wREGA Anniversary dinner

The rare hand-stenciled logo was meticulously hand crafted on the cake by Koh himself ( talking about a dying art Koh.) 

On Friday 16 December 2008, wREGA celebrated its 8th Anniversary in a local Cafe in Phileo Damansara. I think this was one of the very few rare occassions where the Association celebrated an event of this sort. It was a very quiet affair attended by about 10 existing and newly joined members.

The Association could well be more than 8 years old considering the fact that it was first registered as a Selangor Chapter before it was re-registered as the official Graphic Design Association of Malaysia.

It was 10 years ago, where 7 of us designers  got together for the first time in a small cafe in Sri Hartamas and initiated this Association. Now if I can recall it was Me , Melissa Wong, William Harald Wong and a few others (damn can't really recall who the rest). Man, thats how long it was, and to think this was part of a design history. Got to do some research soon.

Anyway, the same question year in and year out that comes to mind - 'relevance of the Association with the times'

Past President Melissa Wong, current president Koh and past president Ken Tan cutting the anniversary cake specially bake by Mrs Koh. 

Among the attendees, Jay, Gina, Debbie, Kenneth Lam, Pooi to name a few.

Happy birthday wREGA . 

smalltalk on bukit antarabangsa

Last night at 'Ole Cafe' Changkat Bukit Bintang I presented an informal kakireka smalltalk about the recent Bukit Antarabangsa landslide. What was suppose to be a personal account as a designer reserved for my blog ended up as a public presentation to my fellow comrades in the creative industry.

At first I was quite sceptical on the topic with regards to its relevance but as I dwelt deeper into it I realised that it was actually an eye opener for our well being as responsible designers.

Thanks to Gary and of course Kenneth for persuading me into presenting this talk when we had our brainstorming session in Mid valley a fortnight ago.

Thank you for those who have given their relentless support to the smalltalk.

Its one way of realising our hope that designers be 'thinking' designer rather than just a 'visualising' designer.

click here to access the link to the presentation on pdf.

In conclusion, the talk ended with a question thrown at the audience on the willingness of us designers going down to 'ground zero' and contribute like the good people from the SPCA.

Felda Jengka 3

... is part of the Jengka Triangle (Segitiga Jengka), which is the largest FELDA settlement in Malaysia.

For this trip it was a solo ride from KL through the Karak highway exiting Chenor onto the plantation trunk road totaling a distance of about 176km, one way.

The lovely tree-lined road that leads into Felda Residence Tekam where the artiste and Mr Client stayed. It is situated in the middle of an oil palm plantation and is one of the six ecotourism and agro-tourism resorts managed by FELDA Agricultural Services Sdn Bhd (FASSB).

modern facilities with swimming pool in the middle of nowhere.

35 minutes away from this wonderful resort is Felda Jengka 3 which was the 2nd venue for the Gempak Desa Astro held on the 1st of Nov 2008.

Again scores of locals swamped the event in an effort to enjoy a musically filled carnival with their favourite idols which usually don't happen that often.

We were better organised this time and quicker in setting up since we have learned quite a bit from the experience of the first venue in Semenchu, Johor.

Indulgently, the ride back home was cool and relaxing passing through undulating hills of plantation territory with the occasional scampering of 'ayam kampung' running along the road shoulder while avoiding the unsuspecting cows and billy goats crossing without warning. It was full speed ahead onto the East West highways before meandering through the tight corners of Karak and heading onto the middle ring road on route for home.

GDA@Felda Semenchu

Gempak Desa Astro Roadshow

.....was successfully launched last Sunday at the very first venue (new season) in Felda Semenchu, 42km from Kota Tinggi Johor.

The weather was very kind indeed and the local folks had a jolly good time dressed in their best with children appearing as early as 7.00 in the morning.

Overall turn up was very satisfying, guesstimate around about 2000 people including the nearby Felda Ayer Tawar and its vicinity.

• Straight ahead to Kota Tinggi • partners in crime

Some interesting observations…

• The local folks tend to remove their shoes when they enter the thematic tents.

• The kids were literally lying on the floor sleeping and play fighting with each other while watching Ben 10 on 42" LCD screens generously displayed within the premises.

• There is no way one can implement strict rules on illegal vendors mushrooming at strategic areas as the RELA security guards happen to be their friends from the same kampung.

• The kids at an early age displaying profound skills (demands of a future mat rempit) in performing 'wheelies' on their bicycles

• The historic victory of Liverpool beating Chelsea was telecast 'live' witnessed by the locals. (hehehe... got to put that one in)

Geng-Geng Gempak

Our newly designed tents, artist t-shirts, mobile stage, environmental graphics & programes

A small show for us with a BIG meaning for the locals, and Mr client so far has been very cool...... as the sales were very encouraging. Who says the desa folks lack purchasing power?

One down, eleven more venues to go.... and the corners and bends snaking through palm oil territory makes the whole journey an euphoric 'kundiger' and challenging experience for a high powered two wheeler 'mat rempit'.

Bangkok Lane revisited

There are more than just food, architectural heritage and quaint homes along Bangkok Lane, Penang. A pleasant surprise, was the intimate atmosphere and artistic elegance of A2 Gallery founded by two artists namely Jeff and Alfred. 

The latter was kind enough to enthusiastically show me around the current exhibition by artist Jane Yap whose works were magnificiently enhanced by the interior architecture of the gallery. 

Along Bangkok Lane, sits A2 Gallery, where Alfred curates.

Staircase to more works, where young heart dreams of..

sitting where Jane's works are currently being displayed.

Worthwhile dropping by in Penang or in cyberspace. 

http://www.a2artgallery.com

some pix courtesy of   

a2 Gallery,

27 Bangkok Lane, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.

Tel: + 604 227 4985

Design association

It was a momentus occassion when the Graphic Design Association officially launched their website on the 24th September at Ole Cafe in KL. Unfortunately, I had to attend the office 'berbuka puasa' and could not make it in time for the event.

Almost a decade ago, a handful of us founded the association and successfully registered the organisation in early 2001. It has come a long way ever since with many challenges encountered through the years .

Congratulations wREGA.

http://www.wregamalaysia.blogspot.com/

Raya Greetings

It is the time of the year where one has to decide whether to send Raya greetings in the traditional form of a card, or an e card or an sms or not send anything at all. As usual, its always a last minute effort when one seems to be very busy all the time.

When one has to design the company's own corporate card, one has to consider the concept and the communicating message.

Eventually, what strikes the mind was the talented emilayusof's illustration, which more often than not I regularly visit her blog .

I wrote emila an email and explained my intentions, briefed her about the message of 'environmental awareness' taking the kampung as a good example for the illustration.

The masterpiece.... from http//emilayusof.com

the pix before emila transformed it into the 'illo' world

The beauty of it all at this eleventh hour, is the ease of executing the concept to fruition right in the comfort of your home. I took pictures of the staff and sent to her and in a jiffy walla - SIAP. Emila was so efficient that everything was briefed, presented, amended and produced within 36 hours. Kudos Emila, it was different, beautiful and original.

the card reduced for hampers

Talk about technological marvel assisting creativity.

Hope the client is amused and gives us more jobs ....

moleskine wanabee

It may not be the real thing but I found these not so expensive soft sketchbook ala moleskine called monologue by grandluxe.com. There is no inside pocket but fairly thick reasonably good paper with a band attached across the hard cover. 

I had to purchase 3 pieces, one each for Aidil, Haiqal and Shaqil, and it is truly cost effective :-) only rm 12.00 each from times bookstore.

While waiting for 'berbuka puasa', with full of enthusiasm, work commenced immediately.

Well new broom sweeps clean and hopefully not the hot hot chicken shit!

The whole idea is the will to practise sketching on whatever paper.

Capturing that 'magic' moment

Last Friday, while on a reccee trip to Melaka, I stumbled upon this realisation.

Excellent photography is not about a fancy camera, or an excellent subject matter or even some special effects. 

Its all about the photographer!!! The patience in capturing that magic 'moment' in freezing time.

This enthusiastic gentleman continues to persevere .....just to find the right 'moment' even if it takes him a life time. 

Tabik spring sir, for all this life-long passion.

Moleskine inspiration

At last a page in my Moleskine got drawn. I had no direction, just followed my 'feel' stopped and continued without pressure and by the end of it I almost finished this work. 

coincidently, I drew on a page next to a concept drawing of a moblie kitchen which is totally in contrast with this organic form.

It has been ages since I doodled and come to think of it must be the mee mamak Bangkok Lane in Penang that inspires me. Not bad for starters, even though I have no idea what I did.

visual thinking

Whether its in a name or a logo, designers must always be aware of local sensitivities and not evoke or depict negative connotation deliberately or otherwise.  When I first saw it a few days after it was launched I told my good friend Mazlan  - "remove the red logo and what do get?"

This was the corporate signature when it was first launched

And this was after they lifted the 'BAN'

So much for improving credibility of our local 'designers' or was it a foreign designer unfamiliar with the local landscape?An expensive lesson indeed, and we have not even discuss about the design yet.

source of creativity

an invitation  by CRN to the opening of its new premise in Petaling Jaya. This hot shot ad agency is owned by a friend whom I had the privilege to collaborate with in a campaign to promote 'Planter's Haven' (Sime Darby Property) sometime in June last year.

catching up with old friends and rubbing shoulders with new ones

incubating galleriiizu

Selamat datang... collectors !



After such a long silence, I finally managed to catch up with izu of galleriiizu to find out what he has been up to lately. Quietly but surely the building of another 'treasure chest' is progressing steadily within Kuala Lumpur slated to be launched sometime before the year ends. Having known him since his early days, galleriiizu has been moving around for quite a bit from a private gallery in Bukit Antarabangsa, to Tasik Titiwangsa, to Bukit Tunku to Menara UOA to Annexe Central Market and finally to Hotel Shangri-La. He will announce pretty soon his plans and innovative concepts of this new gallery which I can safely say would be more 'personalised' in its offerings.
A couple of days back I had the privilege to attend a 'site visit' with the man himself and I am proud to share a glimpse of his new 'baby'. 

Izu busy picking freshly ripe mangoes in the courtyard. Planned in the foreground will be a lap pool situated right infront of the doorway (a hundred year old door)

.... juicy fresh mangoes anyone?