Week 9 - Lim Chong Jin's Talk

The Danger Graph

I do resonate with the danger graph. As a designer, if you know so little, you can’t take responsibility to the works you’ve done. Every work being showcased to the world is connected with inter-social and cultural elements in the society. Lack of knowledge and awareness would not only be limiting, but also harmful.

When you have a so-so knowledge, you are faced with millions of questions in the world, and they make you confused. It is a phase of exploration and questioning. I feel like I am in this phase right now. I am still not brave enough to go out to the world and make a statement, because I have so many things to learn.

When I do have a great amount of knowledge, I would be unstoppable. Getting knowledge is one thing, but receiving wisdom and finding your own voice? That is what becoming a designer is all about. Anyone can receive a good amount of knowledge, but your voice and purpose is what stands you out. And when we do get enough exposure in the design world, we get to understand more of speculative designs. Constantly reimagining future scenarios and then having the courage to actually create. It would leave a mark on the world.

The Comfort - Success Graph

To really having success is to go out of your comfort bubble. Being familiar is good, but it doesn’t really push you to do even greater things. Success is not always about the result, but the process. Getting out of your comfort zone, is already a success. It is the first step of reaching your goal, and these little steps are building the stairs slowly.

Insight-Foresight-Oversight-Hindsight

I think that curiosity is what drives the shift from Insight to Foresight. One must ask many questions and reimagine multiple future scenarios.

Critical thinking is what drives Foresight to Oversight. In everything, there are layers. Problems, conflicts, contradictions. Whenever there is a new situation, problems come along. And it is a designer’s job to analyze, recognise patterns, and learn from pre-existing data to somewhat solve these problems.

Oversight to Hindsight requires interpretation from a designer. When we do have data, what does it mean? What will this be in the future? Design is storytelling, and this process somehow illustrates the third act of a story. Finding clarity is what design is all about.

"Everything is an expression; Impressive Expression"

Expression cannot be only expressive but impressive. It has to resonate to you and to your audience. To provoke questions, showcasing layers and dimensions of you as a designer and also of the world around us.