oic interview

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11
Dec 12

OIC Singapore featured in UNDERSCORE’s “Creative Cultures: The Singapore Showcase”

We are most delighted to be featured in this new book curated and published by the uber cool Underscore magazine about Singapore’s creative scene!

Thanks to all our participants, followers and supporters of our projects and portrait events- we have a good 6 year track record behind us and a massive collection of work and photos to show for it!

Though predominantly a volume about interesting design firms and designers it also featured many illustrators like – Andy Yang, Drewscape, Koh Hong Teng, Mighty Yellow, Jason Siew, Ben Qwek, Fleecircus, Imaginary Friends ( IFS ), Sokkuan, Twisstii, Kristal Melson, Zixi, Eeshaun, Speak Cryptic, Mindflyer and many more. Do check it out!

Creative Cultures  ( www.creative-cultures.com )

The Singapore Showcase is an Underscore special edition platform showcasing the works of Singapore’s creative disciplines through mediums of publication, film, website and exhibition, designed by Hjgher and curated by esteemed Japanese curator, Yoichi Nakamuta.

The publication features more than 100 Singaporean creatives, ranging from fields of art, design, music and photography, including architecture, interior, product, graphic, illustration, interactive, animation, fashion, art, photography and music.

The theme, Uncover was established for Singapore, describing the beginning of a creative culture that has grown over the years with little history, but a freedom and hunger for experimentation. The focus is on the future, rather than its history, that defines Singaporeʼs design culture as a work in progress, inviting greater things to come. Says editor-in-chief, Justin Long, “We have the freedom to be who we want to be. We hold the power to decide our own future, not only for ourselves, but for future generations to come.”

With an irreversible scratch-and-see gold hardcover, Underscore invites the reader to scratch and uncover an original curation of Singapore’s creative culture, with over 280 pages of visuals and interviews.

Creative Cultures: The Singapore Showcase publication is printed by Dominie Press and officially distributed in Singapore by BooksActually.

Underscore Magazine

Underscore is an independent magazine with thematic content attuned to a simple rhythm; quality of life. Conceived and designed by award winning studio Hjgher and published by H/Publishing, Underscore is a platform derived to underline or highlight simple values that are important but neglected in our everyday lives.

Held by the common intrinsic values of Authenticity, Quality, Integrity and Honesty, Underscore was developed specifically for the audience in mind, addressing media channels of traditional publishing, online media, product design and placement, and event exhibitions to communicate through all senses of the audience for a complete and fulfilling experience.

Another definition of underscore is background music. A carefully selected soundtrack accompanies each issue to complete the entire experience, and is available on the website for download.

www.underscoremagazine.com

Where to buy the book? At BooksActually ( and selected bookshops in Singapore)  and on line at http://underscoremagazine.com/creative-cultures.html

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20
Nov 12

Short Interview of Mr Brian Grimwood by KaiYee

Short interview by our member KaiYee Tay over the phone in London after meeting Mr Brian Grimwood at his recent exhibition.

KY: Being labeled as the “Man who changed the face of British Illustration”, how did that tittle come about and what made you stand out from the crowd?

BG: Well, I’m older then the rest.(laughs) And I didn’t say that, that was a quote from Print Magazine from back then and i’ve used it ever since. I’ve expected my peers to have a joke about it but they sort of agreed with it instead. There was a change, I think it did free up a lot of people, in terms of working, it also freed up a lot of advertising. Going to Singapore for instance, I noticed there were people there, who were really influenced by what I was doing. And it did change the look of how illustration was going at that time. But I don’t take it that seriously, (laughs) It’s just a good tittle, and i’d rather have it then have someone else have it.

KY: Is there any part of your creative process that you can share with us?

BG: I’d share it all! I’m a bit of a show off! There’s no secret of technically what I do. Certainly at this moment in time, I’m playing around a lot on the Ipad. And really I’m just relying on approaching things in a quite graphic way, and most of the work I’ve ever done is been quite layered. So I just use that same process now. It relies on an idea which you have to come up with yourself. But technically, it is just sort of getting better at something you were fairly good at in the first place. Its just trying to improve and in my case, I rely on drawing and showing off drawings.

KY: Being an Iconic illustrator who works around the globe, is there a specific way you work in certain countries?

BG: No, not really. Sometimes the subject matter changes wherever I am, I did a whole lot of paintings in Thailand last year, and it actually relates to where I was. So I was drawing insects and plants and things like that. I try to reflect where I am if I’m working from that place. But stylistically, its more or less the same style. Certainly when I’m in the far east, I use the brush a lot – It feels right somehow.

KY: Last question, do you have any advice for new illustrators?

BG: Right. (laughs) This is a cliché line that I’ve come up with, but I’ll try and elaborate on it. I mean, if you’re good, you’ve got to show people that you’re good and you’ve got to make your work look important. Don’t make it look throw away, also think big – I quote the Donald Trump Quote which is “Think big, because everybody else thinks small.” So I like that idea of trying to make your work look important and good, and therefore people will treat it that way and also more importantly they’ll pay for it. And the other thing I tell people when you’re starting out is to have a hero. Somebody whose work you can relate to and you can see what they work on and how they do it and how they solve problems. It gives one an idea of how to approach one’s own work. So have heroes, thats something I say a lot.

Bio: Brian Grimwood is one of the most innovative and influential illustrators of his time. He is also a founder member of the Association of Illustrators. Credited by Print Magazine as having ‘changed the look of British illustration’. He has designed posters and contributed to numerous popular magazines worldwide. Notable British clients include the BBC, Johnny Walker, Eurostar, Britannia and the Royal Opera House. In 1983, Grimwood founded The Central Illustration Agency. His commercial work is instantly recognisable around the world, and has influenced and inspired many other Illustrators.

www.briangrimwood.com

www.thegrimwoodgallery.com

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18
Nov 11

OIC Interview with Dawn Tan

This is an interview with Dawn Tan ( now based in Melbourne, Australia ) by Kaiyee ( ( now based in London/UK ) organised by Fei ( now based in Lausanne, Switzerland )!  All graduates from Temasek Poly too!  Looking forward to more interviews like this!

As part of our “OIC share what you love”  effort, we encourage illustrators / artists to share not just their own work but also conduct interviews, and introduce the work of other illustrators they admire or like!

Kaiyee’s Interview with Dawn Tan

Melbourne artist and crafter Dawn Tan is a self-confessed foodie with a penchant for all things yummy and beautifully packaged. Her work embraces her inspiration with home-cooking, packaging and grocery shopping. Some of which have been translated into large over-sized sculptures, art prints and accessories such as tea towels, aprons, and market tote bags.

In her spare time, Dawn authors a blog called Handmadelove. She also runs adult and children art workshops in a number of schools and private art studios around Melbourne.

Dawn and her work have been featured in various publications including Frankie Magazine, Uppercase Magazine, Gourmet Traveller and The Age Newspaper.

Website: www.dawn-tan.com

Blog: www.hand-made-love.blogspot.com

Shop: www.handmadelove.bigcartel.com

Ky: Hi Dawn! What are your favorite subjects to draw? Why? Do they represent you as a person?

D:
I LOVE drawing food! Well, I love food, I love cooking and all that comes with it. The recipes, the grocery shopping… So I think it’s only logical to combine such passion into drawing!

Ky: I know you teach alot of children art and painting, which is an awesome job, do you find teaching helpful in personal development ?
How so?

D:
I really enjoy teaching. I find it helps me to relax actually. Whenever I am tired or need a new inspiration, I find myself turning to teaching.  Working with children helps me to generate lots of crazy wild ideas. I’m often inspired by them and their creativity and their willingness to make ‘crazy art’.

Ky:How is the illustration scene like in Australia? Having lived there for a few years, you must have a few opinions and how is it different from Singapore?

D:
I love it here in Melbourne, where I live. It’s vibrant and inspiring every different day. You get weather changes, nature changes happening all year round. Not so much like Singapore where it’s just summer all year round. Here you get all 4 seasons. It even snows up in the mountains!

I guess because of these differences, the culture, nature bits..somehow the style is just totally different? Not sure how to describe it. You’ve got to see it for yourself. But yup, both countries’ illustration scenes have their own goodness! I’m in love with both!

Ky: Talk about a piece of recent work you are proud of, and why?

D:
I recently did a burger and French fry illustration. It’s fairly simple, nothing too crazy but it’s been made into a melamine cup and plate! To be able to see my art on nice dinnerware makes me smile like a girl in a candy store!

Ky: Looking through your portfolio there are many drawings of food, any tips when it comes to illustrating foodstuffs?

D: Just enjoy! Take it easy and paint while you’re eating the item itself! Makes it more fun this way. Not only will you get to draw and smell it. You’ll also get to taste it! Haha!

Ky: Any good tips for new illustrators who are starting their career?

I’d say..Stick with your gut, and just go with what you like best and try to convince the client! Don’t just do souless stuff to please others. You need to love what you’re doing, in order to keep the whole illustrating thing sustainable!! No one stays long if they do what they hate all the time.

Thanks to – the interviewer: Kaiyee (  http://cargocollective.com/kaiyee ) , the co-ordinator: Fei ( http://havesomefei.com )

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16
Sep 11

OIC Interview with Kaiyee Tay

Kaiyee Tay is a graphic design/illustration student, currently studying in London. Graduated from Temasek Polytechnic in 2007.

“Back in the day used to draw everything in pencil and colour digitally, now trying out as many mediums as possible. “I find myself asking away what it takes to be an illustrator in this world, how am i going to make ends meet someday but also how much more can be done to improve myself. Drawing is a passion, and as illustrators we are always looking for that balance of interest and commercial success. I hope more respect and recognition can be given to this humble vocation, and as a community of illustrators around the world, we should share our joy.”

OIC:  Hi Kaiyee! Tell us about your background and how did you choose to study Central Saints Martin?

Kaiyee: Hi fei! I am graphic design/illustration undergrad Kaiyee Tay, formerly from Temasek Polytechnic Singapore, most friends/tutors remember me as the boy who illustrated cartoon genitals for a sex education/children’s book i made for my final year project. After spending two years in the army, i figured the only thing i would really love to do with my life is continue to draw and/or be creative and make a living from all that. I chose to study at Central Saint Martins because of it being located at the heart of london, it’s reputation of being a school for risk takers and experimentation, i knew i’d push myself in many ways in such an environment.

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05
Sep 11

OIC Interview with YAP KUN RONG

Kun Rong is a new breed of Singaporean concept artist. He interned in IFS ( Imaginary Friends Studio – www.imaginaryfs.com/ ) before going to Japan for 3 years, learning the language/ culture and obtaining his diploma in Musashino Art School. He worked in Tokyo during his time there as a concept artist and illustrator, doing commissions and projects from magazines to background art to Anime Series.

He’s now back in Singapore pursuing his love for drawing and concept art as a fulltime freelance artist working on projects from Japan and around the region.

1) How long have you been an illustrator and how did you get started?

I have been drawing from a very young age, copying and rendering from references of anything that appealed to me. From then on i slowly moved  on to painting as well as discovering my personal direction. I kept on experimenting, learning, and pushing my works as i really enjoy creating. I was lucky enough to get acquainted with professional works through the net, starting out from card game illustrations when I was in the army. From there, I started building more contacts in this area, and have been doing freelance projects for 3-4 years now.

2) Who/what are your inspirations?

I am very inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, MC Escher and Syd Mead in their meticulous approach to art and design. I believe that creativity and imagination is the result of repetitive labour of playing with forms, volumes, geometry, shapes and colours, rearranging, reconstructing and re-evaulating them a thousand times. I am very inspired by things i see around me because i feel that any possible form that exist in one context can be brought to exaggeration in another. I like to keep an open mind  and accept everything as I feel it is very important for growth.

3) Describe your typical day as an illustrator.

I usually wake up to do a few sketches before doing work. They may or may not make sense, its more of a habitual thing. After that I may dive into work, but depending on the kind of projects I am working on I would say my days are not exactly typical. Sometimes i spent alot of time researching depending on the topic. The one thing typical about my day is that i definitely will be doing sketches every now and then as i find them the most important process in the honing of a thought.

4) How was your work experience in Japan and how different is their illustration scene

I was sent there to study and was again lucky enough to manage to get freelance work experience while studying. It is a very inspiring place with many passionate people. There is really a great deal of artists out there, working part time in restaurants while trying to do their own exhibition because they just want to. Not to mention the quality of work produced, but the Japanese passion for creation is really respectable. Their are works of all kinds, people of all kinds, and the thing that bring them together is their passion for creation. Success is not so much defined by recognition but more by their earnest wish to create.

5) What is the best thing you have learned while working in Japan?

I believe Singapore is more influenced by western culture and Japan is really on the extreme scale of Eastern Culture and that alone was the biggest learning experience for me. To speak in art terms, I have been more interested and inclined to the western’s style of mass and volume approach, whereas for the Japanese, the lack of perspective and the emphasis on lines is something I could never have grasped. Through the time i spent there, I slowly got to understand why and how their approach came about, making me appreciate things from a whole new perspective. This swift in my perspective was the most valuable thing I have learnt while I was there. The broadening of mindset meant a whole great deal of possibilities to me as a creator.

6) What advise would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

There is more often than not a great deal of hard work behind any illustrator or artist. A lot of practice and training is required and it is definitely not acquired in months or a few years. The reward is the empowering ability to bring visions to life. Never give up practicing no matter how bad you may be because the ability to see space and dimension can eventually be achieved with practice. Eliminate technical limitations and the rest is for anyone to create!

See more of his amazing work here:  http://yapkunrong.net/

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17
Aug 11

OIC Interview with edau

Thanks Kaiyee for interviewing edau !

Edwin Reginald Beauchamp aka edau (pronounced eh-do) is a Freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator currently based in Miami, Florida. Since graduating from the Miami International University of Art & Design in 2008, he has had the opportunity to do work for various companies & design studios. These include Friendswithyou, Pharrell Williams, LG & Lemon Yellow.

Edau tends to immerse himself in inspiration by constantly looking at various outlets which can be seen as influences in his work. These influences to name a few include pop art, dreams, abstract imagery. illustrators on nobrow.net, contemporary fashion design, vinyl toy design and local illustrators. In addition to freelancing full time, he is currently at work on several self-promotional projects. These include a promoting & designing limited edition products for his own personal product line, creating illustrations & experimenting in graphic design.


Ky: What inspires you as an illustrator and what do you think are requirements for being a successful one in this day and age?
Ed: I’m inspired by many outlets in graphic design and illustration that I can relate to and interest me. I try to take in as much as possible and be aware of current trends in order to not fall behind. I think in order to be successful, one needs to be prepared to work as hard as possible and have a good body of work that best represents your strengths. Also, use the work of those who are more successful than you as motivation to work harder to get where they’re at. After all, there will always be someone who is better than you. The sooner you accept that, the better.

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event / event photos / oic interview / OIC Portrait Day — 2 Comments
11
May 11

Video from OIC PORTRAIT DAY, 2nd April 2011

A very special and well made interview video by Foo Wen Xin and crew from SIN TV. This is the best video I have seen about OIC Portrait Day! Thanks SIN TV!

CheckOUT! Singapore – OIC Portrait Day

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21
Mar 11

OIC Interview with Hafi

Hafi (Hafizah Jainal) is a girl whose day job is being a graphic designer. She does illustration during her spare time and is working towards just doing illustration alone, forever and ever. She is 22 years old in real life but 12 years old in her imagined life.

OIC: How long have you been drawing and how did you get started?

I started taking drawing seriously when I was a freshman in the Creative Media Design Course in Singapore Polytechnic. (That was, almost 4 years ago *GASP*) My drawing studio lecturer invited a few local illustrators to our class to give a talk. One of them was Kristal Melson. I was swept off my feet when I saw her drawings. I thought that they were BEYOND awesome plus she was super cool also. (Then I immediately became a fan girl 10 secs into her presentation) So that triggered off my interest in illustration. This might sound corny but Kristal’s talk really ignited my passion! I wanted to draw as well as her too and may I say again, she was uber cool and all with her cloth totebag which she drew some stuff on it. I’ve always liked people who has an aura of coolness about them :)
On the same day, I bought myself a sketchbook and I began drawing everyday until I became confident with my illustration skills.
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15
Mar 11

OIC Interview with Parka

In the spotlight: Parka – the guy behind Parka Blogs, a blog dedicated to reviews of art and design related books.

OIC: How long have you had the habit of sketching and how did you get started?

Parka: I started getting more serious about sketching after visiting Urban Sketchers. (OIC: Check out our awesome local sketchers at Urban Sketchers Singapore!) The stories and sketches posted by people all over the world are really inspiring. It makes you look at things in life differently. There’s a new sense of appreciation, including for the mundane.

My sketches can be found at http://parkablogs.com/category/tags/my-sketches

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oic interview / sketch — 1 Comment
08
Mar 11

OIC Interview with Lester Lee

The Reserved Seat : For the past 2 years, Lester Lee has been sketching the faces of passengers who sit directly opposite him on the train, simply as a personal record of those who journey with him…

OIC: what inspired u and when did u start?

Lester: Frankly, I wasn’t particularly inspired to draw on the train.
One day in the late 2008 when i was on the train home, i attempted to draw the guy opposite me on the reserved seat. And it turns out to bad first sketch. That bugs me a little, so i gave it another try the next time i took the train. So, that’s how it started :)

OIC: any tips for beginners?

Tips for beginners: Start drawing and keep drawing.


OIC: what do u do when the subject noticed they are being drawn?
Elaborate a funny or embarrassing incident, share some best moments – did u get any pretty girls contact via train stalking?

Lester: Till this point of time, i would wish to think that the subjects do not know they are being drawn. Because personally, i don’t feel at ease having a stranger staring at me, not to mention doing a portrait. Ideally, i feel most comfortable drawing when the subject is unplugged from their environment.  I enjoying drawing the old folks a lot, because from my experience, most of them have very low awareness. Best if the passengers are having a nap.

One of the embarrassing incident i remember vividly was this standing foreign looking passenger who noticed what i was doing. He got very excited and lean towards me to have a clearer view of the drawing. Then look at the subject, back to my drawing and then subject again in a very amused manner which made it so obvious to the latter.

The best moments for me is to have a unique subject that has their personality spelled out on their appearance. There was once i got a thumbs up by an old man beside me. Another time a passenger asked me to show it to the girl i drew. Of course i did not(because it was a bad sketch).

OIC: Share some stakeout or stealth techniques

Lester:I usually take the reserved seat to minimise my exposure to passengers. Lastly, when there’s eye contact between the subject and me, its my mediacorp acting skills to conceal the drawing intent.

http://reservedseat.tumblr.com/

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/reservedseat

http://www.rolesta.com

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