Milton Tan Dreambook
Dreams: a dynamic realm of possibility and the nonsensical, fleetingly masquerading as reality. It is no wonder why Dr. Tan always kept a notebook by his bedside to write or sketch the ideas that would visit through dreams. Taking after its namesake and purpose, this blog shares our ideas, observations and experiences with design and creativity with the hopes that you, in turn, will share yours.
Not Just a Box of Crayons
Individual industries appear stand-alone and often colourfully autonomous. And, like crayons, the means to mix industries are limited or arbitrary, at best.
Know your Minimum Asian History
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
“T” is for Tiger and Teams
The concept of the team is that no one person can cover all bases.
Design in Singapore’s Economic Strategies
Beyond the strangely-familiar call for improved productivity, you will not miss “design”.
Virtual Meetings are Virtually Impossible
AI’s long-fought frontier of natural language processing and gesture-based controls has made some progress over the decades, but this occasion with MM Lee shows how intractable this can be.
Singapore Plans for 2050!
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Best Progress
It’s a different world when recognition goes to progress rather than achievements.
Creativity is NOT like Fresh Air or Clean Water
Unlike fresh air or clean water, more creativity is not necessarily always a good thing.
12 Ugly Things
I don’t deliberately go looking for ugly things, nor do I believe people go round deliberately to design and make ugly things; however, the level of apathy in some cases make you wonder.
Sight for Sore Eyes
It is almost too easy to look for “sights for sore eyes” in ‘pure’ nature.
Playing Pun
I enjoy puns. Witty puns are found in all creative activity, and ‘played’ everywhere, anytime and by anybody.
Simplicity Shanghai
A photo essay on simplicity from a typical day in old Shanghai (September 2008).
(H)our Clocks
How can you to thank those who provided unwavering support and encouragement to you even when they have a million other better things to do?
Celebrate Creativity
I wrote this passage for the inauguration of the Singapore President’s Design Awards in 2006.
A Tribute to Grandfather
Benjamin SYAWE (aka SIEW) Ah Khoon (c1886-1966) was my grandfather, ‘Kong Kong’. He was more than a survivor in tough times. He was a person who beat the odds.