Creative Capital: The IT executive who is a sought-after chalk lettering artist
Advertizement
Living
Creative Capital: The IT executive who is a sought-after chalk lettering creative person
Beloved the raw, hand-drawn aesthetics of chalk art? Singapore-based Nathaniel Ong, 35, of Designate Studio is the chalk creative person to go to.
(Photo: Nathaniel Ong)
22 Aug 2022 06:39AM (Updated: 22 Aug 2022 08:22AM)
I am susceptible to getting sucked into social media rabbit holes. I see one thing and I get curious. Or I'll click on a hashtag and soon, I'd exist watching video after video, scrolling through mail service after post.
Recently, one such rabbit hole brought me into the functional and beautiful world of chalkboard art.
On Instagram, videos of people lettering signs with chalk can be incredibly mesmerising, almost therapeutic. To have the patience and penmanship to produce a great chalk sign is something admirable.
In Singapore, ane of the best chalk lettering artists is 35-year-old permanent resident Nathaniel Ong. Ong started Designate Studio three years ago and offers chalk art services, custom digital lettering and workshops.
Intrigued, I caught upward with Ong to learn more than.
Howdy, TELL US Virtually YOURSELF.
I call myself a chalk lettering artist. I've been chalking for cafes, restaurants, businesses and weddings since 2017. I'm also an gorging climber. Ain't it a funny coincidence that both my passions are chalk-related?
I still call back existence fascinated with Old English and Roman letters back in main school. Looking dorsum, I was always good at writing and drawing letters only I didn't accept information technology seriously. While my friends doodled Scooby Doo, Sailor Moon or Power Rangers in class, I drew letters and shapes.
I wish I could tell you a better story, merely who would imagine that winning penmanship competitions in school, or being the get-to person for presentation notes on blackboards and Manila newspaper would come in handy when I grew up?
I never imagined being able to exercise lettering and calligraphy every bit a chore.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE Becoming A LETTERING ARTIST?
I was working full-time in the information technology industry before the switch. Growing up in a typical Asian household, my family values practicality a lot and that is reflected in my initial career choice. Since I similar computers, I thought I could be a CEO with a information science degree.
At the time, I never thought that I'd be doing anything else, much less consider working in the arts. Now, I no longer want to be a CEO of a tech company. Instead, I'm the CEO of my own chalk lettering business, which I'grand really passionate about.
HOW DID Yous LEARN YOUR Craft AND GET STARTED?
Between 2022 and 2014, I started to feel lost and burnt out. I started having bouts of anxiety about the future — a quarter-life crisis, perchance? By so, I'd been working in IT for a few years.
I am grateful to my and so manager, who supported and provided me with a prophylactic space to ho-hum downward and rest. I took a couple of weeks off from work and explored Singapore. Of course, that was not enough time to effigy things out, but information technology got me started on a journey that I would not have otherwise taken.
A month afterwards, I started attending calligraphy workshops. Over the adjacent two to three years, I went on to explore different styles and mediums, from brush calligraphy to lettering and sign painting.
For months, I would religiously fix bated at least xxx minutes every day to draw letters. That was when I knew I was on to something. I truly loved the craft. It was a matter of time earlier I got my hands chalking and when I did, it was dearest at first chalk.
ARE Y'all READY TO TURN THIS PASSION INTO A Full-TIME CAREER?
When I started my business three years ago, I was looking at it through a side hustler'due south lens and was happy for the supplementary income to my day job. Through this exposure, I began to have that lettering could be a viable pick for me in the long term.
With the pandemic drastically changing the landscape, I finally mustered the force to get out of my comfort zone. In that location was no amend time than now to start treating my passion as an immediate goal, and non only as a dream.
So, I started planting more seeds and laying more ground work to plow this into a full-time career.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL GIG?
My first chalk-lettering gig was for a small buffet near my office. I admittedly loved their food, and then I struck upward a barter with them — my services for their food. I was super nervous pitching the thought to them just they happily agreed. On retrospect, I remember it was because my rates were also low!
I was on a loftier. It was my showtime paid chalk gig after all. I designed and drew both sides of their A-frame chalkboard over a weekend. I got some friends to aid me have behind-the-scene photos and videos to document my offset gig. It took about five hours to consummate, merely I was then happy and my clients were, too.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTALS TO PRODUCING A BEAUTIFUL SIGN?
The short answer is, you'd know when you see information technology. What makes something cute is subjective and hard to draw, and varies from person to person. This makes information technology difficult to go the exact requirements when approached to brand a commissioned piece of work.
I can tell you all about the principles of chalkboard designs from consistency to remainder, but I want to accost the elephant in the room: A sign has to have a purpose.
It's piece of cake to say beautiful boards are clean, squeamish and evoke a special feeling. Merely more than that, they should be fit for purpose. They need to exist well-thought and well-designed, with the users and target audience in mind.
Anyone can brand a overnice design, but not everyone addresses the problem. If you simply demand an Instagram-able design, looks are enough. But if you want a chalkboard menu that'due south easy on the customer'due south eyes, information technology has to be both clear and clean. A cute sign is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
You OFFER A FEW Different SERVICES. CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THEM?
My main service is helping brands, businesses and events attract more customers through beautiful chalkboards and signs, both analogue and digital.
I as well teach chalk lettering to aspiring chalk creatives or to people who want to explore a new medium, both online and in-person. In one case in a while, I speak at platforms such equally Today At Apple and National Library Board events, to proper noun a few.
Recently, I have been exploring products for habitation-based experiences through a new brand nether my studio called (Got) Squeamish Things, which we sell via online and offline channels.
Before the pandemic, I also did on-site customisations of products ranging from cards to bags and other printables for luxury, tech and lifestyle brands.
Practise You Enjoy TEACHING?
I really enjoy it a lot! I'k always excited when there are new people interested to learn the arts and crafts. Unlike calligraphy, which has been popular for years now, chalk is still a relatively new affair for many people.
When more people capeesh chalk every bit a craft and enjoy using it to create their own art, it makes my middle warm and fuzzy.
WHAT Do You Savor DOING MOST?
Are you asking me to choose my favourite child? Kidding aside, I love chalk lettering and instruction the most.
One of the greatest feelings is the joy of helping my customers, students and mentees achieve their goals. And I won't lie — I become so much satisfaction seeing my works in the new space they were designed for. I dear to exist able to say, if even to myself, "Hey, that'due south my piece of work!".
WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS WHEN YOU TAKE ON A WINDOW OR CHALKBOARD Project?
The whole procedure takes anywhere from one to four weeks. After a consultation call with my client, getting the quote canonical and the down payment secured, I'll start my creative process.
I use my ain proprietary quote and presentation templates for a fast and smooth approving process. My creative process normally involves consuming content and taking inspiration from various sources such as Instagram, Pinterest and stores.
I'll take photos and screenshots to create a mood board. From those images, I will mark the elements that fit the cursory.
I make sure to place the key goals and purpose of the chalkboards at the forefront when planning the design approach.
I'll and then take a couple of days to noodle the ideas in my caput, and identify a couple of design directions earlier I showtime sketching on my iPad. Afterwards sketching, I'll throw it into a mock-upwards to visualise the design.
At this point, if customer approving is part of the telescopic, I will send the mock-up over and schedule an on-site visit. This takes virtually a week or so.
In one case everything's finalised, I'll set the materials and transfer the design advisedly. Depending on the size of the chalkboard or window and the complexity of the design, it can accept v to 12 hours for a surface that's nearly 1sqm to 2sqm. If the drawing needs to exist permanent, I will spray it with a fixative and then it tin can concluding for years.
Finally, I collect the residual of the fee and give myself a pat on the back. Information technology takes a lot of effort just it'south worth it to see the smiles when the board is washed!
YOUR KEY SPECIALTY IS CHALK. Simply WITH MORE RETAIL BUSINESSES GOING ONLINE, ARE You lot LOOKING AT DIGITALISING THE Piece of work YOU Exercise?
I prefer the raw vibe of chalkboards, so my heart says that chalkboards are the priority. But at the same time, I do value digital work and fifty-fifty recommend information technology to customers, depending on what they desire to attain.
Even with most of the retail scene going online, at that place's still no substitute for the homo bear upon. You can replicate the textures and the design digitally, only it only feels different to have something that'due south washed completely by hand.
I believe that there will ever be a demand for chalkboards and this is only the outset. In fact, I accept a couple of restaurateurs who can't wait to take chalkboard designs done once the situation improves. They are just patiently waiting in the meantime.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST Part OF BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
That's a very timely question every bit I've been discussing this with swain creative entrepreneurs recently. Everyone'southward saying how the pandemic has dramatically shifted the fashion we buy and consume products and services. The shift is so huge that the same promotional or sale methods in early 2022 are non every bit constructive as in 2022 anymore.
I retrieve that the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur is to always stay with or alee of the curve. You always have to keep up with the latest information and trends, always be learning, and not agape to pivot when you demand to.
Since final twelvemonth, I have been doing more digital work and hosting online courses since most of the chalk projects got cancelled.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE Most REWARDING MOMENT SINCE BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR?
This! I've always wanted to exist featured in a newspaper or magazine, and that likely ways I've made it. Mum, I wish you tin come across this moment.
WHAT IS A Large MISCONCEPTION Nearly YOU?
Most of the people I meet think that I'm a full-time creative and that I'm super organised. I'm flattered only sadly, it's non notwithstanding true. I but look like I have everything under control.
The reality is, I'm a one-man testify juggling two different jobs. It's far from easy. But I'm working on it and hopefully presently, I tin can make Designate Studio my full-time gig.
DO YOU THINK CRAFT IS RESPECTED Hither IN SINGAPORE?
Information technology is only it is also under-appreciated. And not only in Singapore. It'south mutual in Asia to respect people who pursue their passion in the arts, but at the aforementioned time, nosotros call up that it'southward not something sustainable.
I believe things are getting ameliorate. In the terminal three to five years, I've seen the growing appreciation for lettering and the craft industry in general. Customers are now more willing to pay for quality hand-crafted items, and have that as their first choice over printed and mass-produced appurtenances.
It's but going to go improve from here. And I'm excited to ride this wave.
WHAT INSPIRES Y'all?
Call me weird only I'm inspired by what the future holds. Don't go me incorrect. I love the nowadays, too. But whenever I need a picayune choice me up, I imagine a time to come version of me doing well in my craft.
I now know that information technology's possible to succeed in a non-traditional arts and crafts. So instead of beingness afraid of the unknown, I'm even more than pumped at the dissimilar possibilities I can accomplish. When I run across other businesses thriving, I'chiliad inspired because I can be that, too.
WHAT WOULD BE A DREAM Project FOR You?
Information technology's a toss-up between designing a lettering piece for a major event in Singapore that will be shown in huge billboards, and painting a huge landscape downtown that can be seen 3 blocks away. Assist me manifest this!
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?
With the restrictions, more people accept been ordering nutrient and drinks through apps, and businesses see less need for physical signs until the lockdown measures are considerably eased.
In the meantime, I have been innovating and looking for other means to introduce chalk as a craft in Singapore. This is how I came up with Chalk Art Kits For Kids, which you lot tin can buy.
This is merely a long pause before nosotros go back to the new normal. In that location volition always be a need for chalkboards. When the brands and businesses are ready, I'll be ready to help them get back on their feet, besides.
WHAT IS THE VISION FOR DESIGNATE STUDIO?
In the adjacent three to 5 years, I'm looking to abound Designate into a homegrown Singapore make for signs that champion personal expression and all things chalk.
From manufacturing our own brand of chalk to chalkboards, tools and services such as designing and painting for boards and murals, Designate Studio will have y'all covered. Of course, nosotros'll accept to abound from a squad of one to a huge team to make this happen. Just I am prepare for that challenge.
Whatsoever Heady PROJECTS COMING Up You lot Tin TELL US ABOUT?
Information technology'due south a secret merely I'm brewing a book concept that I should be ready to pitch in the quaternary quarter of this twelvemonth.
Oh, and my fellow creative entrepreneurs and I are looking to host an event this twelvemonth focusing on the needs of Asian creatives.
If you are reading this and either of these sounds interesting to yous, send me a message!
Recent Searches
Trending Topics
arringtonwiltocking.blogspot.com
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/living/creative-capital-it-executive-who-sought-after-chalk-lettering-artist-276711
Post a Comment for "Creative Capital: The IT executive who is a sought-after chalk lettering artist"