Designers dream of changing the world. See how some are already starting to.
Designers are natural problem solvers. They want to make things better for you, me and the world around us. Find out how these designers are doing just that with help from the Good Design Research initiative.
Technology
Slowing down to rediscover the city
Geolocation technologies like Google Maps typically help people find their way. But what if they help you get lost instead? Read More
Reviving ageing malls in Web 3.0
Get ready to step into “Beauty Meta World”, a virtual version of the Beauty World Centre shopping mall dreamt up by Spatial Anatomy… Read More
Ageing
Activating a new force for seniors
Industrial designer Sim Hao Jie hopes that the “Senior Active Force Singapore”, could be a useful framework for Singapore’s ageing population to stay active… Read More
Growing old without the loneliness
Can we help the elderly feel less isolated while respecting their privacy, especially those living in assisted living facilities? One design firm uncovers how… Read More
Sustainability
Drawing on elephant skins for cooler buildings
Architects and designers in Singapore have long designed with plants and foliage as inspiration as seen in the city’s lush green environment. What is newer is designing façade walls using biomimicry… Read More
Natural paints seeding nature
ties
Most creatives buy materials for their projects from art supplies stores. Shirin Rafie and Liz Liu, however, turn to the natural environment around Singapore and have found a way to work with horticultural waste… Read More
Creating new building blocks of sustainable architecture
In 2020, designer Kevin Lim started on his Good Design Research project to look into how kenaf could be used to create bio-composites for producing architectural tiles like those used for shelters and roofs. Kevin shares how his Kenopy project, a play on “kenaf” and “canopy”, has led to new opportunities… Read More
Keeping artisanal craftsmanship alive in the age of sustainable fashion
After Felicia Toh met several struggling textile artisans across Asia while travelling, the architect decided to start NOST, a loungewear and home goods brand, to create fabrics with them and sustain their heritage crafts. The efforts to bridge these artisans to the market led to NOST’s latest project… Read More
Replacing plastic takeaways with better(looking) earth-friendly versions
As more people eat from home, the plastic waste generated by single-use food containers aggravates plastic pollution in our ocean, harms the planetary health and stresses our waste management systems. How can we transform the convenience mindset ingrained in a throwaway culture … Read More
Dispelling fast fashion, one “Made in Shop” bag at a time
While participating in TaFF’s The Bridge Fashion Incubator, the company developed a new retail concept which could potentially allow them to address the two key challenges of over-manufacturing and the evolution of consumer preferences against traditional brick and … Read More
Discovering a beautiful purpose for felled local trees
More than 13,000 trees will be felled in Singapore over the next 13 years, yet these logs are not used by local designers and craftsmen due to the high costs associated with Singapore wood.With the support of the Good Design Research initiative, Roger&Sons plans to address this challenge … Read More
Interested to apply for the Good Design Research Grant?
Applications for the Good Design Research (GDR) grant run twice a year usually in April and October. Get notified of launch dates when calls for applications launch.
