I’m a part-time adjunct lecturer who runs a multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in projects that combine art, design and culture. I believe that art should be available to everyone, and this is the reason why I started my creative studio. I wanted to curate interactive art events that are inclusive and fun for everyone to attend.
However, working as a creative in Singapore comes at a cost. I self-funded a project a few years back and blew through all my life savings. This came up to about $15,000-$20,000 over the project’s duration, which ran for several years. While it was a fulfilling project that received a lot of press coverage, it did not make money.
The buzz from the event did help to launch my creative studio, and now I get about three to five major projects a year from various national organisations and cultural establishments. I guess you could say that it was an “investment” for my career. I have no regrets, but I do feel insecure about my finances – when it comes to saving, my peers have a 10-year head start. It’s going to take me a much longer time to achieve milestones, such as buying a home or gaining financial independence.
Singapore is a small market, so the creative industry is extremely competitive. Most of the projects end up going to bigger, more reputable agencies. While I do get projects, it’s not consistent enough for me to sustain a living. It’s why I view my two jobs as a co-dependent ecosystem.
Both my respective roles at the creative studio and polytechnic help develop different parts of my brain and how I process information. I’d bring my knowledge into the classroom and vice versa.
Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra November 2023-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.