Inclusivity in Design – Temasek Poly Students Show You How It’s Done!

Sign Language Embodied in Fashion Wear
Up-sized Carnival Sheds Light on Achondroplasia
Understanding the World of Autism

The Design Show 2020 @ www.instagram.com/tpdesignshow

As Singapore works towards building an inclusive society, it is important for the public to be increasingly aware of how to make inclusion effective. More than 400 Temasek Polytechnic (TP) School of Design final-year students have embarked on projects that are close to their hearts, with the intention of removing barriers and obstacles faced by people living with disabilities.

Sign language is used by a communicator who is hearing or speech-impaired, and whenever vocal communication is impossible. Consisting a combination of coded manual signals, reinforced by facial expression and movement of the hands, arms and fingers, sign language emerges as a silent but beautiful way of communication. Apparel Design & Merchandising student Sebrina Ng, who is hearing- impaired, translates the beauty of this into artistic garments using symbolic motif prints and stitching—one fashionable top even says “Nice to meet you” in sign language.

As part of her project, Eye Listen, she also creates exquisite acrylic jewellery (earrings) that display the words “hello” and “bye” on each side. Sebrina, who knows well the importance of sign language, gives tribute to those to use it in their daily lives, through her expressive fashion garments. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9v4qwQHsg6/

Communication Design student Darelene Tan lives with achondroplasia (dwarfism), and her project raises awareness about her condition and why people should change their mindset to be more empathetic. Darelene introduces a carnival concept that has up-sized booths and games that showcase the physical constraints people with achondroplasia face in their daily lives.

Carnival booths will be a magnified version for an average-heighted person so that they can understand the difficulties for someone who is five foot tall, and experience their challenges. For example, reaching for the accelerator in a race car game or putting in more effort for counter-top games. Darelene’s project, 5 Feet & Above, hopes to raise awareness on her physical condition, and encourage the public to be more understanding and inclusive to her community.  https://www.instagram.com/p/B9thrzwH_Ee/

One in 150 children in Singapore has autism, a higher rate than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) global figure of one in 160 children. Communication Design student Ong Wee Kiat has based his project, Appreciating Autism, around the importance of awareness and acceptance of autism in our society.

Videos of families living with autistic members, an Instagram support page for community connection, and a website to increase awareness and create opportunities for people living with autism are some of the ideas he has brought to life. Wee Kiat hopes to break barriers by diving deeper into the lives of the autistic community and shedding light on embracing people (and families) with autism, who need our support in their journeys. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9qBjjogjAJ/

These are among some 400 projects across fashion, architecture, film, product design and communication design disciplines which are being showcased by the 2020 graduating class of TP School of Design on www.instagram.com/tpdesignshow .