about | Shawn Ng

I see myself as a transdisciplinary design explorer. Adopting a holistic approach, I always attempt to stretch beyond traditional boundaries, considering broader infrastructures such as social, cultural, historical, psychological factors etc. that may influence user behaviour and thinking. The innate curiosity that is anchored by attempting to understand users through these various lenses informs my design strategies, uncovering opportunities that may potentially be the next Columbus' egg.

To feed my hunger for exploring different facets of design, I've challenged myself to work across various design agencies specialising in different disciplines such as STUCK Design, NextofKin Creatives, CHEMISTRY, Lanzavecchia + Wai, working on projects ranging from illustrations, web design, furniture, consumer electronics, social and business strategies etc. I'm also a founding member of whatisdesign.sg and another retail startup back in 2015.

Through my internships, freelance works, and industrial collaborations, I've crossed paths with Government Technology Agency (GovTech), National Council of Social Services (NCSS), Ministry of Defence (MinDef), IBM, DBS, Sennheiser, Dell Alienware, Electrolux, Kohler, as well as several other NGOs, SMEs and startups in Singapore.

A recipient of the prestigious design Singapore Council Scholarship, Lee Foundation Scholarship and NASA Exchange Scholarship, I have also graduated from National University of Singapore's Division of Industrial Design Bachelor's Program in 2020 with First-Class Honors and was the Course Gold Medalist from Temasek Polytechnic's Product and Industrial Design Diploma in 2015.

I’ve travelled and lived in 24 countries, acting as a sponge absorbing their culture to understand how sociocultural narratives can affect the locals and their worldview. This exposure further broadened my perspective and my approach to design and life.

I snap transient moments here.

I read to immerse myself here.

I write about my thought experiments in design here.

*Testimonials are available upon request here.

Learn

National University of Singapore

2020 Division of Industrial Design - SG

Bachelor of Arts (Hon) - 1st Class Honours

Delft University of Technology

2019 Industrial Design and Engineering - NL

Overseas Exchange Programme

Sozosha School of Design

2014 Exchange Programme - JP

Japanese Teahouse Experience

Temasek Polytechnic
2015 Product & Industrial Design - SG
Diploma with Merit - Course Gold Medalist
Dean’s List for all semesters - ‘12 to ‘15

Apply

TriggerDesign Studios - Now
Lead Designer
Aiding principal designer to lead and manage projects while initiating meaningful partnerships in the local creative circle.

Design Associate Network - '17-Now

Associate and EXCO member

Co-plan and advise on exhibitions and events organized by the DAN committee while part of EXCO team.

Design Incubation Center ‘20-’21
Design Researcher
Collaborative project with NCSS

Research on new fields for design exploration

WhatisDesign ‘18-’19

Founding Creative Director

Co-founded along with 4 other students.

Established overall image and branding.

NextofKin Creatives ‘15 - ‘18
Freelance Designer
Aided main team in various projects with Dell, Sennheiser, Kohler, various startups etc.

BananaBones ‘15-‘16

Co-Founder

T-Shirt illustration brand focusing on local culture.

Products sold in Naiise.

Lanzavecchia + Wai ‘18

Design Intern
Aided in various works involving narrative -building, prototyping, illustrations etc.
Work from studio displayed in Milan Design Week 2019.

CHEMISTRY Team ‘17

Design Intern
Aided team in planning, preparation and design of a public health experience project.

STUCK Design ‘15

Design Intern
Aided team on projects involving graphics, illustrations, product & web design.
Designs launched during SG50 celebrations.

Achieve

2022 Design Superposition Exhibition - Curation Advisor

2021 IDA Design Silver Award - Cradle

2020 Red Dot Design Concept Award - Cradle

2020 NUSS Overall Achievement Medal (Nomination)

2020 NUS DID Gradbook - Head of Design and Content

2019 RedDot Concept Award Finalist - Verge

2019 GovTech x NUS Winning Concept - Cradle
2018 NASA Exchange Scholarship