May 28th, 2010 HJGHER
It took us about a month for it to finally sink in and we still can’t believe it.

A D&AD 2010 In Book Award for Entire Magazines in the Magazine and Newspaper Design category, placing Underscore with the rest of the international magazines we’ve stacked/aligned our shelves with; A Guide, Apartamento, Qompendium and not failing to mention Singapore’s own Werk and Guerillazine which gave Theseus from WORK, pencils last year.
The best part about it was that the jury was led by none other than the godfather of magazines/newspapers, Jeremy Leslie, Design Director of magCulture and co-curator of Colophon. They should knight him for raising the level of editorial design to where it is today.
Again, I know we’ve done this a million times over, but we would sincerely like to thank you everyone of you who’ve supported us with your constant support/encouragement, as well as naysaying/disapproval for we could have never have pressed on this far without you.
As we’re now breaking all laws of time/physics for N°2, we’re keen as candy to announce its launch in July/August. Kindly stay attuned.
Image from D&AD homepage.
Posted in Award, Design, Hjgher, Underscore | No Comments »
March 1st, 2010 Jerry

Every once in a while there comes something that changes lives i.e. an iPhone or peanut butter jam; and
between these once-in-a-whiles, there are smaller things that improve life little by little. Thinking for a Living does that and more.
A series of inspiring content, from the greyness of paradoxes to recommended readings on their Shelf section, accompanied by a well thought out grid system and a fluid keyboard navigation, the redesigned TFAL is for the thinkers amongst us who want more than just eye candy amidst the tons of image-bookmarking sites.
Visit the relaunched Thinking for a Living.
Posted in Design, Geek | No Comments »
December 5th, 2009 HJGHER
We just received news that we won a Silver Award for the Spatial Category in Retail for Kith Café in the HKDA Asia Design Awards 2009. And the best part, Thomas Heatherwick was a judge. We’ve been huge fans of his organic work since Littlehampton’s East Beach Cafe.

We cannot thank the folk at Kith enough for the trust they bestowed upon us, with complete design freedom for their branding, interior and furniture. We really wanted Kith to not just be another café, but a physical and emotional experience that could well justify their sincerity in doing what they do best, coffee (and our current favourite, kith’s special hot dog) from the heart.
So if you catch us there this week, be sure to ask for your free cappuccinos, on us. See you at Kith!
Posted in Award, Design, Event, Hjgher, Interior | No Comments »
November 24th, 2009 HJGHER
It’s been a long time coming but we’re glad to say it’s all finally coming together now. What was in hindsight a simple love for print a couple of years ago, has now evolved into our first magazine publication and we’d be more than delighted if you could join us for the opening reception at Asylum, 6pm Thursday 26th Nov 2009.

We do hope to see you there.
Posted in Art, Design, Hjgher, Paper | No Comments »
October 13th, 2009 Jerry
Call us bias but we expect nothing less than perfection from the Japanese, and the Japanese keep surpassing our expectation. Of course, we’re talking about Masamichi Katayama x Yugo Nakamura.

Visit the new Wonderwall.
-
Posted in Design | No Comments »
September 1st, 2009 HJGHER
We are extremely honoured to be featured in the only magazine (of the dozens that we subscribe to) that every one of us here at HJGHER eagerly awaits for their own personal copy. The Monocle Singapore Survey 2009, covers many of our retail faves; Books Actually, Chocolate Research Facility, Strangelets, Know It Nothing, and Blackmarket, as well as our latest branding and interior design project Kith Café, in the Top 5 bars, restaurants, coffee shops in Singapore.

The Monocle Singapore Survey 2009 in Monocle Issue 26. Out at your local newsstand now, whichever part of the world you may be.
Posted in Design, Event, Hjgher, Paper | No Comments »
August 31st, 2009 Justin
The jury for the Design category was headed by Daniel Koh/Unit Studio. Grateful to be on the panel of judges, which includes Edwin Tan/Asylum, Larry Peh/&Larry, Felix Ng/Silnt, William Chan/:phunk, and Zann Wan/Couple.

Congratulations to the winners revealed at the Crowbar Awards show held at the Shangri-La Hotel, on Fri 28th August. I hope it fuels your hunger for greater things to come.
Posted in Award, Design, Hjgher | No Comments »
May 21st, 2009 Jerry
We are not sure if it’s the P-winged pigeon or the nostalgic smell of letter pads, or simply the obsessive attention to detail, that drew us away from the Muji universe into this little planet of leather stationery.

When chanced upon No.10038 in Graf (Osaka) last year, we had a hard time deciding between Ash Gray and Black, now we’re just glad that they can be found at Strangelets, although, Black was never in stock.
Like any of you who feel romantic towards the dying art of craft and tactile, we got almost teary-eyed carrying a Postalco Legal Envelope, after all, it started as part of a research by Mike Abelson, one half of Postalco, into the human behavior of carrying-something in our daily lives. A Starbucks paper cup maybe? A laptop? Or your daily Herald Tribune?
Regardless, the elegance of Postalco is all in the details. The neat threadworks, subtle curves, meticulous craftmanship, Mike and Yuri (ahh a japanese, now the perfection makes sense) make products that don’t shout for your attention, but sit naturally in your bag, on your table and in your hand. Naturally.
Watch this interview with Mike and Yuri by the cool folks at Tramnesia.
Posted in Design, Trip | No Comments »
May 17th, 2009 Jerry
Nope it’s not the Eroticism theme that caught our eye, its actually Carine Roitfeld’s interview illustrated by Mario Testino. Although might I say, this is one magazine that never fails to tickle our b***s.

Acne Paper No.8 deals with the timeless subject of Eroticism. The editorial team has collaborated with some of the world’s most significant photographers, designers, editors, models and artists to create a stunning edition which is nothing less than a collectors item.
Get it here.
Posted in Design, Paper | No Comments »
December 27th, 2007 Jerry
Another neat little package arrived on our tiled doorstep today.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Design, Geek, Music | No Comments »
November 29th, 2007 Jerry
Dear boss, I apologize for the sudden drop of my job efficiency. I”ve been playing this the whole week.
Constructed by one of the most cutting edge web designers now Yugo Nakamura, Uniqlo_Grid is the latest interactive project from our by-default-wear-to-work brand, Uniqlo, after the popular Uniqlock project.
After signing in, you get to create, rotate, combine or break the Uniqlo logo on the grid, together with any users from all around the world. With straightforward motion and cartoonish sfx, Uniqlo_Grid is as simple and quirky as any japanese can be.
Go ahead, play this when your boss isn’t looking.
Visit Yugo’’s website here.
Posted in Design, Geek | No Comments »
November 27th, 2007 Justin
Reception party for Dual City Sessions: Null this Fri 30th Nov, 7.30pm onwards at Old School, Singapore. 
Expect no less than sashimi, sukiyaki, fugiya miyagi, california hand rolled delivery and sake to me, all served in one 2000cc suzuki party. So see you wannabe tokions there.
Posted in Design, Event, Hjgher | No Comments »
November 17th, 2007 Justin
Already wishing we never left Toyko for what it means to us, in pops an e-card greeting from Shun of Artless, reminding us once again how essential it is for us to never forget why we set out to do what we do. Another extremely simple concept executed with due diligence. Do take a look and just remember to breathe.

Artless for Issey Miyake’s Love for 2007
Posted in Design, Photography | No Comments »
November 16th, 2007 Justin
26 artists designed the 26 letters of the alphabet used as key elements for DesignTide 2007.

We really like the letters D (ASYL), N (Donny Grafiks) and W (Gento Matsumoto) for their well thought out simplicity.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Design, Trip | No Comments »
October 31st, 2007 Justin
We’re all set to fly off to Nippon right now.

In a couple of airline packed meals later, we will be running amok down Tokyo town, especially National Stadium where it is the main site for DesignTide. This is the third year running for DesignTide. Based on the continued ideology that is the necessary things in life, the exhibition will show work from the fields of interior, products, graphics, fashion and art. We’re already planning to hit the ground running so if you do catch us hyperventilating in glee, don’t worry… we’ll still stop/chat/take pics with you and then drag you along with us.
As part of DesignTide, our contribution for DualCity Sessions: null is now being exhibited at the giulianoFujiwara store at Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. This is Masataka Matsumura’s first ever flagship store in Tokyo, and we are proud to be within space of his Milanese crafted label. The exhibition is coordinated by design studio, Artless and architectural firm, Upsetters Inc.

“Null” is the brainchild of Shun Kawakami who also is the founder of renowned design studio, Artless. This is the seventh exhibition of “null” which also includes the collaboration of 13 other artists from Singapore (14 including us).
More to come about all things Nippon when we return. And we promise no less in translation.
Posted in Design, Event, Trip | No Comments »
September 12th, 2007 Jerry
Found this interesting article over at Design Observer by Michael Bierut.
Are you
a) a stylist,
b) a strategist, or
c) a stylist and strategist?
Posted in Design | No Comments »