A continuation of IMPRINTS: Designing for Memories – Inspirations & Ideas….

Chan Wai Lim

Design Consultant, Dell Computer

Kampong Cuckoo Clock

I’m turning back the clock to the time when I was 5 years old living in “Singapopore Kampong”. When I started to learn to draw, write, sing, etc. Everything around me was interesting. My first 5 -year-old impression that I had was a grandfather clock and a cuckoo clock in the living room. Both time pieces were important to me….I would count the ‘dong dong’ and ‘cuckoo’ sound.

Then i know what to do and where to go next….

Now….

I’m glad that I have experienced kampong live and I do cherish these moments.

I wanted to bring these memories with me, even I don’t stay in Kampong any more….

Tan Lun Cheak

Experience Design, Dell Computer

The best restaurant to have steamboat is home.

I have always been fascinated by the steambot, its origin, the symbolic representation of pot as well as it’s various designs. But what also fascinates me is why we call it a ‘steamboat’ in English, yet if you make a direct translation from the Chinese word, it is meant to be ‘Fire Wok’.

Here’s my take. It is the British, whom probably associate the shape of the pot, with its unique ‘chimney’ in the middle, to steam boats commonly seen in Europe decades ago. It is definitely more endearing a name then ‘Fire Wok’.

Yang Tah Ching

Product Design Consultant, Philips Design

Hey Papas and Mamas, do you have one of these now for your kids? Or if you remember sitting in (not on) one of these when you could fill fit, do share you experiences. Every time I come across one of these it never cease to bring on a smile of fond memomires. In retrospect, it is either endearing for those who had fun in it or sure torture for those who cried and scream to get out! Fast forward, I have yet to come across baby chairs in the market now that carry such an iconic representation of Asian practicality.

Francis Chu

Product Design Consultant, Philips Design

Designing a Piece of Cloud?

“Near to where I used to live, there was a long stone bench next toa sloppy sidewalk. We picked up carton boxes, rubbed wax at the bottom and we took turns to be the ‘driver’ sitting inside the carton, others will help to push and it was better than roller coaster. Sometimes when we run out of idea and have nothing to do, we would just lay on the bench, watch the sky and shout out what we see from the changing clouds. Rabbit, turtle, horse, aeroplane, trees, if you are lucky, you can even discover superman fighting monsters.”

The cloud has ever since captured my imagination.

Ng Pei Kang

Innovation Specialist, Philips Design

New life for a Dying Craft

I’m not a bird keeper, but I have a bird cage at home which accentuates my Zen-styled interior. It is also there as part of my nostalgic collection of hand-crafted objects. I’m a big fan for old school craftsmanship because it embodies the quality of full-hearted sincerity behind a piece of work – a lost virtue today, evident in the disappointing quality of mass produced product.

With the bird business in Singapore deteriorating rapidly, it is a sad though picturing the loss of cage making skills – what of the bamboo weaving and intricate wood carving? While the bird cage itself is losing relevence, maybe the skills of the maker can be preserved? Surely there are ways to create new life for this time-honored craft?

Want to see more? Stay tuned…We will be updating their progress as the exhibition approach. You can also read the previous post here.