DISCOURSE OF IMAGINATION

Wei Ming shared that most of her inspiration comes from her nostalgic experiences and nature excursions whilst growing up with her grandmother. She found trees, plants and seashells to each organically have a well-calculated design structure to form its shape, resulting in an overall pleasing aesthetic. Going beyond the two-dimensional, the designer continues to draw influences from her experience working with geometry forms, proportions and balance.

For instance, hand-woven palm leaves inspired her rattan-adapted Ketupat series of low-seating pouffes – a nod to ‘Asian floor culture,’ it was considerably made in collaboration with indigenous communities. Another example is the Geometry series, comprising both pendants and table lights, where she explored the Art of Paper Folding in the form of ceramic ware. Stating that “design is purposeful” with the hopes of adding value to a space, Wei Ming believes that aesthetics help elevate a piece to differentiate it from other mass-produced products.

On the other hand, Edward Tan cites travel, films and nature to be his goto sources of inspiration. He takes a non-contextual approach to design with concepts such as transportive architecture, emotional spaces and impact. Intentionally dramatic spaces are established by using materials, forms, colours and spatial journeys to create environments that evoke powerful emotions, completely enrapturing those that step inside it.