Episode 22: Singapore and the Magical World of Illustration
Michael Ng, aka Mindflyer, is a pioneer of the illustration movement in Singapore. An acclaimed illustrator himself known for his quirky and whimsical style, he is also the founder of the Organisation of Illustration Council and the annual Illustration Arts Festival.
Michael’s journey to becoming a professional illustrator
Michael had a long journey which started off as a draftsman followed by interior design and finally illustration. Mentors played an important role in his journey.
In the 90s the illustration scene in Singapore was in its infancy.
“We were so deprived, it's not like Japan, or Europe, or America, whereby you have all these systems already established, and as an illustrator you know where to go, what to study and who to work for. Well, here, we feel that there's nothing like this, everything is from scratch.”
What makes illustrators so unique
“So for illustrator and graphic designer, the common ground is that we are supposed to communicate.” Graphic designers use typography, layout, or choice of elements, they will commission photography, and illustration to help with their communication. So the illustrators would be using drawing, artwork, collage, paintings, to communicate the idea.
What makes a good illustrator
Bringing across an idea very clearly - when they look at it, people know what it is about.
“But then there are also other subtle things that are very important to me like how you execute the idea, the artwork, the technique, the art style, and also a quality of discovery and surprise.”
“The other part is the emotion whereby after looking at it, you feel something - happy, or sad.”
Commercial Illustration and the importance of the brief
“After you've been briefed on the project, you have to have a mental picture of what is it that you're supposed to produce. If you don't have a picture in your mind, that means the brief is not clear, or you don't really understand what they're trying to ask you.”
The staying power of illustration
“Photography seems to be very democratized now, in the sense that everyone with a phone can shoot a photo. Whereas for illustration, you cannot just press a button and get the image out. So somehow, there are still more mystery and magical moments with it.”
Being a professional illustrator
“You need to know a lot more than just being able to draw and use software - you need to read up a lot, you need to understand when someone gives you a brief message that is from a businessman talking about certain issues that have to do with business and stuff like general knowledge, you need to know what the hell he's talking about and how to make an illustration that can communicate an idea across.”
“I asked my one of my teachers about running out of ideas. And he said you never run out of ideas. And the same thing with style is you will find your own style, but you have to keep trying many different things.”
“In my free time, I run through a lot of weird books or strange publication that I see. I actually keep stock of them in my digital scrapbook, and then every day I will be doodling ideas that I see from these things. And when I'm stuck, I will look through all my sketchbooks and my notes.”
“Get out of the house, if you can go to Basheer, go to the library, there are so many things out there that are not referenced now, which are all which may not be in fashion.
“I also buy books that nobody will buy, because somehow I find something interesting in it. It may not cost a lot can be very cheap from secondhand books, shops, or stuff like that.”
Read his book recommendations here.
More from Michael Ng
