B N J M N GRAPHIC DESIGN
PORTFOLIO
HELLO, I’M BENJAMIN CHONG! I’m a self-taught graphic designer and illustrator. I believe that good design should improve people’s lives while inspiring them to do the same for others. I’m also passionate about architecture, making and photography.
CV EDUCATION
WO R K E X P E R I E N C E
2017 - 2020
March - April 2017
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (ARCHITECTURE AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN)
ARCHITECTURAL INTERN | WOHA
Singapore University of Technology and Design
architecture presentation boards for two competitions
- Managed the layout and design of 16 A1-sized
SUTD-ZJU ASIAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME (MAY - AUGUST 2018) Summer exchange at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
August 2016 - present
PART-TIME GRAPHICS DESIGNER | ACCENTURE 2009 - 2014
- Conceptualize messages into over 40 infographics,
NUS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA (DISTINCTION)
brochures & graphics for Accenture and its clients
NUS High School of Mathematics & Science
- Design graphics to meet proposal requirements
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
SCHOLARSHIPS
July - October 2018
DESIGN COMMITTEE (MEMBER) CHINATOWN CHINESE NEW YEAR 2019 STREET LIGHT UP
2017, 2018
- Created and developed design concept for 9.5m tall centrepiece
Awarded to recipients who demonstrate innovative,
- Helped design overall theme for roadside and overhead displays along
motivational and creative leadership
SUTD UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
two roads spanning more than 520m 2013 - 2014 January - April 2018
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (MEMBER) I LIGHT MARINA BAY - Designed a 3D-printed housing for lighting and electronics that
EDUSAVE SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTEGRATED PROGRAMME SCHOOLS Awarded to students who perform well in the Integrated Programme Scholarship Test
minimized printing time while being aesthetically pleasing - Helped fabricate and install 120 “flowers” for exhibition October 2017 - October 2018
PROJECTS DIRECTOR SUTDIO CLUB
A WA R D S 2012, 2013, 2014
- Helped plan and execute weekly sessions for 50 members
EDUSAVE AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT, GOOD LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE (EAGLES)
June - September 2017
co-curricular activities and contribution to community
DEPUTY DIRECTOR PARK(ING) DAY SINGAPORE 2017 - Helped organise an annual one-day community event, held across 4 streets with 85 “parks” in 165 parking lots - Conducted 9 full-day workshops for Junior Colleges & Polytechnics March - May 2014
2IC OF STUDENTS’ PROGRAMME COMMITTEE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE - Planned and executed programme for 60 international and local teams
Awarded to 10% of students who have excelled in their services 2014
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE BUSINESS CASE COMPETITION Third prize 2012
SINGAPORE VEX ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP Third prize
- Managed 120 student liaison officers for all teams June 2013 - January 2014
OIC OF FINALE & DÉCOR COMMITTEE NUS HIGH SCHOOL ORIENTATION
TECHNICAL SKILLS Illustrator | InDesign | Photoshop | Rhinoceros Grasshopper | V-Ray | MS Office
- Led a 14-man team to produce a 3-part performance and campfire 2013 - 2014
CAPTAIN (2014), MEMBER (2013) OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CLUB - Planned and executed bi-weekly activities outside of school grounds
INTERESTS Graphic Design | Architecture | Photography Illustrations | Paper Craft | Ultimate Frisbee
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ILLUSTRATIONS Personal Works
GRADUATION PLAQUE NUS High School
WORLDS IMAGINED TEDx Youth@Singapore
T-SHIRT x LOGO PARK(ing) Day 2017
IRON MAN HELMET Personal Works
GRADUATION YEARBOOK Collaborative Works
ILLUSTRATIONS Personal Works, 2015
During my early foray into the world of design, I was exposed to many of Glenn Jones’ illustrations and graphics. His humorous T-shirt designs and art style was a great influence and taught me that good design should get people to think, not just consume. My illustrations are based off pop culture references and word plays, using clean vector art to make it playful and more recognisable. The use of bright colours and humour complement the designs, creating a friendly and approachable atmosphere
GRADUATION PLAQUE NUS High School, 2014
In NUS High School, the graduating cohort of the year is asked to design a plaque to be mounted in the school. Made of etched steel, it is presented as a memento and represents the cohort, to be seen by future students and visitors to the school. A few designs were submitted, and my design was chosen through popular vote. The plaque design was inspired by late 1890s vintage typography, which complements the design medium. The use of various fonts reflects the diversity of the cohort, and along with the use of embellishments, gives the plaque a handwritten look. The phrase “Six years and a lifetime” was used as a reflection of our sixyear academic programme, which took up most of our adolescence, giving an impression of it taking up much of our life.
WORLDS IMAGINED TEDx Youth@Singapore, 2014
TEDxYouth@Singapore is a local, independently organized event for and about young people where speakers spark deep discussion through relevant topics and issues. I was asked to create a poster set that reflects the overall theme of “Worlds Imagined” and also would attract participants to the event. Because it had to appeal to teenagers and young adults, I decided that a flat, geometric design would be the most appropriate style, given its clean and simple look. The red banner against a blue background draws the viewer’s eyes to the centre of the poster, where the theme of the event is displayed, along with the relevant information. The Singapore flag adds a sense of location to the event, without being too obvious.
T-SHIRT x LOGO PARK(ING) DAY, 2017
In 2017, SUTD organised Singapore’s fifth edition of PARK(ing) Day, an annual global event to transform parking lots into community spaces. While in the organising committee, I was inspired to create a logo for the event, but due to some issues, it was instead used as a T-shirt design. I wanted the design to be not just aesthetically appeasing, but to explain what PARK(ing) Day was about in one image. The design makes use of both the positive and negative space; the negative space being two parked cars, while the positive space is a large tree. This contrast explains how carparks are not just for cars, but can be spaces for the community when seen in a different perspective. In a serendipitous turn of events, the design was used as the logo for PARK(ing) Day 2018, and hopefully for more to come.
IRON MAN HELMET Personal Works, 2013
Throughout their fifth year at NUS High School, students are required to stay on campus. Towards October, an annual themed dinner was held where students could dress in accordance to the theme, “Pop Culture”. I took this opportunity to start what would be the first of many personal projects. Having gone through several iterations, the final design was an modification of designs I found online. It replicates the Iron Man helmet from the Marvel comic series of the same name. Given that it was a full helmet and not just a mask, a retractable back piece was incorporated to allow for easy removal and wear. The face mask was also removable, akin to the fictional counterpart, and LED lights were mounted behind the eyes so the mask could light up, which made it appear to come alive.
GRADUATION YEARBOOK Collaborative Works, 2014
Every graduating cohort of NUS High has traditionally produced their own graduation yearbook as a keepsake for students and teachers, which include individual and class photos, along with messages from the teaching staff. A small team was put together and I was responsible for the design and layout of the yearbook. The layout uses different colours to represent each class, making them easy to identify from a glance. It incorporates many photos of the cohort from various school events through the years, giving the reader insight into the students and school culture. Personalized quotes were also included, along with an individual journey graphic which charts their course through different years and classes, to give each student a unique identity within the book.
T H A N K Y O U
benchongmc@gmail.com