Singapore Design Week 2018
Image adapted from: Yoga Movement
For most of us, design is something we’ve stopped doing after secondary school. With Singapore Design Week 2018 in town, it might finally be time to sit up and pay a little more attention, seeing as it exists everywhere in our daily lives.
Take a break from the usual movie-and-dinner routine during your next lepak sesh. From 5th to 18th March 2018, you can admire gorgeous installations, enjoy live music, participate in fun workshops and simply soak in the festivities of all things design. To help with your weekend plans, we’ve sussed out 10 activities you can do here.
1. Explore pop-up concept houses along Holland Village at District Design Dialogue
Image credit: District Design Dialogue
Holland V, commonly synonymous with watering holes, makes way for the District Design Dialogue from 10th to 18th March 2018. Featuring a series of pop-up concepts around the neighbourhood. 10 black-and-white terraces at Chip Bee Gardens will be transformed, each featuring a different area of interest such as Literature, Food, Fashion, and Art.
For instance, 52 Jalan Kelabu Asap will become Sole Superior’s HOUSE PARTY – an exhibition of the brand’s sneakers and streetwear.
Image credit: District Design Dialogue
At the same time, 64 Jalan Kelabu Asap will morph into the House of EYEYAH!, a walk-in wardrobe filled with giant artworks, animations, and interactive workshops.
Date: 10th – 18th March 2018
Price: Free admission to houses (Certain activities may be ticketed)
Address: Various locations at Holland Village
Website
2. Visit flea markets, make-up workshops, and a mini-film festival at Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Sprawl
Image credit: @frinally_fete
If Holland V isn’t up your alley, simply head to Bugis to get your art fix at the Bras Basah. Bugis Arts Sprawl. The event features a myriad of performances, workshops, street art, and installations. Some of the ones worth looking out for include the free make-up workshop, the fashion show, and the mini film-festival.
Date: 16th – 17th March 2018
Time: 4PM – 10PM
Price: Free
Address: Various locations at Queen Street
Website
3. Attend crafts workshops and #supportlocal by shopping for homemade products at MAAD
Image credit: @maadpyjamas
Fans of all things local should definitely check out Market of Artists And Designers (MAAD) at the Red Dot Design Museum. You’ll find original works like paintings, pottery, and even jewellery from 50 makers from Singapore as well as Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia.
Image adapted from: reddot design museum
Besides shopping, you can also take part in free workshops* where you can learn the art of bookbinding or create your very own bespoke greeting cards. Haruna Yamada and Hirokazu Kobayashi from Spread Ltd will also introduce how to use HARU tapes and the multi-layered appearance of colour to build effective communication.
*For the full list of workshops, click here.
Date: 9th – 11th & 16th – 18th March 2018
Time: 3PM till late
Price: Free (Marketplace only)
Address: Red Dot Design Museum, 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940
Website
4. Create art from recycled materials at SUSS’ workshop
Image credit: @eggspressions
Instead of consigning your recyclables to the recycling bin, breathe new life into them by transforming them into your own piece of art. Head to the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ art workshop on 10th March 2018 where you’ll design your own work by experimenting with various techniques like stenciling, and scraping. Materials will be fully provided but hurry and register* early as slots are limited.
*Register your interest by emailing sharonchanmf@suss.edu.sg
Date: 10th March 2018
Time: 1PM – 3PM
Price: Free
Address: Block C, Level 3, SR C.3.08, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore 599494
5. Marvel at creative installations at SingaPlural
Whether it’s to admire the architecture or to add a dash of sophistication to the ‘gram, there’s something about art installations that appeal to Singaporeans. For those who want in, head to SingaPlural where a surfeit of beautifully-designed works await you.
Play Book
Image credit: @onotram
Among them is the Play Book which is inspired by a pop-up book. Designed for the young and the young-at-heart, the installation opens up into four colourful panels allowing you to play pretend.
SingaPlural
Image credit: DesignSingapore Council
But the pièce de résistance is the Formica for More structure which utilises special woodworking techniques to overcome the usual brittleness of Formica, the laminate material used to make tabletops, and achieve the huge dome curvature.
Date: 5th – 18th March 2018
Opening Hours: 9AM – 9PM
Price: Free
Address: National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road, Singapore 188969
Website
6. Learn how to grow plants from paper seed balls
Image credit: Free Stock Illustrations
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create paper seed balls out of recycled paper. Perfect as personalised gifts, these environmentally-friendly balls will even germinate into plants which makes them perfect decorative pieces in any form.
All materials will be provided in this 2-hour workshop and you’ll get to keep your creations.
Date: 16th March 2018
Time: 7PM – 9PM
Price: $30
Website
7. Go on a walking trail around urban areas at The City Ramble
Image credit: The City Ramble
Wander around the CBD and you might see buildings like the Quadrant and the Mill that have such grand designs, you can’t help wanting to explore them.
Well, you now can with The City Ramble. Through this programme, you can either buy an urban guide which comes with a free walking trail of 25 places or attend design workshops led by design professionals and heritage experts.
Date: 10th & 11th March 2018
Time: Various timings
Price: $12 – $70
Address: Various locations
Website
8. Weave your very own surfer bracelet
Image credit: @nuco.design
Surfer bracelets never go out of style. They pair well with almost any outfit and if you lose one, buying a replacement won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
For those who’d like to stock up on these beauts, sign up for this workshop and learn tips on hand knotted methods to create your very own Hawaiian Surfer-styled waving bracelet. All materials will be provided, and you’ll get to keep your creations.
Date: 11th & 18th March 2018
Time: 11th March: 5PM – 7PM | 18th March: 7PM – 9PM
Price: $30
Address: Red Dot Design Museum, 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940
Website
9. See cute Japanese dolls at Polkaros Hinamatsuri
Image credit: Polkaros
Don’t expect to see the usual Barbie and My Little Pony models at the Polkaros Hinamatsuri exhibition. Instead, be amazed by the intricate craftsmanship put into the dolls, which are inspired by hina-ningyō – a type of traditional Japanese doll.
Keeping in line with the doll theme, the exhibition also features works inspired by the Japanese traditional festival “‘Hinamatsuri”’, also known as “Doll’s Day”.
For those who’d like to add a new member to their doll collection, artist Ros Lee will be conducting a workshop inspired by hina-ningyō on Saturday, 10th March 2018. You will learn to make mini figurines of your own using white stone clay imported from Japan.
Date: 3rd – 17th March 2018 (Closed on 11th & 12th March)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 6PM
Price: Free (Exhibition only)
Address: Japan Creative Centre, Embassy of Japan in Singapore, 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372
Website
10. Enjoy live performances, an AR photobooth, and free manicures at Urban Ventures Street Party
Image credit: @urbanventuressg
The words “street party” might conjure wild imagery of excessive shenanigans but rest assured, Urban Ventures Street Party is nothing but good, clean fun. In fact, there’s a something for everyone at this 2-day festival. You’ve got live performances from local acts like Ffion, and Spacedays, a drawing workshop, an AR photo booth, and even a yoga class!*
There’s even a free express manicure if you come on 17th March 2018.
Image credit: @urbanventuressg
Food and drinks are also sold at the party so don’t worry about partying too hard. Take the party to the streets and make a day out of it.
*For the full line-up of events, click here.
Date: 17th – 18th March 2018
Time: Saturday: 2PM – 1030PM | Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
Price: Free admission (Certain activities may be ticketed)
Address: Keong Saik Road
Website
Learn about the importance of design at Singapore Design Week 2018
Image credit: @designsingapore
From the soles of your sneakers to the zipper in your purse, the impact of design on our daily lives can’t be denied. Design is everywhere, in everything. Even the simple deed of reading this article on your smartphone is made possible through design. To celebrate all things design, head to the Singapore Design Week 2018 from 5th to 18th March 2018; show your support for our designers and at the same time, be inspired to create something great of your own!
Find out more about Singapore Design Week 2018 here!
This post was brought to you by DesignSingapore Council.