobby.
Despite the decline of hand bookbinding, the craft is still relevant to creatives as it is frequently used in student projects and artist books in the art and design scene. It is a significant skill used for artist books and design publications, hence, it is important to promote the art of bookbinding in Singapore amongst creatives so that more creatives can engage with and develop a deeper appreciation for the craft. Learning about hand bookbinding techniques and binding methods from the past can also provide inspiration for contemporary designers and artists who are interested in exploring the art of bookbinding. By studying traditional binding techniques, one can gain a greater understanding of the materials, tools, and methods used in bookbinding.
This project seeks to study existing hand bookbinding techniques and aims to relook at hand bookbinding techniques for designers and artists who self-produce books and can benefit from hand bookbinding as a creative expression.
Little Beings is a personal art project that centres around gut feelings. It is a series of characters that tell the stories of our gut feelings happening within our subconscious minds. The series is 3D rendered art toy figurines, which depict various gut feelings in different colours and designs suited to the characters. The project challenges the notion that gut feelings are irrational and unreliable. They serve as a reminder that intuition is a powerful tool that should not be dismissed or ignored. Each figurine represents a different gut feeling, Companion, Hero, Gambler, or Caregiver and tells true stories based on real-life experiences.
Our sixth sense can be a valuable tool in certain circumstances. However, this has been dusted under the carpet and overlooked as it has yet to be logically and scientifically proven. Although gut feelings are not always reliable, most people still make decisions based on their gut feelings to help them navigate complex situations.
The project uses an online platform to serve as a space to tell each character’s stories and display how each character tackles problems.
Overall, the personal art project aims to spark a conversation among Generation Z about the significance of gut feelings. Using art toy figurines and an online platform, the project hopes to inspire individuals to trust their instincts and recognise the power of intuition in their daily lives. Hence, gaining more self-confidence to make better decisions.
Hair texture inclusivity is a growing concern in Singapore, where diverse hair types are often overlooked in mainstream beauty and fashion industries. Textures of Being is a project that aims to promote greater understanding and acceptance of natural hair in Singapore, and to challenge prevailing beauty standards that prioritise Eurocentric beauty ideals. This project encourages more ‘hair inclusive’ conversations and hopes to educate the general masses about the beauty of textured hair. It is also an opportunity to showcase the stories and experiences of people living in a straight hair world like Singapore; and most importantly, to create a sense of appreciation for the textured hair community.
Stereotypes and biases often take a nuanced way of showing themselves in our modern community. I think we all remember that age-old joke about men being the more emotional gender, right? Often, these casual remarks and jokes are gleaned over by society, with justifications by the naysayer that they have been factually supported and proven for years. The recent spotlight on policies, such as the White Paper has ignited growing conversations on gender bias in our Singaporean society, particularly on women, the workplace, and how they navigate the double bind bias. However, it is important to recognise that bias can occur in workspaces of any kind, and that bias can come from anyone regardless of gender identity.
Sorry To Burst Your Bubble is a campaign that aims to raise awareness on the ignorantly sexist yet comically funny sentences that get said to women. It will specifically focus on the gender bias experienced by women taking up university student leadership roles. It will explore the various forms of double bind bias that women face, such as the pressure to conform to traditional gender roles while also displaying leadership qualities. The campaign will utilise satire and illustration to visualise the pervasive bias that often goes overlooked and dismissed.
Overall, the project seeks to challenge the societal norms that perpetuate gender bias and empower women to confront these issues. By highlighting these issues, the project aims to spark meaningful conversations about gender bias and inspire action toward creating a more equitable and inclusive society.
Orchidaceae is a project rooted in Singapore’s strong relations with the orchid plant. Through the lens of a Singaporean narrative, this project delves into and documents the role of these perennial plants in our national history. The project features ‘agnes’, a refined font that blends the natural features of Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, with practical legibility. It is named after the orchid’s creator and is well-suited for use in prominent areas of posters or headers, as well as smaller body text. This adaptable typeface is offered in three weights, ranging from light to bold, and in a regular italic style.
