We are truly grateful for the two “Antalis Choice Awards” presented to us, for the Raffles Hotel Festive Brochure and Capella Singapore Opening Invite.

The biggest takeaway from the Awards, however, for me personally, was the inspiring session presented by Mr Kevin Finn (Finn Creative; Chief Judge and Guest Speaker for Conqueror Design & Print Awards), titled “Embracing Risks, Surviving Boredom”.

The first refreshing thing that Mr Finn did, was to give the audience a choice of which topic to listen to – 1) How does design affect our lives?; or 2) Embracing Risks, Surviving Boredom. Of the about twenty hands that participated in the poll (amidst a room of 200 people?), I was thankful that my choice won as majority.

I found it interesting that the rest of the people had no opinion. It seems like they have no desire in wanting to choose the conversation in their next hour of life. Was it too risky to choose? Or they were too bored with life to be bothered to choose?

I then thought the subject was quite apt for Concept Lab, as our philosophy is to “discover the possibilities”, with us challenging ourselves each day to have design solutions that are different and inspiring to others. It occurs to me that this is our way to survive boredom.

I strongly resonate with Mr Finn’s views that design is a thought process, and that’s what we are selling. His approach gives me new meaning to what we have always been practising at Concept Lab. As I longingly thirst for that, I see the lacking of brainwork that would propel the quality of design to a higher level. It could be a timely wake-up call, at our 15th Anniversary. He left us with two take-aways, one of them being “Life is short, but wide.” The length could be fixed, but we have the freedom to decide the breath of life. We have a choice. Life is like a piece of canvas and we are free to paint!

Mr Finn’s stories about the risks he took and his creative initiatives are inspiring – Open Manifesto and DesigNerd. I get a sense of completeness looking at his work. Faultless aesthetics combined with powerful copy, it’s what’s inspiring to me as the Concept Lab quality of work. Check out his website, it says “Design is not a formula. It’s an equation”, and links to his creative initiatives.

I thank you Mr Finn for such generous and powerful sharing.

This article represents the personal view of the author and is published in this blog as a space for the employees of Concept Lab Communications to share about views relating to design and / or the design industry. It does not represent Concept Lab Communications’ point of view nor imply support or agreement. Concept Lab Communications is not liable for the accuracy or consequences of the views published herein.