John (38) & Buying Time
This article is initiated by Don’t Mind if’s collaboration with Stella from Our Tender Deeds to document and archive creative journeys of those who labour within Singapore’s Communication Design industry and community. Each interviewee answers 10 questions and documents part of their lives with a film camera.
Words from Stella
I don’t know how to tell you about the feverish excitement seeing someone so relaxed and languid start talking real fast when broaching the topic of personal finance as a creative and building a circular project. So here’s John in his own words.
John’s Desk
“I’m an artist. I like to image-make. I sometimes also do graphic design. To relax, I like to watch movies and annoy my dog.”
Lara <3
“Since doing my art/personal exploration 2 years ago, I started a bedroom interview series called Broom, a climbing brand called JUG I work on with a long time friend and also for-fun t-shirt project POOLS, which I spend most of my time on. Recently I also started working with good friends to throw parties under the collective @nopartyherehq. ”
“I’m particularly proud of POOLS which I run jointly with Konstrukt Labs. It’s a project that allows locally based creatives to freely make their own t-shirt. It started because I felt doing my own art was too slow, that I needed more experiences. I needed things around me to move faster even though I myself could not. It’s something the younger me would have liked to participate in and also allows me to connect with friends I follow online (we work with different artists each series). I think anytime we can pry ourselves away from commercial work and do something for ourselves is a big win.“
“Through it, I’ve gotten to work a different part of my brain; with Project Management, Marketing, Strategy and People Relations. All the things I wouldn't normally do if not for a project I believe in to exist. I’m still really green at Project Management, I think I’m just a naggy person by nature who gives a lot of unsolicited advice, and I think this relentlessness has some merit as a PM. I also get very inspired by the younger generation I get to meet and work with. I think their energy feeds my enthusiasm for the project. And keeps it going.”
“My hope is that POOLS will be able to provide a framework for future community based projects. We plan to share how we engage artists, manage budgets and timelines and as well as split profits. We just completed series 3, with a special KIDS series on the way in October. So maybe some time early next year, we’ll start to share what we’ve learnt.”
“I think in terms of how life’s panned out, everything has played a part in leading me where I am now. It's hard to name anything specific other than being naturally drawn to the creative field. As a kid, I loved to draw. It was kind of the only thing I knew how to do growing up besides primary school mathematics. I studied Visual Communications in university and Interactive Media Design in polytechnic. Art school felt more like a procrastination for growing up. I’m sure it helped with what I’m pursuing now but I can’t say how. I wouldn’t label myself an ‘illustrator’ since that has its commercial labelling, and I think at this point I’m more suited to drawing for myself.”
POOLS Project Drop at Open Door Store
“Starting out on my own, I found it difficult to figure out what to do with my time and the projects I should commit to. Just because I’ve been spoon-fed briefs/objectives while at school and work. So with almost full agency of my time, I allowed myself to follow my interests and take intuitive leaps to explore them without fully understanding what might happen in the future.”
“I think there's always doubt when creating stuff and then showing it publicly, I find that it's important to overcome it with reps. This helps to envelope the passes and fails into the same thing. Most importantly this process nurtures trust in oneself. It's necessary to follow through with one’s own idea even if it ultimately fails, because at least you trusted your sensibilities at that point in time. If there's no fear of failing, you're probably repeating yourself.”
“(On balancing practical issues like money and creative needs) I think it’s about figuring out how much you need a month and finding the least painful and time-consuming way to fulfil that. That’s if your money making work doesn’t align with your interests. Then the rest of the time is really yours to use. I saved up 6 months of money before attempting things on my own. I also have a freelance social content retainer that pays the bills. “
“I see it as prioritising time as the most valuable thing I purchase every month. Above travel, meals, clothes, etc. It’s always good to try setting out on your own - if it doesn’t work out, find a job then try again! P.S. financial literacy is important! Please start investing your money whenever you can. If you’re new, you can start by googling ‘VWRA ETF Singapore’.”
“My creative process is a lot like journaling except that I draw. I think accepting duds is important as it takes your mind time for ideas to take shape. I often start out drawing a lot of the same things - circles, squares, faces, a person looking right, a person thinking, a dog. It’s important to just follow your intuition and not be in a hurry to justify everything.”
“It is also important to experience as many irregular things as you can everyday. Could be the smallest things like a different walking route, different music, something new you look up online or a youtube video. As art is a by-product of life.”
“You have the best ideas. Others’ opinions are usually more distractive than informative. Follow your own vision. Base your actions on love. Do things you love and if you don’t absolutely love something stop doing it as soon as you can.” - From a tweet by @kanyewest in 2018.
“(On content he’s loving at the moment) I really loved “The English”, a limited series starring Emily Blunt with great storytelling and pace. A very tight 6 episode series! I also really love Curb, a local band. And the whole local music scene now lah, they’re super inspiring to me. Everyone plays in each other's band or does a lot of collaborations. Love to see it! I wish I could play a musical instrument.”
nopartyhere.jpg
“Something I’m looking forward to is making more stuff with people. The Singapore brand. More community based projects. A future without value-based judgements on art, specifically art done on a personal level.”
doggopaws.jpg
“Creativity to me is: Finding ways to express oneself.”