Who is afraid of the swine flu?

A pandemic to stay away from? More like another reminder to us busy people to...

1.  Stay close to , but do not close, your heart. 

2.  Ask: Who is closest to your heart? 

(Hint: be yourself, but exclude yourself from the answer).

Happy May Day. 

The harder you try...

___ the luckier you get.

___ the shittier it gets.

___ the sooner you bang the slow coach ahead.

___ the more you greet: "knnbccb".

___  ................ [what do you think?] ..............

Life's like that -- you win some, you lose some. 

Hold our heads up, live to fight another day. 

Chins Up...Stand Out

When everything else is looking down, offence is the best defence. By the time the others are done with frowning, we would have flown miles ahead. 

If there is a time to go with the flow, let it be some other time. To be the contrarian who prevails, rise to the occasion now. 

(PS: Read the news, but do not buy all that they say. If they are that prescient, they will not need to be selling papers in the first place).

Berries 越玩越聪明 － 25／11／2008 mypaper

Boardgame designed by Splash.

Splash -- between the lines, over the years

D, whom I have always held in high regard, once advised me: "To understand Splash, consider its opposite". What's the antithesis of Splash? I am still wondering. Constipation, maybe.

In a little more than three years, I have come to see Splash as more than getting active with water. To be Splash means more than making waves. As we strived to make Splash great, I began to see a deeper level emerge. 

WILL and FORCE. MOMENTUM and IMPACT. 

These qualities drive us as individuals. Harnessed COLLECTIVELY, they distinguish us as a team. 

Hopefully, in a not-too-distant future, we turn into a phenomenon. This could be a good way to make those who put their trust in us, happy. (I do wish to help D collect more happy specimens; he studies happiness).

So, Splash is not just about water and fun. Splash is the sum total of the actions and emotions surrounding what we can do for one another.

Now, how's that for the third working day in 2009?

Happy New Year. 

Splash goes to Bali 12 - 16 Dec 2008

Unveiling Splash in BMV

Secret heroes among us

Splash Shop front

Another illustration by Octavia.

Splashees

It is the spirit, message and story that matter

Many a times the "layman" decides that it is merely a super "wow" graphic that wins that game. This is not true. It is the spirit, message and story that count. Just look that any design or publication that speak to you right away and/or over time. It is never a frivolous attempt. It is always a result of understanding and clarity. Above all, thought.

It therefore irks me whenever I try to get away with "wow" without thought. This is no "wow"; just self-deceit.

I remind myself constantly -- to every proposal, there must be a purpose, whether articulated by the client or agency. Given the purpose, every proposal must carry a concept, no matter profound or simple, or both. Every concept bears a spirit, carries a message, tells a story. Story of the subject, the champion and the creator.

Let's keep the romance of design alive, along with the economics and political correctness. The world and our ingenuity are big enough to stomach all these and more.

Studio illustrated by Octavia Soebiyanto

Kram no more

I knew I would not feel much about it when it is over. We have moved on eons ago. Just hope Kram has had an opportunity to think through what transpired. I should not a Kram be, I remind myself. Peace!

A-Muse-Zing

Fall in love with your ideas. Like Ma of Alibaba says, "Believe!" Yet, Trump of Apprentice says add a pre-nup to each marriage (of ideas).

If the idea works out, it's bliss. Bliss is the fodder of confidence and creativity... and more belief. If the idea gets smashed, turn it into another idea. In physics, energy and matter never get extinguished. They transform. So should ideas. In the worst case scenario, exercise the pre-nup and start courting (new targets) all over again.

The point is, keep living and loving what we do. With design, it is simply natural.

New coat of paint

Splash has applied a new coat of paint to their website. Check it out, hope you like it. There will be updates pouring in, stay tune, stay curious...

Sunshine in Hong Kong!!! :-)

Yipee!!

The New C-Class TVC

Has anyone seen the new Mercedes C-Class TVC that features Tay Ping Hui and Michelle chia?! :D Got a feeling its done by the same bunch of people who produced the infamous Carlberg CNY TVC! What a joke to local advertising.

C-Class. C for Cheesy!

XplashHeroes to the rescue!

Illustrations by our Intern Ms Victoria Lee.
We are the new superheroes in town. Watch out, villains!

For Purpose of Evaluation

Just recently, i came across a ridiculous annual report design tender requirement. Beside the usual demanding...
clause 1.2 - Two proposed concept;
clause 2.5 - First draft of artwork to be submited within 5 calendar days from receipt of contents.
clause 3.4 - Client may at its discretion, terminate the contract, with no compensation to contractor;
clause 4.8 - Client shall have unfettered rights to reproduce all elements of the AR design;
clause 4.8 - Contractor to liaise with client's appointed printer to supervise and ensure print quality
etc etc etc...

there is this ridiculous:



Given its a speculative pitch, i think the compulsory submission of a specific "test shot" is a totally shameful and insulting way of evaluating photography standard!!!

Nevertheless, i was very desperate for the job. The contract must be worth a million bucks, i thought. So i went down on my knee and beg Lim G.E., my trusted photographer, to make a trip to the far end of the island, to snap some beautiful pictures from my submission.

He obliged. And he produced the most out of the world impression of the subject. What a photo!! thank you Mr Lim! This annual report job is mine for the taking!

From
SY

PS: Mr Lim's test shot:

Evidence

Everyone has a criminal mind. But how many can find a creative outlet? We kidnap an idea from reel life for an ironic play with the men in uniform. Does the law enforcer get it? Well, you have the right to remain silent. Whatever you say might be cited to the judging panel.