Tag: How to Kampong

2D | How to Kampong

How to Kampong

A step-by-step guide to become a kampong kid in the modern world. Kampongs that were once in Jalan Kayu are now obsolete due to the ever-changing world. This zine hopes to bring back the kampong spirit & to sustain it for the future.

Reflection Time

In the beginning of the project, I thought that 8pp was too little! And I was seriously stressing on how and what I can put in those 8pp that will be “enough”. Little did I know… I was grateful that it was only 8pp hahaha. But anyhow!! I really enjoyed this project because even though I’ve been studying VC for the last 3 years, I didn’t have a chance to do a zine for myself, so this is quite new and exciting for me!!

I’ve NEVER tried going all red or oriental for any of my works before and I had fun doing this. But honestly, I tried to venture out the minimal and clean look that I’m used to doing, however, after viewing my final, it seems that… it’s still as clean -_- But! That is not point, the point is, I learnt a new style which is the oriental style wooo! And I love it. Funny how the oriental style is normally jam packed with motifs and yet the simple me love it. I guess I unknowingly “minimalize” the oriental look in some way? But it still holds some essence right… 

The challenges I faced was of course going “oriental” and having to vector the stuff abit more chinese looking than what I usually do which is the modern way. As you can see… there’s still a little hints of “modernity” in the work. And I can’t really develop a new style overnight right… 🙁 But, I’m honestly quite happy with the result!! Because I guess it’s a style that I don’t usually go for? You could say this zine is a mixture of modernity + traditional oriental, and I hope it works hahaha. 

Ok a fun fact time, (source from my Dad), basically only the rich could afford a tv in the kampong days. So somehow the entire kampong KNOWS when someone got a tv and the rich household will open it’s doors to EVERYONE. So everyone will be watching together in the hallway for free while the kids roam freely in the backyard. How cool is that!? I mean honestly imagine random people just walking into your house and watches tv with you now… how weird. 

I hope that from this zine, for all you young peeps out there, you’ll be able to take a peek on how our older generation live back then, starting from their random nicknames, singlets and blue rubber shoes, to pet roosters and white mice (my mom keeps them wtf), and last but not least, having to share one television among the WHOLE kampong  – that is insane.

2D | Zine Research

Hi guys,

As a recap for my zine, I was given the location – Jalan Kayu. And from my previous research, I realised that I was really drawn to the history of Jalan Kayu. As mentioned, Jalan Kayu is rich in history, but not in the street itself, rather at both of it’s ends – Seletar Farmway West (kampong) & Seletar (colonial houses). I was debating between these two… and realised that I was much more drawn towards the kampong side of Jalan Kayu. 

So! My topic will be based on Kampong, in Jalan Kayu. Not sure how I’m gonna execute it but the first thought that came into my head was “How to Kampong”? The reason why I’m touching on the old part of Singapore is because, I’ve always felt so strongly against modernity (thou it benefits), as it slowly kills our own traditions and identity. I thought that maybe, if I were to bring back some bits and pieces of the kampong life / kampong spirit, I could preserve it in some ways. 

The first thing I thought of for my entire look and feel would be the old, vintage, oriental Singaporean look. Would it be cool to do various advertisements? Using the “advertising media”, to spread the message of preservation, I thought I could do that. But after consulting Shirley, she mentioned that it would be too… boring or too little if I were to just have spreads and spread of adverts, and it’s not as cohesive in a sense. But anyhow, I went forward with looking for inspo and hope that it might give me some ideas.

Design Trend
After doing the design trend research on the olden days, I realised that in the past, the colours that is mostly used would be red, followed by blue. Was it because other colours are not as developed yet or is red ink cheaper? Hmm. Anyhow I felt that the direction I was going for was more towards a oriental look hahaha (chinese girl here) But yes, besides the colour red, they also loveeee to have motifs and borders, and fanciful decorative header ribbons. So it’s kinda easy to spot them due to the colour & lots of motifs. 

I was quite stress about how to go about for this kind of specific style as it’s something that I’ve never tried before. Well more sort, I’ve never gone the oriental look before but always wanted to try it!!! My graphics are more minimal and I wonder how I am gonna try to wing this oriental look without making it complicated… BUT! I am totally looking forward to it, I hope it will work out in the end. *fingers crossed*