The works of one of Singapore’s most respected designers, Nathan Yong, will be shown at Sydney Indesign this August at Spence & Lyda. Yong, who is also one of the judges at this year’s Launch Pad competition, tells us what he’s excited about for this year’s event in Sydney, and shares his experience as a Launch Pad judge.

To be shown at Sydney Indesign… Cornerblock from Nathan Yong’s label, GRAFUNKT

What will you be looking forward to the most at Sydney Indesign?

This [will be] my first time at Sydney Indesign… I am curious and quite excited about how the response will be. I have quite a number of Australian customers in Singapore, so I am more positive of the outcome. There are no particular persons I want to meet; I want to meet everyone! I think it will be a fun experience.

Line credenza from Nathan Yong’s label, FOLKS

How has the experience of being a Launch Pad judge been like?

It is always not easy to be a panel judge because there are quite a number of good works, and I need to decide which is the best. Then there are different views from other judges that we have to take into consideration and respect. Design is always subjective and there is no such thing as ‘fairness’ in competition.

Pringles from Nathan Yong’s label, FOLKS

What are your views of the Launch Pad entries and finalists’ work? Which work(s) in particular really caught your eye?

Like all competitions, there are always strong contenders and many other mediocre submissions. The finalists are always easy to spot as their work show more depth in the thought process.
 
I like Thread Light by Marz Designs. It is a floor lamp that comes with a ready made threaded post that can be mixed and matched with any number of shades. And the same thread allows [the] height and direction of the light to be easily adjusted. I find the solution simple and clever. The [choice] of material [also] suits the function and production.

Check out Nathan Yong’s work at Spence & Lyda during Sydney Indesign from August 15 – 17 and catch him at Galleria, this year’s curated space and the location for the Launch Pad exhibition.