Jonathan Chen Is The SG Graphic Designer Finding Inspiration In The Mundane
Designer Jonathan Chen has a disparate practice informed by things in his life.
By Keng Yang Shuen,
Inspiration often comes from the mundane for this 23-year-old. His name card, for instance, is designed in the form of a receipt to subvert the preciousness traditionally associated with formal name cards. (It’s also capacious enough to list an introduction and his contact information, CV and portfolio, he points out.) Another work, Paraphernalia Blind Box, is a wry interpretation of the blind box (a mystery kit typically containing collectible toys) phenomenon that has been trending in China in recent years: His version contains personal belongings from within his room that, in his words, “may or may not be valuable to you”.
Don’t typify his work (see it on @thisisuntitled on Instagram) as humorous or satirical though. “I don’t think I have a signature,” says the junior art director at the prestigious creative agency BBH Asia Pacific. “Instead, I resonate most with English designer Richard Turley, who inspired me to trust my instincts and avoid overthinking about my work. I believe that’s when creative work becomes bad.” He certainly didn’t overthink his decision to sign up for Temasek Polytechnic’s Communication Design course, from which he graduated in 2019: He reveals that he didn’t know what graphic design entailed until half an hour before filling out the application form.
What he’s up to next: a light-hearted zine documenting his mother’s cooking titled Miche-玲, a punny portmanteau of the name of the famous food guide and her Chinese name.
How did you first get into the field of graphic design?
"I studied Communication Design at Temasek Polytechnic. Growing up, I was definitely primed to pursue creative work. My dad collects and creates paintings, pottery, and calligraphy, while my mom used to be a graphic designer herself. My brother was also studying film at the time. So I always envisioned myself involved in creative work in some way or another. I didn’t know what communication design or visual communication was until just 30 minutes before I had to fill out the form with my choices. At that time, I asked my brother, who was already attending the school, and the thought of 'making posters and logos' was appealing enough to capture my interest, and since then, I have never looked back."
How long would you say you’ve been in the field?
"I graduated from design school in 2020, served two years in the National Service, and now I'm one year into my first full-time job as a junior art director. I also took up various freelance jobs along the way. I learned the fundamentals of graphic design, typography and ideation at Temasek Poly although I must admit that I wasn't the best student there."
How would you describe the aesthetic in your work?
"I don’t think I have an aesthetic or signature. I tend to just do what makes sense conceptually and what looks good to me at the time. Maybe I will in the future, but I’m still learning and growing as a designer."
A graphic designer or work that resonates with you and why?
"I resonate most with English designer Richard Turley, who inspired me to trust my instincts and avoid overthinking about my work. I believe that’s when creative work becomes bad. I also admire Tibor Kalman's work with Colors Magazine and his use of provocative imagery to convey positive messages."
What influences or inspires your work?
"Many things inspire my work, but I am mostly influenced by the things happening around me or what I am interested in at the time."
Can you give some examples of how your inspirations have translated into your work?
"For instance, I designed a guide to outdoor cooking after picking up cooking at the beach with my friends. I also made blind boxes (above) filled with my personal belongings amidst this blind box craze and after reading an article about the most bizarre blind box ideas.
What are some misconceptions about graphic design you normally encounter?
"I think people generally understand what graphic designers do, but most also think that it’s a job that they can do themselves."
How would you define graphic design then?
"Graphic designers convey information to audiences in an effective and visually appealing way through design principles and creative ideas. But I tell people that we make nice posters and logos to save time."
What is good design to you?
"Good design to me is when it looks good and conveys the message to me effectively. I also love concepts that are smart and make sense."
What would you say are your biggest achievements to date with your practice?
"I think my biggest achievement at the moment is being featured on the design website It's Nice That. I remember daydreaming about being on that site back in design school, but I never imagined it would happen so soon."
In an age where AI and social media channels rule, has graphic design’s role changed?
"AI and social media have definitely affected how I work as a graphic designer/art director. I heavily rely on social media for finding good references and inspiration. As for AI, it hasn't had a significant impact on how I work as a graphic designer, but in my role as an art director in my day job, AI tools like Midjourney/Dall-E are certainly influential and provide significant assistance in our day-to-day tasks."
What are some recent trends in graphic design you’ve been seeing and resonating with?
"I think there is more interest in Brutalist and maximalist designs, as well as designs that engage with the vernacular. I think there is definitely a shift away from the more minimalist 'Apple style' towards something more authentic and raw."
How would you describe the current state of Singapore’s graphic design scene?
"I think it’s great! Everyone’s paving their own way creatively and having fun finding their own voice. I myself find inspiration and learn from many Singaporean creatives. However, I do feel that there is little appreciation for graphic design in Singapore among the general public, and the value of good design is often overlooked. For instance, a notice poster at the void deck asking residents to keep the corridors clean could convey the message more effectively with a nice idea and improved visual hierarchy and layout. Similarly, a roadside banner by your GRC has the potential to brighten someone's day instead of sticking out in the neighbourhood."
A version of this article first appeared in the July 2023 Graphic Design Edition of FEMALE