Taking Form

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Claire, and I’m a student and freelance designer.

I work a lot with typography and shapes. I’m not comfortable with photos and things like that, but I like to manipulate shapes and colours so I create a lot of posters in my free time. But I would say I say I really like publication design such as editorials, zines, magazines. That’s something I want to learn more about, and is also what I’m studying right now.

What would you say is the most challenging aspect of being in the design scene in Singapore?
I think it can very exclusive. I feel that a lot of people have their own bubbles–if you’re cool, you do this, but it’s not cool if you do that – and things like that. So I think it’s hard to find people that I click with in the industry.

I think it’s also hard to always be chasing connections. “Oh, I want to be the best, at the top”, but what if you just want a fun, happy time? I think in Singapore, the scene is very focused on going higher and higher, and reaching achievements and success. Which is not to say that’s wrong, but I think sometimes one gets a bit too wrapped up in that, which can be very exhausting, especially in school where everyone around you is like that.

What do you like to do outside of school?
It’s a bit lame. Outside of school, I just design my own, like I said, posters. I’m very inspired by music so that’s something I like a lot. I like listening to music and visualising it with design. Other than that, it’s spending time with friends.

Any favourite songs right now?
Another Star by Stevie Wonder. I think that’s probably been one of my favourite songs for quite a while already.

So what do you visualise when you listen to it?
The song has a lot of instruments happening in the background. It’s pretty long, but it flows from different percussion instruments to wind instruments, so I think that balance is very interesting. I would visualise a lot different shapes swirling, and maybe stronger colours like red and orange.

Any big goals that you have for yourself?
My biggest goal would be to be able to mash my love for music and design together. I want to design for musicians. Hopefully internationally in the future. If that happens, then I’d say that I’ve really made it in life. If it’s one of my favourite musicians, then that’s even better!