Milton Tan Dreambook
Dreams: a dynamic realm of possibility and the nonsensical, fleetingly masquerading as reality. It is no wonder why Dr. Tan always kept a notebook by his bedside to write or sketch the ideas that would visit through dreams. Taking after its namesake and purpose, this blog shares our ideas, observations and experiences with design and creativity with the hopes that you, in turn, will share yours.
The Wooden Elephant Story
A traveller comes across a local craftsman carving ornate elephants out of wood. Fascinated by the craftsman’s skill and the beauty of each and every wooden elephant, the traveller asks the craftsman, “How do you make such beautiful elephants?”. The craftsman responds, “First, I take my block of wood. Then, I take my trusty carving knife. And I carve away everything that is not an elephant.”
Don’t Mind If I Ask…
Don’t Mind If’s inaugural communications design community and industry survey report provides a much needed and overdue introspection into Singapore’s creative industry. If you’re part of this colourful community, considering a path in it or even just curious, grab a copy and peak at the consolidated perspectives on what makes it tick.
A Decorator Crab’s View on Creativity
Unlike specific octopi or cuttlefish, arguably the masters in the art of camouflage, decorator crabs do not have the natural ability to effortlessly replicate the colours and/ or textures of our environment. Instead, I must invest in my environment in order to pass off as nearly as masterful in this artform. My motives for survival are clearly different from yours as students of creativity. But I believe we share common ground in the pursuit of our respective artforms.
Mind Over Material
There is a little piece of Singapore’s history pocketed in the Changi Chapel & Museum, that zooms in on the artwork of some of the internees of the Changi Garrison. Despite malnutrition, disease and cramped, unsafe/unsanitary living conditions, the internees did their best to maintain their morale, another essential for survival.
Vexillology as a Case for Design Thinking & Awareness
“My mission is to get people to engage with the design that they care about so they begin to pay attention to all forms of design… When you decode the world with design intent in mind, the world becomes kind of magical.” - Roman Mars
Old Man Blade: A Tribute to Simplicity
Any razor promises a clean shave but the old man blade’s design appears to have tactically considered its value to its target user, superseding its primary function.
Supporting Local Creatives
What does it mean to “support local”?
Life at the Edge of Creativity
Life at the edge is tough but never a dull moment. You are constantly positioned for change and uncertainty; nothing seems to be ever good enough.
In Memoriam
We miss you, Dad.
The Decennial of the Milton Tan Memorial Fund
We celebrate the MTMF’s contributions to the design community over the last decade, the Fund’s donors, managers and beneficiaries as well as the people and institutions preparing our next generation of creatives.
50 Most Influential in Singapore Design 2015: Beacons of Inspiration
Instrumental in developing international design relationships, Tan recognised the importance of highlighting Singapore design on a global scale.
A Surprising Encounter with Globalisation
He concluded by saying business is no longer the same and we all must be prepared for change. A deep silence followed.
One of my favourite accounts on creativity
Creative people alter the way we see the world. They introduce the surprising, even shocking, alternative to the things we take for-granted as permanent and unchanging.
Can Creativity be Taught?
We do not need to be formally taught creativity, thinking or language, but it helps if we want to take it to a higher level.
Why some Ideas take a long time to be taken up?
Roof gardens and “sky rise” landscaping is now a rage in many cities such as New York and Singapore. It’s like, “why didn’t we think of this before?”
Categorical Error as Creative Insight
“Errors” are often relative and can open up alternative lines of reasoning and creative thought. On the contrary, an obsession to be “correct” can be stifling and promotes a herd mentality.
Where Do Ideas Come From?
In fact, ideas are all around us, but its is like saying knowledge is all around us. But why is it that some people have somehow greater access and see more ideas than others?
The Eternal Value of Emergent Ideas*
Why do we still go on as if the world around us is fixed and permanent? Why do we consider it abnormal or unacceptable when change occurs? How do we inculcate a creative culture that manages change and accepts errors?
Devoting Money to Culture and Creativity
The implied case of Singapore’s lack of culture and creativity is a different matter, let alone if they can be improved by “devoting” more money.
Choosing to be Painfully Generous
Generosity is critical to enhance unlimited human potential. There is no excuse for principals, teachers and parents to doubt this.