June 30, 2010 in Blog by A.Sitoh

The `life` in HDB flats

When I first saw this shelf designed by local architect, Lui Honfai, it reminded me of the the nostalgic 10-storey type HDB flat that used to be the typical housing for many of my generation  – Oh yes, those were the good old days when life was so carefree. I can almost still hear the loud echos of TV broadcast coming from our neighbouring homes, laughters from children playing at the common playground and my mum screaming from our top floor unit demanding that I return home instantaneously for my dinner.

No,no..  I’m not saying that the designer’s work was inspired by the old HDB block.

As much as HDB planned for these housing layouts to be neat and tidy, the residents never fail to chaotically decorate the corridors with their’ ‘barang, barang’ – spread of clothes lines and bedsheets, displays of potted plants, various bicycles chained on the rails… etc.. Some people may dislike the messy sight from afar, but fact is, I believe these ‘elements of chaos’ actually brought ‘Life’  to the initially dull and systematically-designed structure.

Similarly, I feel that the simple application of random chaos in the middle area of the shelf actually liven up such a simple furniture piece.

So, is there ‘Life’ in your designs?

June 29, 2010 in Blog by Alfred

Once upon a sound …

I used to toss the vinyl records around as a frisbee when I was a kid.
If you can’t spin it on the player, spin it in the air then.

June 28, 2010 in Blog by Len

Montage old streets

The Toyo project…

June 26, 2010 in Blog by Tah Ching

Matchbox Cars

I had many of these. You can still find miniature cars in toy shops but what I find endearing are these authentic ones displayed at The Mint Museum literally packaged the same way like a box of matches, hence Matchbox cars!

June 25, 2010 in Blog by A.Sitoh

Messing with Brands

If you’re thinking of creating something with (local) brands, here’s another approach of how brands can add interest to create an award winning video animation. (Watch when u have the time, the video is quite lengthy.)

Anyway, if you can’t watch it here, click on ‘Logorama’ below to link you to it.

Logorama from Marc Altshuler – Human Music on Vimeo.

June 25, 2010 in Blog by Taiwoon

Kopi shu dai

We take it for granted our SG “heart lander” kopi is available anytime and everywhere.. Well it is not a global thing…   Kopi Kao, Kopi shu dai, Kopi see… this is all proudly available in SG… now go buy one and have a sip! I remembered the time when the coffeeshop would sell coffee in milkcans.. the taste was better too… or it is because of the tin can?  Now we drink our coffee in styrofoam cups and clear plastic bags…   here are some pics of coffee then and now

June 23, 2010 in Blog by Tah Ching

Goh Li (marbles)

I was at The Mint Museum recently and came across this bagful of Goh Li (marbles) on display. I recalled the days when the bell would rang for recess, we dashed out to the playground; to where the grassless patch in the field with a hole in the ground. As we ran, our pockets would crackle with the sound of Goh Li next to our laughter. We were so eager to be first on the playground for a round of shooting Goh Li. We were 8 years old then. This ones for you Jason!

June 18, 2010 in Blog by Taiwoon

The world is going to be unified….

I spotted this on monocle and at the later part of the video they talked about identity….and this guy says….

Gaetano Pesce

“The world is going to unified but in the process, we have to keep the difference. Because difference gives us identity and identity gives us the positioning in the world.”

By designer Gaetano Pesce

Links on the video here

Bravo Gaetano!!!

Now what’s our identity?

June 15, 2010 in Blog by Pei Kang

Little Thoughts meet again

Members meets again to muse, debate and chat about our coming exhibition. Somewhat a young and trendy place, “15minutes” is very appropriate for the youthful souls in the Little Thoughts group. The restaurant has a sticky tagline too- 15 minutes of friends, food and fame. Ok, I’m going to stop before this becomes a foodie blog..

June 15, 2010 in Blog by Taiwoon

Double happiness ping pong bat

Wanted to share with u another of my childhood memories,  I remember mum bought me this ping pong bat. The brand was Red double happiness. That was branded stuff then. I can still recall the smell of rubber when I open the box and peeled off the transparent protective sheet.  Externally the box is decorated with floral and embossed pattern.  Peeking out of the transparent window, u can see the bat…

It is amazing as a child, u can make do with so little. As a young boy, I used to face off the wall and practise my ping pong..tick tock, tick tock… I got pretty got at it.. so much so I went to represent school and even went to the nationals. Then as with any children, I gradually lost interest and the ping pong bat was relegated into the cupboard drawer.

Fast forward, I casually mentioned it to kim on this recollection… and one fine day, Kim gave me a  great surprise.  It was a brand new double happiness bat, with the same packaging and design!  So cool.. products are not done like that anymore..