Thesis project for BFA (Visual Communications) at School of Art, Design and Media, 2011
After researching and understanding the codified language and symbolism found in an established set of gestures, known as mudras prevalent in Hindu-Buddhist visual culture, I have come to realise that they, like any other language, have their own ‘dialects’ presenting itself differently in ritual, iconography and dance.
The project focuses on the expressive and meaningful hand gestures, known as nritya hasta-mudras, used in Bharata Natyam. The traditional meanings of the nritya hasta-mudras were studied and further embellished to provide for contemporary and localised/regional usages. Through graphic design and illustration, the encapsulated meanings and nature-inspired movements were re-conceptualised and presented in a new manner.
The project was designed hypothetically for the performing arts section of the Asian Civilisations Museum South Asia gallery, with the aim of making visible and re-expressing their usages and symbolisms. This is done through two applications: an interactive kiosk where users may be able to use gestural language to express ideas and narratives in and out of the dance choreography context, and a ‘take-home’ hasta-mudra rubber stamp kit accompanied with an illustrated dictionary.
Exhibited at the ADM Show 2011
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.
Areté Group / Antonio Eraso Co., 2009
A Flash-based presentation that I conceptualised and designed for Areté Group and Antonio Eraso Co.’s presentation to the Kingdom of Bhutan for a monastery rehabilitation programme. It was presented to the King of Bhutan, His Royal Highness Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the Prime Minister, Home Minister and several other key ministers in July 2009.
Pictures of Bhutan by Amelia Wang.
Corporate photography by Peter Chen.
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.
Final Year Project, for Diploma in Multimedia Technology
MMPJ Mini Games is my Diploma Final Year Project, jointly accomplished with Eric Peh, Lim Chee Hui, Lim Chee Wee (1984-2007), Muhd Firdaus and Tan Yu Liang.
It is a collection of Flash-based mini games that was developed for Singapore Polytechnic‘s Managing Multimedia Project module, to help students to better understand the concepts surrounding project management. The characters were based on the central roles that are typically found in a typical multimedia project. situation.
For this project, I was the project manager, an illustrator, interface designer, animator and sound designer.