Reaching Out, Vietnam
The re-designing of Reaching Out corporate identity was initiated through Nanyang Technological University’s Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) programme, done with the supervision of Dr. Nanci Takeyama.
Reaching Out is a social enterprise that was started by Mr. Lê Nguyên Bình, a person with physically disabilities, to empower other people with physical disabilities by means of training and employment. Located at Hoi An, the workshop and store, that operates on the principle of fair trade, makes and sells high quality handicraft products. Their store is recognised for their Vietnamese hospitality, and their artisanal, eco-friendly and high quality products.
The new logo is the result of a confluence of inspiration—the diaper pattern or thunder pattern that is prevalent in Vietnamese visual culture, as well as the hands of the craftsmen and women that make the products sold in Reaching Out. The hand motif speaks of the artisanal quality and handmade perfection that is central to Reaching Out. The two hands placed in a swirling motif reinforces fair trade concept and the organisation’s slogon: gifts that gives twice. The two hands coming together is like the meeting of different cultures that take place in Reaching Out. It is also how the purchase of the products can empower and improve the lives of the craftswomen and men there.
The illustration style of the hands and typeface chosen for the logo all attempts to exude a Vietnamese quality. This is because a product from Reaching Out is also a gift from Vietnam to the visitors who have come to experience the beauty and gentleness of Vietnam.
VIS350 Graphic Design IV “Issues” Project, 2010
The campaign was built on the context of embracing Singlish as a Singaporean cultural identity. There were two other objectives: to recycle old stuff and also for a social good. The core of the campaign surrounds a pasar malam where products made by a HDB community out of used/old materials will be sold, at another HDB community.
The pasar malam becomes the conduit where Singaporeans can be rallied to be proud to use Singlish, and purchased hand-made Singlish-themed products. Money raised will go towards a community project of choice.
This project was done in collaboration with Elena Yeo and Heng Shao Ning.
VIS320 Graphic Design III, 2009
I conceptualised a boutique matcha dessert restaurant for this school assignment. The core of the concept is derived from my research in chanoyu and its Zen Buddhist roots.
VIS370 Corporate Identity, 2009
In this semester-long assignment, May Lim and I collaborated and re-designed the identity for Sagacity Arts and Crafts, a local arts and craft store with a long history in Singapore. In the initial discussion with the company, there were talks of re-branding the store to cater to the increasing number of local tertiary design students.
However, the assignment remained as a proposal as discussions with the company did not come to fruition.
Earth Observatory of Singapore Logo Competition, 2009
I submitted three logo designs for the Earth Observatory of Singapore Logo Design Competition. The logos were based on weather symbols and the globe, focusing on the Southeast Asian region.
The first logo presented was chosen to be among the top twenty finalist.
Koo Chia Meng, 2009
Poster designs for film maker and friend, Koo Chia Meng, for his short film ‘Man In A Snow Globe’.
Photography by Lin Wei Dong
VIS220 Graphic Design I “Iconographic” Assignment, 2008
We were asked to attempt at the logo and sports icon design for the highly-anticipated and highly-regarded Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in the summer of 2010.
What I really wanted to incoporate was an iconic symbol of Singapore, fused with the sporting vigour and spirit. The sports icons follows the visual reference of the lion head with emphasis on the heroic stance—the sportmen as a hero, symbol and role model for the country.
Dr. Ivan Koh, BDS (Singapore), 2008
A name card design for my friend, Dr. Ivan Koh.
ADM Student Club, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University, 2008
I led a dedicated team of people, consisting of May Lim, Ong Jian’an, Soh Jun Hao, Yeo Hilmi Mohd and Brian Lee, who designed, constructed and painted the promotional materials and experiential props that make up the School of Art, Design and Media‘s medieval-themed Freshmen Orientation Camp in 2008.
Library Promotion Department, Nanyang Technological University
I designed several logo proposals for a new digital repository system that the Nanyang Technological University Library has launched. The first logo is the logo I preferred while the second was the one the libaray chose. This repository archives the University’s thesis papers for posterity and reference. I also proposed a set of accompanying set of promotional postcards.