Take (me) Away

Page 1

Take − me Away

AN INTERNSHIP IN SINGAPORE


Index

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Bravo Rocks

Inside the branding agency Bravo

4 - 13

Projects

Experience Rhinoshield The Schooling Society

14 - 15 16 - 21 22 - 29

Development

Reflection on my personal development

30 - 33

Author

The face behind the journey

34 - 35

Epilogue

Last words

36 - 37


FOREWORD

Take − Away The journey from start to finish is defined by the milestones in-between. Not only in my career but also in life. It’s silly to stay stagnant crying over mud. Start. Fail. Get up and try harder. It takes constant repetition of the same principle: trial and error, I name it take-away. Immersing yourself into the unknown, innovating your way out but always savouring the experience to serve you later. For me, that is life’s adventure. And that is exactly why I ventured out to explore the other side of the world, alone in Asia.

be Fearless

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BRAVO.ROCKS

We are a creative studio mak that matter. We develop con Art direction with more artis make-up and design with mo than Chuck Norris. We love what we do.

4


BRAVO.ROCKS

king and shaping brands ncepts bolder than Batman. stry than David Bowie's ore finesse

— EXCE R PT FROM B RAVO.ROCKS

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BRAVO.ROCKS

@CARISIACHEW: BACK TO WORK, BACK TO REALITY

#BRAVOtoday

THREE ROLLS A DAY

@BRAVO_ROCKS: #WHENJANICEISNOTAROUND...

@CARISIACHEW: NEW OFFICE PET #BRAVOTODAY

Welcom

@BRAVO_ROCKS: 6PM - WE ARE SAVED! #BRAVOTODAY

#BRAVOmischief

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BRAVO.ROCKS

Bravo− Rocks

me to Bravo

The first thing that drew me to Bravo is simply the way it screams: “Hey! We’re Bravo! We (literally) rock!”. Bold, radical design with guts. That’s my personal analysis of Bravo. Why so short? Keep it simple*.

LOCATED in Tiong Bahru, Singapore, Bravo has established a quirky little office with

12 wizards who create magic on a daily basis. The office is flooded with toys, lego and graphic design books: anything a 21st century designer could wish for. The team consists of a CEO (Janice), art director (Edwin), two interactive designers, four graphic designers and two account executives. The office is powered by a snack pantry and speakers running on full blast during office hours. When the wizards exit their caves in search for food, they are blessed with the fact that Tiong Bahru Market (a famous food centre) is only a short walk away. Around the neighborhood are plenty of hipster eateries and other design studios. SIMPLY SAID you’d wish you could hibernate in the Bravo office. Fortunately office

hours run only from 10AM until 7PM. Funnily enough, I'm usually the only person that comes in on time. The others stroll in at around 10:15. Because I don't have the key, my first weeks were spent waiting outside the door. Gradually I moved towards a different cycle: from early bird to night owl. I became a BRAVOWL.

* A couple of years ago for Secret Santa, the intern at the time looted Edwin and decide to create something personal. Result? A construction with the words “keep it simple”, Edwin’s personal mantra. It ended up laying in the corner for an entire year until Janice threw it away.

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BRAVO.ROCKS

Working− method THE METHOD is simple: let designers do their job and the accountants will handle it.

Starting with a morning meeting every Monday, a general overview of the projects is discussed. Tasks are assigned and progress is noted on the timeline accordingly. The accountants make use of management tool Asana, planning as far as 10 weeks ahead. Simply said: having nothing to do is not a thing at Bravo. Nevertheless, what distinguishes Bravo from the common Asian working culture is that overtime is not encouraged (neither is it paid). Edwin himself strongly believes in a good work/ life balance. Good design needs reflection - reflection needs time off.

WORK/LIFE balance should be taught in schools. Life is not work and vice-versa.

Yet many of us still get that wrong. Here I push out far longer workdays than I would in the West: Asians are notorious for long days, sometimes even overtime. This isn't due to laziness but simply due to speed, amount of work and pressure. A bad combination for productivity. Personally, I find that after a while I simply get immensely tired and uninspired, requiring a total recharge. This may have been aggravated due to the fact that I’d arrive home only around 8:30PM still needing to eat dinner… but there’s simply no other way to live during the weekdays. I'm happy Edwin never expected anyone to work late hours. Proper rest and time off is a must-have for creatives. The brain can't run on full engine without overheating. Even caffeine won't fix that. There's only 24 hours in a day so make sure to leave some space for living or steer right towards a total burn-out. Which brings me to the fact that I rarely hear about burn-outs here, whereas they are openly discussed in the West. Perhaps there is still a taboo circulating around this topic in Asia: people refusing to accept the necessity of reform.

Hooray!

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#BRAVOmischief

BRAVO.ROCKS

AS AFOREMENTIONED, let the designers do their job. And that’s how it was. The

designer was confronted with a task or a problem and was expected to find the solution. It is not a one-step process; Edwin encouraged us to explore many different directions before settling onto the end decision. Initially this tired me: I felt that all the hours I spent searching were scrapped within a mere 5 minutes of discussion. However, as I gradually grew quicker and more critical in this exploration phase, I felt that it’s actually more effective than insisting on just one idea. You have to stay open-minded and flexible.

@EDWINTYR: CARISIA'S CAKEDAY

An (organised) Mess

@BRAVO.ROCKS: BRAVOLYMPICS

@BRAVO_ROCKS: CHRISTMAS 2014

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BRAVO.ROCKS

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BRAVO.ROCKS

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BRAVO.ROCKS

Working− space

Bravo!

THE OFFICE exists of two relatively small places. Its interior rebels agains the

cubicle era: there’s a lot of toys, colour and an overall relaxed atmosphere. It allows the workers to feel at ease and let the good inspiration flow. A complete contrast to the corporate culture. That’s one of the things I’ve truly enjoyed about working here and simultaneously what I miss in school: walls decorated with quirky notes, images and lots of toys taking up desk space. It’s not easy feeling blue in the office when everything around you is bright and joyful… working benefit? I was assigned a workspace in the very middle of the office, benefitting from the airflow of both air conditioners, which naturally, is a very important thing in the ever-lasting heat of Singapore. What startled me was the complete silence that rules the office day (and night — pointing out the obvious). You'd expect a creative office to be more alive but honestly the space is alive and inspiring enough as it is.

I will definitely miss Bravo, it has taught me that happiness can be simple and that all of us adults are just big children. Only few can hold on to the creativity without losing our responsibilities blah blah etc. moral

#BRAVOrocks

of the story: I really admire Edwin's lego collection.

@CARISIACHEW: WHO DREW ON MY BANANA? #BRAVOTODAY

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BRAVO.ROCKS

THIS IS WHERE THE DESIGNERS LIVE

@BRAVO_ROCKS: MID DAY STRETCHHHHH... #TGIF

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WORK EXPERIENCE

Work− experience

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Rhinoshield

naming / branding / packaging / web

Fine Goods Supply

art direction / packaging

Papermarket

photography (assistance)

The Schooling Society

branding / interior art direction / collaterals / ephemera

EDL

digital publishing / event items


WORK EXPERIENCE

Besides the bigger projects I was also assigned to small tasks for completed projects that needed maintenance. Amongst this was photography, elements for a website, an annual catalogue, infographics, hand-craft, and small event product design. These side tasks stimulated quick comprehension of the brand to keep the style constant. The bigger projects marked in yellow are featured in detail.

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RHINOSHIELD

Project− Rhinoshield naming / branding / packaging / web

My first project as an employee at Bravo. I had expected to be seated with odd jobs, (as most interns complain) but luckily Bravo’s impression didn’t fail me: I was immediately assigned an independent project under the guidance of Edwin, the art director. Meaning full responsibility under surveillance. Pretty much like at school, but this project would serve an actual purpose to the market.

PACKAGING DESIGN CONCEPT SKETCHES

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PlayProof ☺

RHINOSHIELD

WEBSITE DESIGN FOR PLAYPROOF / WWW.EVOLUTIVELABS.COM/PLAYPROOF

BRANDING The client was Evolutive Labs, a phone-case manufacturer who

requested us to design the identity for two products. Bravo has worked with them before: they've designed their entire identity, hence why they return to us. They want to keep the same vibe throughout their brand. For this project they required a name, logo, packaging and website. Basically everything the customer gets in touch with. Hence it was critical to give the right impression. The naming is something I hadn't done before. We don't really get in touch with the naming process at school. Mostly, we are given fictional assignments on existing organisations. Therefore giving the project or creation a name is excluded. I don't think this is a good approach, because at Bravo I realised how much effect a name has on the entire vibe of the brand. There's the aspect of association, recognition, impression and a whole lot more that comes into play. After a long and arduous process we finally settled upon two names: PlayProof and SolidSuit. I believe the names don’t require further explanation… but if they do, ‘play’ and ‘luxury’ should be enough. By deciding on these names we immediately set the art direction. A playful brand cannot be luxurious and vice-versa, so I was working on two opposites during this project. My preference? The playful one, obviously. Playproof was also the one being launched first, therefore I've chosen to feature it.

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RHINOSHIELD

LOGO DESIGN I spent a very long time designing the logos, which was a first-timer

to me. Back in school and at home I used to see the logo as something quick, to be done in a whim. Rhinoshield however proved me wrong: there’s way more to a logo than meets the eye. So after we spent two weeks designing the logo’s, we suddenly decided this isn’t working. The question is, why did we throw away all that hard work? Rhinoshield as a brand was already alarming enough. The logos we made felt too cluttered, too busy. They didn’t align with the original brand. In the end we settled upon something simpler, easier and easily associated with the brand. This was a big blow to me. All those hours, how could we? But that kind of thinking is exactly what impairs the creative process.

Sometimes we bump into a wall. We keep trying to break it. As we lose more and more energy forcing something that’s simply not going to work, we forget that we can always turn back and look for a different

We always forget that we can turn around and look for a different solution.

solution.

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AFTER THE STORM Once we finally settled upon a definitive direction, it all went

quite fast. We were able to translate it accordingly, so I immediately proceeded to handle the FA (final artwork) files to be handed to the printer. My my, what a task this was! I had never prepared such files before. It required me to draw the entire package according to the measurements, including all specifications. Then came the colors and print finishing: I learnt a lot about this matter. How to handle diecut, spot colours, UV varnish and Edwin informed me about various possibilities regarding finish. I realised that in print work, design is only half the process. The finish is literally what gives it its touch. Hence the importance of printing throughout the process: you have to touch, feel and observe any oddities with the packaging in your hands. I spent about half a week preparing two packages, including bundle strap. A technical but well worthy experience.

Have fun


RHINOSHIELD

RESULT In the end, after three months work, I can safely say we were satisfied and

so was the client. However, to my disappointment the client ran into some issues with the distributor who claimed the packaging wasn’t eye-catching enough. They had to make adjustments as we already closed the project. The accountant reassured me that this has happened before and is simply error from the client’s part. They should know how to sell their product. We can only help them until a certain extent, so I shouldn’t be the only one feeling disappointed: both parties are at fault. The client for not learning from their past experience, and us for not questioning this matter. Thus they tweaked the packaging, you can see the comparison on the bottom.

The website is launched and can be viewed on www.evolutivelabs.com

PROPOSAL (LEFT) AND FINAL OUTCOME COMPARISON

BUNDLE PACK IMPACT PROTECTION SCREEN PROTECTOR

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RHINOSHIELD

Take− Away

PROJECT RHINOSHIELD

EXPLORATION I've probably mentioned it a million times by now, but that's because

I think it's a huge milestone in my career and thinking: exploration is everything. It is the road to innovation. Before something is launched there's at least 5 times more prototypes left in the trashbin. Whether it be an improvement on previous versions or simply a new direction, it cannot be achieved without trying everything out. REFERENCE Second lesson is that I cannot re-invent the wheel. It is alright to take

reference from your competitors. Essentially, branding studios all bear the same

Trial and error: Repeat.

role: give identity to their clients. Many of these clients come from the same

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industries: corporate, dining, retail, and so on. If you do not thoroughly research what competitors have done beforehand, you cannot prove yourself unique. It is unwise to turn a blind eye in the industry. Much better is to immerse yourself in the receiver of your message and from there build what is expected with a flair of your unique touch.


Hard work is never wasted, it's called practice.

Stop limiting yourself

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

Project− The Schooling Society My second project was The Schooling Society, a much bigger task with more responsibility. Once again seated with full responsibility, Edwin gave me a simple brief: create and give meaning their brand. But the process is much more complicated than it seems‌

branding / interior art direction / collaterals / ephemera

TRICKY CONCEPT An after school education centre looking for a fresh, inspiring

identity, alluring not only to the parents but also to the children. When I was first briefed on this project, I knew it would be a proper challenge. It made me all excited, looking forward to all the various possibilities. It wasn't going to be an easy task because the subject is quite unusual. Schools are known to be stern, strict and cold, whereas this client was looking for something smart, rich, yet casual and inviting. A complete contradiction of thought. Hence we decided to split the audience: one for the children, the other for the parents. The parents were only to come in touch with the collaterals: businesscard, letterhead and such formalities. For the children we had more fun: notebooks, rulers, pencils. Basically an entire schoolkit to promote the new centre. For this I designed two logos. We had many rounds but we chose only two logos. Another designer had also created a logo so we totalled 4 logos to show. The client ended up picking my logo, therefore I was to continue working on this project. It wasn't my preferred choice but I guess that we designers after so much training look at it differently. We seek purpose rather than only aesthetics. The client on the other hand was quite old-school so she had her own ideas on what she wants it to be. Not easy!

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

INTERIOR ART DIRECTION I was also assigned to do the interior art direction. I spent

many days scouring Pinterest in hunt for interesting and inspiring environments. I’d get home all giddy and full of inspiration, unable to sleep at night... This resulted in a couple of rounds of proposals with a lot of exploration and scrapped concepts. I had to add specifications such as types of wood, flooring, etc. I realised that branding is designing the bigger picture, creating the full experience. When you see a restaurant you unconsciouscly register the environment and circumstances. If it claims to be an "authentic italian restaurant" yet the signage is written in black Arial letters, admit it: you wouldn't set foot in that place. I think a lot of companies rush the branding project, resulting in a monotonous , typical and trend-following identity. There's nothing more to discover than the shallow exterior. There's no concept within and nothing unique for you to discover. What reason would you have to come back? First impressions last a surprisingly long time. Simply said: if there's no connection, there's no loyalty nor trust.

Endless Possibilities MOCK-UP FOR LOGO PROPOSAL PRESENTATION

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

"Use a grid, a system. Make t balance and harmony through Design lives by these words.

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

the lines align. Create h whitespace."

On the left you can see the collaterals I designed. I wish I was able to show the real deal but unfortunately the client didn't like this direction, hence we had set to explore further directions. Even though this work was scrapped, I had forced myself to make use of a lot of grids and the only thing I can say is that I regret I hadn't done that before. Working with grids has become a second nature. In the beginning it is arduous but with practice you will automatise. What distinguishes design from one another is the detail, the detail that lays in the balance. The balance of all elements: whitespace, content and graphics.

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

THE PROCESS The branding process was a difficult one and required many rounds of

review and discussion. I had a bit of difficulty establishing the direction, so thankfully Edwin guided me through that. However in the end we settled on something I wasn't too fond of. I wanted to make it more playful and inviting. The collaterals on the previous page seemed too stern to me for pre-schoolers, even if it is directed to their parents. So on this point I disagreed with Edwin and tried to convince him otherwise, but he felt that we should at leas try and get feedback on this before we scrap the process. As expected, the client wasn't too fond of it either. She literally labeled it a 'night club', increasing her doubts and worries about this project. I felt that we had a lot of good directions prior to this but they were all discarded. Thanks to this I learned that I should come up not only with strong arguments on why my concept would work, but also clear visualization and presentation.

In graphic design, words are not convincing enough. You cannot expect the other to see what you have in mind. You cannot explain an image because we all have different points of view. You must visualize it; whether it be a sketch,

We always forget that we can turn around and look for a different solution.

mock-up or quick draft.

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THE PROBLEM Starting from point zero, we went back to the exploration phase. Once

again I was looking for colors, references and creating drafts, until Edwin decided we should put the project on hold and discuss some matters with the client first. This client was a micro-manager, as our accountant described her. She insisted on her own viewpoints and even wanted to modify the logo which is really disrespectful towards the designer. We managed to wipe that idea away but communication was still bumpy. The client was taking things on a personal level, judging the accountant for her age and respecting Edwin for his status. She demanded to speak to Edwin directly even though it wasn't realistic due to Edwin's tight schedule and role of art director. Up until this point the project has been put on hold and I was occupied with other tasks instead: designing a catalogue, menu, and other small things that needed to be done for previous projects.


THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

DISAPPOINTMENT The project isn't yet finished, so I can't call it a success. But in

all due honesty I am disappointed with what we have now. I was busy working on a new concept but I think that Edwin decided to leave me out as my internship period was coming to an end. Another designer took it over instead. However I should not mourn or grief, as I have already learnt a lot from this project and that I should be thankful for. So even though I merely have draft files and nothing portfolioworthy, I do have a whole bunch of experience on how to deal with this matter. I'm preaching the concept of 'trial and error' troughout this entire report, so this is the case where I should accept reality as it is and look forward to new opportunities. This project is currently still under development. The logo will remain the same but the overall vibe will change.

Start from point Zero

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— THE PROPOSED BRAND EPHEMERA

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THE SCHOOLING SOCIETY

Take − Away COMMUNICATION The biggest problem of this project was the bumpy relationship

between designer and client, resulting in little trust. It was difficult to balance the expectations of Edwin's art direction and the client's demands. I felt that their opinions were contradictory. Had I been my own art director, I believe I would have less pressure during the critical phase of concept creation. However once again I will not grief over the hours and effors 'lost', because they're not. The experience and critical thinking I took out of this will prove to be really valuable during my career. The pressure of expectations forced me to think outside of the box, step out of my comfort zone and discover new values. The mistakes are history for the project now, and to not repeat the same mistakes we study the steps we took and try alternative solutions. So my 'sacrifice' wasn't for nothing, it will do the end

We learn not to repeat our past mistakes.

result good and I hope my ideas will be remembered.

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Experience is treasure


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Build a solid relationship of trust for a succesful result.


PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Personal− Development I’ve highlighted 3 points which I wanted to improve on during my internship. I will guide you through them in the following paragraphs. A. Acquire knowledge of the effects of culture on design B. Keeping a consistent brand experience C. Effective communication of ideas

CULTURE AND DESIGN Having spent a fair amount of time in Asia, I can see a clear

difference between the West and the East: whereas the West is influenced by

Design should be distinctive with a clear focus.

simplicity and autonomy, the East is influenced by its unique culture and history.

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The decorative aspect of their language is a thing on its own and if given the chance, is given a starring role in the design. Western languages have no special alphabets or marks, and therefore require more experimentation in typography and colour to make it unique. Even though Singapore is the “England of Asia” and therefore uses only English in design, I see a clear connection towards the Asian style designs. They are much more eager to experiment with decorative serif, whereas the West almost immediately leans towards modernist trends. The brands possess over a distinct character, much to importance in such a crowded metropolis.

Personally I am not a fan of extremely simplified design. I prefer the design to have a distinct personality, as many Eastern studios succeed in. Strolling through the city you see many shops with unique personality, each one inviting you to get to know them. To that, I'll gladly agree!


Stuck in a rut? Take time off. You need it.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Distinctive

BRAND EXPERIENCE I feel that nowadays I invest more time in exploration than

decision-making, which is a big change in my working manner. If one thing seems doubtful, move on to the next until you have enough options. Then, you lay out the pros and cons of each decision, onwards to applying it in various solutions. Do not fear of turning back nor going straight ahead. If not discarded, a direction may be re-introduced in a different manner. This is especially important in designing a brand. You want to keep it simple, but not shallow. To add depth to simplicity is a challenge on itself, and can only be achieved by proper research and exploration.

I was especially inspired by Stefan Sagmeister, who stressed this fact in a TED talk. He created a brand which was able to take many different forms without losing its essence.In his talk he also mentioned the importance of “time off”, a theory I came to test upon my two-week break in the middle of my internship. I left tired and uninspired but came back full of fresh energy and ideas. Go for that holiday!

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION During my time at Bravo I have not only been guided

through the process of creation, but also the process of presentation. I believe this is not highlighted enough in school. How you present your work is can have much more impact on the quality than you’d think. A sloppy, disorganised impression of the brand immediately draws people away. I wouldn't step into a shaggy-looking shop either, as much as I hate to admit. Even though materialisation has settled it roots so deeply into our world, we humans are still drawn to friendly design. Simple but clever, something that doesn't require too much thought. The lesson I took out of this as a designer is to steer towards simplicity but not shallowness. After all, when a designer is hired, they are hired for the quality and characteristics of their portfolio. To keep confidence in your creativity is the key to a successful career in design.

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

All the ways lead to Rome. Bu fruitful? Which one is the mo Only exploration will tell.

Expl Analyze Exa Test Try Probe Re Search Hunt Burrow I Dig Look Turn Inside Out S Explore Analyze Examine Se Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow Turn Inside Out Examine Seek Test Try Probe Resea Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Turn In Explore Analyze Examine Seek Test Try Burrow Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Tu Analyze Examine Seek Test Try Probe Resea Question Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Out Se Examine Seek Test Try Probe Research Scrut Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel G Probe Research Ehh...................... Search Hunt Inside Out Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire Explore A Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow Inspect Questio Gouge Inquire Analyze Examine Seek Test Try P Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Ou _______Examine Seek Test Try Probe Research S Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel Goug Research Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow Inspe Look Turn Inside Out Seek_________ Gouge In Probe Research Scrutinize Search Hunt Burro Out Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire Analyze Exam Search Hunt Burrow Inspect Question Tour D Inquire Explore Analyze Examine Seek Te Hunt Burrow Inspect Question Tour Dig L Inquire Analyze Examine Seek Test Try P Burrow Inspect Question Tour Dig Loo Inquire Seek Try Probe Research Scrutinize Sea Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Ou Analyze Examine Seek Test T Search Hunt Burrow Inspec Turn Inside Out Seek Explore Analyze E Try Probe

Here mayb

WHATabout TH

YOUR COMFORT ZONE

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

ut which one is the most ost picturesque?

lore amine Seek esearch Scrutinize Inspect Question Tour Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire eek Test Try Probe Research Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Gouge Inquire Explore Analyze arch Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow nside Out Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire Probe Research Scrutinize Search Hunt urn Inside Out ____ Shovel Gouge Inquire arch Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow Inspect eek Shovel Gouge Inquire Explore Analyze tinize Search Hunt Burrow Inspect Question Gouge Inquire Analyze Examine Seek Test Try Burrow Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Turn Analyze Examine Seek Test Try Probe Research on Tour Dig Look Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel Probe Research Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow ut Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire Explore Analyze Scrutinize Search Hunt Burrow Inspect Question ge Inquire Analyze Examine Seek Test Try Probe ect Tour Dig nquire Explore Analyze Examine Seek Test Try ow Inspect Question Tour Dig Look Turn Inside mine Seek Test Try Probe Research Scrutinize Dig Look Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel Gouge est Try Probe Research Scrutinize Search Look Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel Gouge Probe Research Scrutinize Search Hunt ok Turn Inside Out Seek Shovel Gouge Analyze Examine Seek Test arch Hunt Burrow Inspect _______ ut Seek Shovel Gouge Inquire Try Probe Research Scrutinize ct Question Tour Dig Look Shovel Gouge Inquire Examine Seek Test Research

YOUR THINKING ZONE

be

Almost There

HIS_

Here!

SOLUTION

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AUTHOR

Author − Julia Waraksa Born in ’98, after spending the first couple of years running in diapers, she picked up a pencil and hasn’t dropped it ever since. Once a mind becomes contaminated by creativity, it won't ever let go. Hungry for information, starving for experience, the goal always in sight: to become an inspiration to others.

The booklet started simple, but as we progressed it moved into a more experimential state. I believe this indicates my working process. During my internship I've learnt how to create a solid plan, base and structure to hold it together. Once that's all done and set is when the play comes. I can simplify, but I cannot be plain. I want to give it something of my own. Hence we move onto unknown fields, new elements and new excitement. With this booklet I hope you were struck with confusion. Were you? That's a good thing. It's the experience I faced during this 6 month period. A period of reflection, immersion, focus and reinvention. It flew by in a blur, the start of independence left me in search of who I am. I ventured out with loose ends, came back with tied knots. I'm a big step closer to knowing who I am, what I want and I believe I am on

03.08.15

the right path to achieve my full potential.

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Make th


27.01.16

he Difference

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EPILOGUE

Make mistakes. Lots and lots and lots of mistakes. Thought you were done making mistakes? Nope, you've just made another one.

— WHAT HALF A YEAR I NTO MY PASS ION TAUG HT M E

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EPILOGUE

Make− mistakes The one and only ultimate fear of all is the fear of making mistakes. I admit that I too fell victim to it. Life is a case of trial and error. Even while making and writing this report, at one point I felt that it wasn't going anywhere. So what did I do? I scrapped it. Yes. The entire thing, 2500+ words. And I have no regrets.

Neither do I regret the countless hours wasted staring on an empty canvas, expecting for magic to happen. I knew very well it wouldn’t. Peddling in the mud

be Alive

proved to be worthless: this enlightenment encouraged me to seek further. To take an unexpected leap; to change something radically. I’m a spirit that fades in monotony. I need a change of environment, people and challenges to keep the park going. And neither do I regret the hours wasted on creating a logo that in the end wasn't even blinked at. Because along the way I'd discovered many tricks, secrets and ideas leading me from one point to the other. I make sure to note down these sudden surges of inspiration. A doodle, a pin or a quick shaggy note is enough to remember. Enough to remember, enough to inspire.

BE FEARLESS, BE ALIVE

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Blustering crowds of people, each with their own story, inspire an universal language: design. A message to be conveyed to thousands with the simplicity of a few strokes. The art of effortless communication takes many years to master. So where do we start? I don't know about you, but I start thousands of miles away from home. TAKE (ME) AWAY is the recollection of an adventure in Singapore, the Red

Julia Waraksa

Dot of the far east.


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