The Nature of Things

Dialogues with the Living

Year

2024

Completed at

Design Incubation Centre

Singapore is a place like no other, where the constant march of infrastructure is always accompanied by the spread of singular greenery—a true City in Nature. This urban biodiversity is certainly unique, but it also calls into question the ways in which we live in relationship with the natural world. How is our proximity to nature meaningful when our lives are fuelled by air-conditioning, moulded by office work, driven by material wealth?

Designers may not have all the answers to the world’s problems, but their skills in interpreting the myriad elements of our lived environment—continue to play a crucial role in fostering our curiosity and inspiring our empathy. This dynamic is embodied by the objects designed by the students from NUS’ Division of Industrial Design. These objects, showcased in “The Nature of Things” exhibition, serve as tangible links to the living world around us, underscoring the potential impact of design on environmental issues.

A look through the window

The exhibition is arranged within the scenography of a home setting. This presents a juxtaposition between two sides of a window, inside and outside—within human-designed spaces and without, across nature. As a vehicle for dialogue, the window encourages visitors to consider their place in nature, and to re-examine the impact human design has on the living world. This lends itself to the core visual identity, consistent throughout the exhibition and its communication material.

View exhibition booklet here.

Cats are ubiquitous in Singapore, found indoors and outdoors in equal measure, blurring the line between pets and neighbourhood animals. The semi-stray variety in particular, known as “community pets” and frequently found interacting with nearby residents who feed and care for them, are iconic to many neighbourhoods throughout Singapore—emblematic of the artistic vision offered by The Nature of Things.

Collaborative efforts behind the exhibition

The exhibition is a joint effort with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Design Incubation Centre, and Greydient Lab. The multidisciplinary nature of this collaboration bridges the fields of design, natural science, and technology to craft a holistic experience for visitors.

Greydient Lab built the digital footprint, from the interactive website to the online storefront. Their involvement extends the reach of the exhibition while clarifying its mission and vision for potential visitors.

Brand guide given to Greydient Lab.

Khee Hwee (Kiwi)