SingaPlural is an annual showcase that celebrates design in all its forms, functions, stories and inspirations.
BLACK designed the brand identity for the festival. The logo design symbolizes this movement and invigoration of design and designers in our furniture industry, locally and internationally, from our little red dot.
A publication from the Futures Group of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Future Tense aims to discuss local and international topics that would impact us. The cover flap of the publication provides a play of juxtaposition of the current and possible future situation of a selected topic. Information graphics are also suitably applied to various articles to aid in the dissemination of content.
Like the unplanned and irregular stamping of the logo, The Crostini Bar is a spontaneous and happening place where you would let go, munch on your toasts, enjoy your beer, while not having to worry about the mess you create. Menus and namecards have a hand-written and personal touch to make sure every customer feels at home and relaxed.
Play is a natural instinct. Children learn more about the world and themselves through play. At Fidgets, a holistic approach is taken to engage the young inquiring minds of children.
Inspired by the brand name and kids’ never-ending movement, the identity was created using moving hands and feet. Patterns as well as warm bright colours further reinforce the brand as a fun, safe and exciting learning journey for kids and parents alike.
MAD is a new dining concept that brings together 5 leaders in their own fields – Tung Lok, Bakerzin, Bar Stories, Top Wines and last but definitely not least the Mad Chinaman himself – Dick Lee. Inspired by the Mad Chinaman’s persona – MAD is colourful, diverse, passionate, eclectic, creative and cheeky all at the same time.
BLACK worked closely with Dick Lee & Tung Lok, as well as in collaboration with Formwerkz Architects to bring to life this riot of colours and personality.
Bringing back the old beauty and charm of the historic rooms in the former Empress Place Building, restaurant OCF reminisces the courtship days of Sir Stamford Raffles and his little-known first wife—Olivia Cassivelaun Fancourt.
The branding and menus are kept elegant, mysterious and personal, like the secret love letters that we imagine they would exchange.
A Culinary Collaboration between TungLok Group and Beijing’s renowned XiHe Group – with it’s modern asian interior designed by Formwerkz Architects, BLACK complimented it with a graphical spin on the story of the Peking Duck!
Created by Wong Li-Lin, the Loop® fitness band is an easy, simple exercise system that allows individuals of all fitness levels to begin exercising and stay fit while maintaining a busy schedule. BLACK helped Loopz repurpose their brand thinking, redesigned the bands, packaging, promotional materials, and the design of their first Loopz Fitness Book. Making sure everything is simple and easy to use and delivers their brand promise, that you can exercise anytime, anywhere.
The Spa Artisan is a new concept spa at the historic Fullerton Hotel Singapore that celebrates the tradition and heritage of asian spa treatments, elevated and delivered with a contemporary touch. BLACK worked on the branding as well as the environmental graphics in collaboration with Formwerkz Architects to create a garden spa in the heart of the city.
A casual restaurant serving comfort food, Table Manners is the least expected place to be called that name. Always staying gracious – but sometimes irreverent – Table Manners promotes proper dining etiquette through engaging and entertaining ways. From the napkins, to the quirky quotes, and down to the staff uniform, everything comes with a mischievous twist. The acronymic logo mark of the restaurant also secretly hopes to ‘trademark’ everything it can possibly own. Interior by Formwerkz.
White house is a home furnishing gallery that celebrates a mix of original and mid-century scandinavian inspired designs.
Like an empty space with the potential and versatility to be filled with different designs and ideas, the logo is designed with a stenciled font, having the possibility of being applied onto any surface and space.
With the idea of Bar Stories in mind, we had a little fun illustrating different characters into the standard martini glass, creating an endless possibility of stories to be shared. This forms the supporting graphics for Bar Stories, injecting more life into the experience.
A Thousand Tales is conceptualized to bring style and quality to our everyday living. From a flagship furniture store that offers a striking range of home-ware, it has since evolved into a growing group of lifestyle concepts, with several restaurants, bars, furniture and retail stores under its arm.
With A Thousand Tales continuing to build their empire of dreams, Black have designed for them a strong and inspiring logo. The colon serves as an introduction and the beginning of many more tales to come.
BLACK worked on the design and editorial direction for the Singapore Furniture Industries Council design book, that celebrates and provides insight to featured designers in the furniture industry. BLACK oversaw the concept, design, writing, photography and production of the book.
The cover artwork — a sea of building blocks of varying shapes, sizes and textures — is an abstract representation of the diverse makeup of talents and ideas in our local furniture industry. Together, this growing matrix forms a dynamic landscape, fostering growth and a vibrant future. The brief was to design a coffee-table book, but not just as a picture book that showcases products and designers — it had to be content-rich as well. Thus, an editorial approach was taken, interviewing the designers on their own stories and inspirations, with a different slant in each section. With this, the book stays informative and engaging for a leisurely read at the same time.
The theme for the President’s Design Award 2011 was “Multipli-City”. It not only celebrates the multitude of talents, ideas, and designs that this award has recognised through its six-year history, but also the “multiplier effect” the award recipients have generated with their designs.
BLACK curated and designed the awards presentation at the Istana, and the exhibition showcase at ION Art Gallery, SPACE Asia Hub and URA Centre.
Design Thinking SG organises successful and highly rated design thinking and design related workshops, facilitated by Brian Ling and Jackson Tan. BLACK worked on the identity and assets development for the workshops.
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall 晚晴園 was refurbished and reopened on the 100th anniversary of the Chinese revolution. BLACK worked closely in collaboration with DesignAct and National Museum of Singapore on content, visual direction and signage to create a coherent experience. The museum tells the compelling story of Sun Yat Sen’s stay in Singapore and how he inspired many well-known Singaporeans in the Chinese community.
We had the pleasure of working closely with the Herman Miller team on the branding of, and visual merchandising in the Retreat zone, for the annual Herman Miller Reach 2011, held at the Hong Kong Design Institute. Jackson also spoke alongside the likes of Eames Demetrios, Don Chadwick and Steve Frykholm. - Images courtesy of Herman Miller Asia Pacific. Illustrations in collaboration with Pigologist.
Wheelock Properties approached BLACK to work on packaging the handover kit for their residential property, Scotts Square. The brief also called for the design and editorial content of a Little Red Book – a manifesto to luxurious living in Singapore. Artists impression courtesy of Wheelock Properties.
Noise Singapore is a platform organised by the National Arts Council, that gives youths the opportunity to express, develop and showcase their talent. BLACK worked on the advertising, publication, and exhibition at ION – a ‘Noise City’ filled with the works of Noise artists.
The President’s Design Award is Singapore’s highest accolade for design – acknowledging good design in the fields of architecture and urban design, fashion design, industrial and product design, interior design and visual communications design. BLACK curated and designed the awards presentation at the Istana, and the exhibition showcase at ION Gallery, in December 2010.
BLACK was invited to curate and create the premise and concept for an exhibition to represent Singapore design at the inaugural Asia Design Conference organised by the centre of creative communication (CCC), in Shizuoka City, Japan. Shiok! A Gastronomy of Singapore Design featured local contemporary design and art inspired by and about food – from the likes of Royston Tan, Jing Quek, &Larry and FARM just to name a few. It introduced and shared over 15 local works and ideas (as well as Singapore’s favourite pastime) with the audience. Organised by ccc and supported by DesignSingapore Council. Artwork images courtesy of respective artists, Jing Quek, Mindflyer, Don Low.
BLACK was invited by FARM to contribute and design a stationery product for the Made for SAM project. The ‘Nosejob’ allows for the user to alter the appearance of their nose through the gesture and usage of rubbing. Rather than the usual scenario faced of losing its former glory once used, this eraser transforms and becomes a work of art in the hands of its sculptor. Images courtesy of FARM.
BLACK was commisioned to conceptualise and create the branding and identity for the Resorts World Sentosa’s production of Voyage De La Vie, a circus theatre extravaganza. The illustration was done in collaboration with Pixelpastry. Images Courtesy of Resorts World Sentosa.
BLACK worked with WOHA on their presentation at the ICSID World Design Congress 2009, creating infographics and layout of a newspaper – the ‘Strange Times’, for the future year of 2050.
The Icsid World Design Congress 2009 was the parallel event to the Singapore Design Festival 2009. BLACK played a key role in the branding and visual communications of the congress, working on a seamless system of graphics that gradually evolved and depicted the underlying message of ‘Design Difference’. Collaterals included printed materials such as the congress book, brochures, nametags to badges. As well environmental design, infographics and signages for the congress venue.
BLACK worked on the brand revamp of NTUC Foodfare’s corporate identity as well as the interiors and brand outlook of its food outlets. The design process focused on thoughtful usability for the consumers, from comfort of seating and visibility of stalls, to specially designed hooks located under the tables, for patrons to hang and tuck away their bags.
A set of brochures for DesignSingapore Council’s Scholarship and Capability programs.
UseLess Life 無用生活 was featured in the Kaohsiung Design Festival 2009, in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. ‘UseLess 無用’ is a thematic design project that presents ideas, works and exhibits by leading international designers and creators unified in their exploration on how design can create positive value for the self, society and the world. The concept engages the audience in presentations that dramatically highlight the role and direction design plays in creating a sustainable future.
New Wave, Singapore’s Contemporary Design Culture explores the recent emergence of Singapore’s contemporary design culture. The exhibition captures an exciting phase as the island-stage repositions itself as a global design centre.Featuring 8 prominent local designers who have established themselves as the ‘New Wave’. BLACK curated and designed the show. The exhibition was showcased at the centre for creative communications(CCC); Shizuoka, Japan. Supported by Design Singapore Council. Organised by CCC.