Singapore Budget 2011 Lego Style, My Read in Free Swing

Budget 2011 from ST Pix on Vimeo.


Life should be as easy & smart like Lego
where complex matters are expressed in cheerful style;
where war of words could be saved
and time spared for better play.

Life should be as free.

Wee in the colours
be as smart as Lego;
for its bricks are atoms
and its molecules are wonders.

Via play and fun,
it creates its own universe
that defines a unique legacy
redefines innovation
recreates a united world.

Life should be creative
where different people meet
without self inflicted paranoia or prejudice
that makes the world a divided place.

Lego, I admire your wicked brilliance
for you dominate the world without a winch.
in both happy & dire times.

For you, like me;
play is fun
and fun is cute.
Life's a peach with roses bedded in your yard
'cos you've fully understood the quotient of the
human mind!
-- Karen Fu

PS: Generally I like the budget and I wish I have a play in it too. Adios for now!! For change has come.

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Amicable thought on Design Sensitivity

My visit to the ArtScience Museum was worth more than I thought. The issues on the display design could have been hard to answer. I haven't read the hard copy of the Straits Times yet on comments by other visitors, but I have the feeling they may have been thinking some similar issues. But my primary issue would be the level of sensitivity of the design displays at the museum as well the type of exibits at the museum. No doubt that our museum is a small one and that we do not have any monumental treasures of big countries, I had thought the number of artefacts would have been at least more than what I was thinking. The museum does not match the quality of the Asians Civilisations Museum which has, I think, the best collection of artefacts in the country in terms of both quantity and quality. In comparison a mere check with the American Museum of Natural history online would instantly tell you that our exhibits aren't anything close to what others have. Despite so, the price of the tickets here are comparable to the top museums in the world. The interactive displays are no doubt world class. And so are the interiors and the exterior of the museum. I had very high hopes when I stepped into the museum just 2 days ago. When I was looking at the display, I cannot help but to wonder who did it and how the people have done so. The arrangement of the 2 apples and 1 banana in the Turfan area in the Silk Road Exhibition made me think how that display could have been allowed? The make of the camel was another. The quiver of arrows shooting into the Mongolian soldier was another that left me dumbfounded. It wasn't so much of the arrows that got stuck into the soldier, it was something comical about the whole display that made me wanted to both cry and laugh at the same time as I was wondering if arrows could actually go through both the human skull and the helmet in that manner <??>
Acknowledgingly, mongolian arrows were the most powerful at that time, reaching the average span of around 200 to 340 yards per shot. But I was wondering if that speed could actually pierce through the the head that much. I decided to make a quick investigation and came to a conclusion that the likelihood of an arrow going through the head of the soldier with the helmet on was very unlikely. (see picture below)


Notice the soldier beside the gigantic war machine.

Closeup of the 'arrowed' soldier. Typically the arrow that puched him diagonally right through the helmet, his skull and come out to the other end of his head. Understandably arrows do pierce in shots. But to have them display in the manner above looks somewhat illogical and even comical.

I feel the level of sensitivity in design has to be taken seriously, typically in the case of doing up a museum exhibit. The point of accuracy to historical details as well as other physical details must be respected. When we invent, innovate, design or do anything for that matter, certain funcational law of nature and culture need to be taken care of. And of course my ticket was itself somewhat puzzling. But then again, that was far too miniscue little issue. I just hope the next time I visit the museum again, it will be a far better experience.   - Karen Fu



Reference:
1. ArtScience Museum now opens, Straits Times, 19 Feb 2011 post.
2. Warriors of the Chinggis Khan(Genghis Khan)

3. A brief history of the Mongols.
4. Ancient Mongolian Weaponry.
5. The Mongolian Bow

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My Curosity about the Artscience museum

I am a merry person and am definitely a very curious person by nature. Museums are always on my itinery wherever I go. Just this past faithful Monday I decided to pop into the museum's 3rd day of opening right in the hot afternoon. It was a great cheery day and I definitely wanted  to view the latest exhibits at the newest museum down Marina Bay.

All was well in general and I had a great time learning about the history of various events-- from Genghis Khan, Silk Road and the Tang treasures; apart from the design of displays and interactive media. It was all fun and in fact there was a couple of things I thought it was 'too fun'. Let me try to explain:

I am very impressed by the displays. There are truly world-class visuals with impressive interactive media designs. I especially enjoy the interactive table at the Silk Road exhibition that shows items on a highly illuminated map; and some of the in wall panel displays that allow us to test our mental agilities. What I found a little amusing were the camels. I have seen camels before but I have never seen any spieces like the ones on display at the entrance. Especially the stream of very curly hair running from the top of the camels' heads along the back of the animals' bodies. Its too artificial and almost too fashionable looking. It somewhat reminds me of the African hair-style and more likely they reminded me of star wars----the 4 legged creature Eopie; or the 2-legged creature whose name I've forgotten at this point of time.  I think they look a little too futuristic to be like the arabian camel or other different hybrids of camels around at the moment. Then again, I was trying to figure out if I have missed any camel species that look like that. Art-wise, they are fantastic as they are highly imaginative and the skills for making them are genuinely top of the class. However, historically-wise they look a little odd. The camels uncanningly have a human look. (see figure below)


notice the hair-do and the face.


notice the hair growth on the camel.


After the camel ride into the wonder of hybrids, I romped to the display of fruits and veggies along the silk road in the other show area. I took a general picture of the display (see picture below)


and spotted something on the right of the picture. Then I took a closer look. (see picture below).



Out of sheer curosity, I ultimately took a third pic of the object of speculation in different perspectives. (see picture below).

[your thought may be as good as mine...]


 finally I came to a conclusion that it resembles visually,metaphorically mimicking the physical form of something not too nice. I wanted to get a second opinion so I amicably reported this to their on-duty museum helpers and they shared the same view.I told them I saw something not too pleasant and it was all about '2 apples and 1 banana'. They were amused by it and went to see it for themselves. One of them took a pic and claimed she was going to report it up. I think they should have reported up to their boss by now. The alignment of those 3 innocent fruits appear to be the work of  the display artist.
I love the architecture. And I really like the lotus pond. Moshe Safdie's sketches are cool with imaginative wonders of neat funcational solutions. The interior architecture of the building has a lovely concept of the lotus flower intertwined with the idea of a lovely welcoming hand. The centre of the building is designed to collect rain water that goes to a recycling system that supplies water to the rest rooms. What I later learnt was that the surface of the building was treated with glass fiber reinforced polymer, which is unusual. I was very happy to be enclosed by this mega structure that has a cool human feel to it.


I was actually expecting more as I have been to other museums around the world too. I was hoping to see more on the top floor about science and the arts. To me, I think it was a little too little. Those info could have been easily learnt online at different websites. If anyone takes the time and the money to visit a museum, one expects to see physical artefacts that we cannot see at most places anywhere in the world. I also find a few of the artefacts in the Genghis Khan puzzling. I had not have the time to scrutinise the details but I have the memory that I was wondering if the description of the artefact was off or the tablet was off. How did the 12-13th century tablet be using seemingly modern script for that time era was beyond me. I am not a historian so I cannot pinpoint in precise detail where it is off. But on first general look, especially from the script, I was surprised it was dated in the 12-13th century. Maybe someone could enlighten me.

In any case, I had a great time. I spent a few good hours to learn about display design, interactive design, history, strategy, innovation, science and humanity. The various exhibits gave me insights of the human mind that has been both ingenious, kind, mean as well as sheer cruelty.The changes we need in different times show that wrong changes can kill a dynasty. It also teaches us that the right kind of thought will save our spieces and our human race. The future is in our decision making and we should never let history repeat the treachery that we had before.
Hope the museum would take this in good candour.


After the entire museum visit, I came out seeing a brilliant lotus flower floating on a tranquil man made pond. It is serene, pure and upright. And I hope the welcoming hand of Singapore will bring in just that --- pure, upright spirit with integrity.


As the Chinese saying goes, '莲花淤 泥不染' -- the lotus flower, though grows in mud, never gets stained. -- Karen Fu

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Curious Snoop on the 'Crane Dance' - its design impact & details.

via tinyisland.wordpress.com

Valentines or not, love takes flight & romance at the Waterfront on Sentosa Island. I think what I saw yesterday night was somewhat different because there was a power trip. But I have been curious over the past 24 hours about the details of its design. Fell sick with a bad strep throat, I took my mouse for a snoop around the internet. Power shut down had cut short of the love birds' story. Now I know it was supposed to be a ~ magical~ love story between a pair of mechanical cranes and how their splendid love for each other turned them into real birds and flew off gracefully happily ever after.
In any avian's case, I've found the entire show very creative: from the story plot to the beautiful choreography of the cranes' movements to how the cranes were set into the waterfront area. All these had produced a simply delightful performance. The weight of these birds were hidden not only by the dark night skies as a backdrop, but also its visual and audio technologies appeared to lighten these heavily mechanical birds felt & looked far less robotic & clumsy than it actually was. The water effects, especially those spraying out of the birds as wings made them appear to propel with elegance and speed. The accelerated feelings of this avian couple were illustrated in brightness and movement as they progressed in their courtship. The entire multimedia drama had its dramatic impact that spread across the entire waterfront area, making its sheer presence felt. I couldn't see what were the actual materials of these lovey doveys but it did somewhat offered a sense of commedy because of its comical physical form. It looked almost cartoon-like. its initial brash mechanical sense finally transformed both into to full blown natural, blood and flesh warmth real cranes.Stunning.
I especially enjoyed the beautiful play of water & multimedia presentation on its 'chest-panels'. I like such innovative ideas that brings up imagination when it comes to the arts. The whole Crane Dance structure weighs 500 tonnes: each crane weighs 80 tonnes. The whole plan could have been excellent if it were not for the power failure. I wonder if the heavy downpour in the past weeks had an impact but I think there may have been other reasons for the breakdown.
Other technical details: (extract from Resorts World Sentosa)
*designer:
Jeremy Railton
*control systems to prevent collision – similar to those used by Japanese bullet trains.
*The cranes are powered entirely on four giant hydraulic power units, totally 5,000 horsepower – each HPU is good enough to fly a small aircraft.
*36,720 litres of sea water is used in each show to form wings' – the same volume of fresh water can sustain ahe WaterFront.
Where could you see this:
Singapore's Sentosa Island.
Starts at 9pm daily.
Duration: 10 minutes
Location: WaterFront
Fee: Free Admission
Doesn't take up much time, but it sure packs one up to think about its entire wonder & how the whole design works. VERY interesting!- Karen Fu
Reference:
1.Tiny Island
2. Resorts World Sentosa
3. Further Technical & Concept details Live design Online

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Dancing Cranes from Sentosa Singapore 2011

via youtube.com

I was at Sentosa with only one aim of seeing the Flower show but ended up pleasantly surprised with other attractions on the island resort. Gigantic crane dance was one. Water fountain show with quick fireworks was the other. Took quite a number of pics on these attractions but I only took 1 video which is this one, that was taken with a digital camera's video function.
This multimedia presentation cum mechanical robotic cranes dancing in the waters of Sentosa Singapore. It was majestic eye opener until the power tripped. But I plan to see the whole performance again. The concept is very refreshingly artistic, mysterious & grand. Futuristic. Unfortunately there was a technical error that curtailed the show. Else it could have been a great sight..
Enjoy!

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Issue for thought: 'What makes a superior product innovation leader?'

What makes a leader?

Or at least a good follower? From what I know, design leaders need to listen to various aspects in product innovation. Math and Science is one; Arts & Humanitiesis the other and Conscience and Creativity being the most important. I think open mindedness and modesty are 2 prime areas for being a leader.

But I think the latter 2 areas are a little hard to achieve because ego is what a lot of people have....

Here, I am posting part of my written thoughts about the issue.

Part of my post: design education.But most part of my post: who/what will help me fill up my puzzle to become the 100% all rounded innovator? Education/work/life experience?

Quote myself:

'When we had the conversation, a few things come to my mind when we
talked about architecture and product design.
I also agree with the point about the core emphasis in science and
math. I never question about that, that was exactly why
I pounced on to your (-----) course the moment I saw it. This issue has been
a hot debating topic in the product innovation field. I like Don
Norman's arguement for a strong science and tech background. Without
that you cannot 100% control the whole innovation process of
everything. Through my experience, both academic and industry and self
realisation, I think the engineering aspect is vital. But I also think
that the humanities and arts must weigh the same. Otherwise we cannot
differentiate between a mechanical product designer/architectual
engineer from a product designer/architect. It is not easy to cramp
everything within 3-4 years of study. So when I picked my first
degree, I picked the one that teaches how to sharp and creative in
various material/appearance design/technology/applied engineering

There are world class designers/architects whose math / science may
not be to the depths of the engineer. But they are also able to
understand the concepts and workings of such math and science
backgrounds. I am the perfectionist type who would like to master this
engineering aspect which my academic course could not fit this in,
because they choose to focus on humanities and arts rather than to try
to teach all with no in depth specialisation in any. So I thought its
up to me to fill the 3rd aspect of the product innovation in ---- that
is the sciene and math aspect.

<snipped>

<snipped> I do not hold any postgraduate degrees but I was admitted
to a few very fine colleges (snipped) for product/industrial design based on product creativity,
ideas and sustainable design.I didn't attend because I had financial
difficulties even to attend 1 year of the courses before they could
offer full scholarship.  But I sat on committees for design innovation .... at (snipped) probably
because of me being the 'naughtiest' referee who refuse to get
squished out because I was poor & without a postgrad. The basis of
these courses, I feel, look at character and creativity & the sense of
thinking. But I sense your college seem to place math and science in
1st position before everything, if I am correct. I've seen Americans
from Stanford and MIT visiting  RCA (Royal College of Art, London) and
I know what I have and what they have. Usually MIT product designers
go to RCA for the art part....(snipped)

I was hoping to attend the missed function where all the profs are
there and it would be much easier to convey ideas and thoughts with
some visuals. Unfortunately it was over. The idea of product
innovation is very different between a hard core engineer and hard
core designer. But eitherway, the best of these cohorts produce the
top ideas and best designs. Dyson, an arts grad was one of them. There
are lots in Europe who are arts based. But I feel the wholerounder has
to take more 6 years academically + lifetime of keen interest in
making lives better to be a junior master in product innovation for
skills. Creativity being the most important in any science, art,
technological innovation. I wonder how your profs there think? It
would be interesting debate but right now, I want to sort my case out.
Sorry about the length of the post. I just did it at one go.

Cheers !
Karen'

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Interesting Packaging / mooncakes Design for (Mid Autumn Festival 2010

Interesting packaging made of wood and done in the form of a Chinese lantern. Simple and considerate thought for the environment where the packaging is a durable and functionable lantern after the mooncakes are taken out. The price is much less than what I was thinking. Around the price of S$60 including 3/4 mooncakes.

Haagen Das' innovative use of ice-cream and chocolate turns these mooncakes into another dimension.

Delightful colours makes these 'mini cakes' looks absolutely tantalising - Japanese style.

Regent Hotel's mooncake packaging design for their own mooncakes. The flower shaped plastic piece is used as a decoration that perks up the entire plain coloured packaging. It doesn't waste resources and both packaging and the plastic piece could be shifted and use in other packaging uses, should the need arises.

                                                                   
Authentic piece ....

Confectionaries to go with the mid authum festivities. Showing above are French pastries, cakes, tarts...etc

These are not a chest of drawers, the furniture style. These are chest of drawers made of card and plastic 'jade' for mooncakes..

All the above ar behind this entrance with the Chinese character 'Autumn'. (Qiu) Enjoy !

Land Use Design - World Population in a 1000 Singapores...

The line in the Straits Times a couple of days ago caught my eye: 'By 2050, 70% of the world's population will be living in cities in the developing world'. This caught my attention as I was travelling on the train home. Honestly I have been dreading the idea of increasing the poputlation to 5.5 million in the near future. Surely, this piece of news citing Singapore's land use to house some 6+ billion people on just 0.5 % of our planet's land must be scary, if not petrifying.

Singapore, which has only a land size of  710 square kilometers, is aiming to house some 6 million inhabitants on land. As a citizen and resident of this tiny dot, I must admit it was an eye popper news. I have been squeezing through trains, and replaning my time around peak hours. But when I start to recall  spaces around places on this tiny dot,  this seemingly daunting aim appears to be achievable from mainly 3 aspects:

1. surprisingly, there is still good amount of green spaces that could be utilized.; 
2. the way these designs of flatted properties with underground system planning of spaces could effectively save a lot of land space for a growing population. 
3. there is very little crime, and people are generally at peace, making this concept of urban planning feasible.

We are currently undergoing the pace of change where lots of spaces are still undergoing constructional change, which is why the crowded packs. Complementing this undergoing this space change would be the enlarged network of the Mass Rapid Transit points, which will see extended links in the central parts of the country. Mass Rapid Transits' undergrounds are also built with retailing outlets apart from linking them directly to office, recreational and residential spaces. For a tiny dot to remain as a livable urban city, the living spaces must grow along the rising population (both expats and local).

Checking this illustration on Straits Times [Aug 2010]

The above illustration shows the size comparison with Texas, in the US and with China. If this were the way the land is used, theoretically it would take up very little piece of land, leaving a huge remainder of the earth's surface for other uses. Though theoretically ideal, there are a few worries off hand:

1. Would everyone agree with such land use? Different cultures of different peoples around the world would not agree to the kind of living depending on one's idea of what is comfortable and even 'prestigious' living. Some may consider this as a packed up living life style where you cannot enjoy the spaciousness of greens and enjoy the big airy skies around you. 
2. Social economically, and more importantly politically; this idea of land use may not be palatable to all. It would need the sacrifice of space where grandeur may have to be taken away in architectural designs of monumental buildings. This could impact social uproar when national identity and pride is taken away via a reduction of space for these historically important venues.
3. The price of land would peak unless we have an economics system where this cost could be cut from earnings from other areas. This could possibly be achievable if we would use other land spaces for other economic activity, provided if we could keep greed in....

Space is often seen as a sign of power. Else histrorically, countries and people wouldn't want to wage wars to conquer more space for increasing political and economic might. To take away living spaces has a lot of conflicts of interests that we have to overcome. Cutting population growth is often seen as a way to solve overcrowding and many other human problems. But is a large population the main cause for depletion of natural resources? I doubt it. It could often be touted that the vice of misusing technology and knowhow is the main cause for unsustainable living. I often think that this is the most fundamental reason for our impending demise.

Don't you think so?

Time for bed...as usual..

--- Karen Fu....


Reference:

1. Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore 
2. Straits Times article 17 August 2010 

Peak Energy: Green Buildings In Singapore

via peakenergy.blogspot.com

Singapore's plan to be a green city is emerging. This is one of them by Foster + Partners. Many of the new public housing and private buildings now have sky gardens - a feature that is very useful in a highly populated country.

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