NOTCOT.COM

NOTCOT / CONTENTS DEC 2021

CONTENTS 04

Interview - LIM ZHE YAN

Interview - Michelle Yap 06

Packaging - Uniquely J from JET.com 08

Tutorial - Design with illustration 10

Book review - Shiro Kuramata, the Exceptional Designer of 14
Furniture and Interiors 16

Website - Sabah Art Gallery

Event Listing - KL Art Event 2021 18

Subscription page 22

Exhibition Showcase - Homebound solo event by 23

Yoskay Yamamoto

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NOTCOT / INTERVIEW : Lim Zhe Yan DEC 2021

1 Graphic Designer : Lim Zhe Yan
Hello. I am Zhe Yan is a Malaysia graphic designer from
Kuala Lumpur. I really like graphic design and full of
passion in design.

2 Welcome to NOTCOT, could you let us know
when you start your design journey?

Basically I start my design career is abit late, before that I’m a IT guy who
doing a 9 to 6 job, I started to find something to learn to enhance myself,
that’s my design journey were start. One day I realise that doing design give
me sense of achievement more that fixing a hardware, so that time I decide
to change my career from IT to graphic design.

Could you tell us how design become

3 part of your life?The most direct feeling is to buy any product will look at the packaging first
compare to the ingredient. Always looking for good design and references
to enhance my own design skill and aesthetics all the time.

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NOTCOT / INTERVIEW : Lim Zhe Yan DEC 2021

Among many categories of

4 design. Which one you like to
do the most?

Logo design and packaging design is my first select.
Because now a days logo is very important to a
company, it is represented their company to the client
and packaging is also a part attract client to buy use
or buy your product or services. That’s why I doing
alot of research on logo design and packaging design.

Could you let us know how

5 you think about Branding?Branding is the process of communicating a unique
selling proposition, or differential, that sets a product
or service apart from the competition. Examples of
branding techniques include the use of logos, taglines,
jingles or mascots.

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NOTCOT / INTERVIEW : Michelle Yap DEC 2021

Artist : Michelle Yap

Michelle Yap is a Malaysian abstract artist from Kuala Lumpur, who graduated

1 from the University of Arts, London (Central St. Martins, College of Arts). She
was born in 1975, raised, and now, currently living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
She is best known for her modern, minimalistic abstract pieces characterized
by heavy brush strokes hinted of oriental Chinese calligraphy. Her artworks are
inspirational and motivational values depicted through her art from daily life.

2 Best Commissioned artwork
ever done was…?

For the King of Malaysia (at the time of presentation).
The best commissioned artworks I’ve ever done,
titled ‘A Blessed Nation’ was for 3 federal ministers
of Malaysia and the Sultan of Pahang (Royalty of
Malaysia) in early 2020.

How have you developed your
career?

3 It began with a passion for fine arts, where I completed
my university studies in Central St. Martin’s, London.
My career 2 design firms and releasing an online
creative marketplace over the course of 20 years.
Throughout the process, I reignited my passion and
began painting where my presence in the local artistic
community grew through online galleries into the
international community which had allowed me to
gain more exposure through multiple exhibitions
across the globe.

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NOTCOT / INTERVIEW : MIchelle Yap DEC 2021

4 Where do you get your
inspiration?
I’m inspired by change. The world is
moving towards robotics and AI. Those
who fail to follow will fall behind.

What’s the best piece of
advice you’ve been given?

5 You need to let go of everything you have learn
before you can find yourself.
Art is an expression, not a skill you learn. It is a
collection of thoughts and events that happen in
life, which moulds your style and work. It cannot be
judge by the eyes only but rather, to simultaneously
be felt by your senses.

What does your work aim to
say?

6 This series for the Shanghai International Art Fair
2020; My work aims to motivate and bring about
change in the viewers’ minds. Portraying the tradi-
tional terracotta warrior coming back to life after
thousands of years and experiencing the new Era
for the first time. He is not familiar with most of the
new gadgets or methods. So, he equips himself with
knowledge of traditional ways to solve his issues. It is
a funny depiction of the new China.

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NOTCOT / ARTICLE DEC 2021

Uniquely J from JET.com In an effort to capture the heart and
minds of young, urban-dwelling
millennials, Jet.com launched
their own private label brand of
grocery and household items called
Uniquely J. But this isn’t your
ordinary line of generic, branded
goods.
Working with brand design
consultants Elmwood for the
execution and creative direction
of the Uniquely J launch, they’ve
created an identity for the disruptive
e-commerce scene-stealers.

According to Elmwood’s press release, “its illustration style creates a “The name, Uniquely J, sets up the unique brand experience the
uniquely playful experience that definitively breaks with the traditional consumer will receive from Jet.com’s store brand. The private label
codes of the value-driven private label industry, delivering shareable brand includes household and grocery products with a focus on quality
moments both online and offline with illustrations and packaging that ingredients. Its illustration style creates a uniquely playful experience
tell a story.” that definitively breaks with the traditional codes of the value-driven
“With help from Elmwood, Jet.com launched its own private label private label industry, delivering shareable moments both online and
range, Uniquely J, with the aim to disrupt the e-commerce experience offline with illustrations and packaging that tell a story.
by injecting more fun into shopping for groceries online. Elmwood’s
strategic response was grounded in a detailed understanding of the
urban millennial audience and the radically shifting dynamics of
e-commerce and retail.

This deep immersion provided the foundation for Uniquely J online
and offline, both across the physical pack and the online shopping
experience. By placing emphasis on delivering an emotional experience
and shareable moments, the Uniquely J brand is set to drive a reappraisal
of the entire private label sector.”

“‘Urban millennials expect brands to deliver emotional connections as
well as functional benefits’, says Camilla Crane, Director of Strategy,
Elmwood. ‘They consistently seek out moments that surprise and
delight. The opportunity here is to reimagine private label, making it an
innovative brand in its own right—one that delivers moments of ‘wow,’
excitement, and that all-important consumer smile.’”

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NOTCOT / ARTICLE DEC 2021

Uniquely J from JET.com

The abstract illustrations leave a unpredictable retail landscape and
unique impression across every learn to flex seamlessly between
brand touchpoint and go beyond a digital and physical channels, while
simple mark or symbol. The large offering consumers something
illustrations amplify the premium unique, will win. That is what we
qualities of the range, while a small have delivered for Uniquely J.’”
Jet.com logo serves as mark of
quality provenance. Engaging use
of copy on pack communicates the
brand’s offbeat and lively nature.

Ben Greengrass, Creative Director,
Elmwood, says: ‘The element of
fun in the packaging is dialed up or
down depending on the product.
For example, the illustrations for
storage bags are defiantly offbeat,
whereas coffees feature edgy, yet
beautiful illustrations of tigers,
skulls and even a gramophone,
which imbue the product with
trust. Design is also gender neutral.’

Crane adds: ‘Digital shopping has
become the norm among urban
millennials, but there is a clear
role for both online and in-store
shopping in the near future. The
consumer brands that embrace this

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NOTCOT / TUTORIAL DEC 2021

Tutorial
Cover Design

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NOTCOT / TUTORIAL DEC 2021

First thing first, create a A4 size Next, select the font that you want. In

1 artboard and choose the color you 2 my design i select Josefin Sans with
want. Recommend some retro or bold, it more match to my design.
space color.

After you choose the font that After that, the font is confirmed

3 you want, you can start doing the 4 we can process to the next step.
layoutfor your design. For my font Our background is using liquid to
design I seperated all the alphabet enhance the layer of the cover. To
and create outline, the color that I create a liquid shape is very simple,
choose wheat. create 4 circles.

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NOTCOT / TUTORIAL DEC 2021

Next step is to link all the circle After linked all the circle. Select all

5together, use pen tool to draw a 6 the object and press panthfinder
shape to link all the circles. > unite. The initial type of liquid is
done.

But as you all can see the sharp point One liquid is not enough to

7 is not rounded. After round all the 8 enrichment and colorful, create more
corner it will become a smooth liquid to enhance the background
liquid. color.

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NOTCOT / TUTORIAL DEC 2021

To enhance the layer of liquid, I After all the shape and font are done,

9 copy a same liquid to paste it down 10 you arrange the layout
below the first liquid shape to create
a shadow. To create a shadow just
select the object > effect > Blur >
Gaussian Blur set to 35 pixels.

As you can see the bottom layer is Final step is to add some information

11 still in white color, it not really mtach 12 for your cover, a logo and some
which the color that I choose for the introduce what information that
shape and font, so we need to addon your magazine have. Done!
a background color to match with
the shape and font color.

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NOTCOT /BOOK REVIEW DEC 2021

Shiro Kuramata,

the Exceptional Designer of Furniture and
Interiors

Shiro Kuramata, the Exceptional Designer only be glimpsed in photographs or described and architecture, tells the story of Kuramata’s
of Furniture and Interiors – Shiro Kuramata by those who saw them. This combination of life against the backdrop of Japan’s turbulent
(1934–91) was a truly exceptional designer the precious and the disappeared is appropriate history from the 1930s to the 1990s. It
of furniture and interiors. Many of his poetic, for a designer like Kuramata, whose work was was a period in which the collapse of the
precise and unique pieces, like the expanded- neither modern nor nostalgic, neither western repressive conformism of Japan’s traditionally
metal-mesh How High the Moon Armchair nor Asian, but which has a remarkable creative authoritarian social order released a creative
and the acrylic, aluminium and paper-flower power as well as a sense of endless invention. explosion that propelled Japan into the creative
Miss Blanche Chair, are still highly prized, This compelling and highly influen tial work is forefront in cinema, literature, fashion,
collected by museums like MoMA and the documented here in this beautiful monograph. architecture and design, and Kuramata’s work
V&A and sold at auction. Author Deyan Sudjic, the director of the occupies a special place in this period.
Sadly, however, most of the hundreds of design museum in London and the author
interiors he designed no longer exist, and can of many highly-acclaimed books on design

Shiro Kuramata,

the Exceptional Designer of Furniture and
Interiors

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NOTCOT / BOOK REVIEW DEC 2021

Designed by Jonathan Hares, and presented in two volumes critic for the Observer, he has written and contributed to
with a beautiful acrylic slipcase, the book includes all many books, including The Language of Things (2008) and
of Kuramata’s work, depicted in never-before-published The Edifice Complex: The architecture of power (2005), as
photographs and drawings from the Kuramata archives. well as Living in the Endless City (2011), The Endless City
Many projects are represented with images of the design and (2008) Future Systems (2006), John Pawson Themes and
manufacturing process, appropriate for this very technically Projects (2002), John Pawson Works (2000), all published
inventive work that continues to be of interest to a wide by Phaidon.
range of designers. Shiro Kuramata is a major figure who
richly deserves the wider audience he is just beginning to
attract, and this first-ever monograph will be of a quality
and beauty to match the work he produced.

Deyan Sudjic is Director of the Design Museum, London
and a former Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design and
Architecture at Kingston University. He was previously editor
of Blueprint and Domus magazines, and Director of the
Venice Architecture Biennale (2002). Former architecture

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NOTCOT / WEBSITE DEC 2021

Website Review
Balai Seni Lukis Sabah
Sabah Art Gallery

Background

Although the Sabah Art Gallery was founded in 1984, she has not had a
permanent home until recently. For more than two decades the gallery
has had to share facilities with the State Museum and hold exhibitions
at a variety of venues in and around Kota Kinabalu. This year Sabah Art
Gallery finally has a home.
Located on Mile 2, Jalan Penampang, Kota Kinabalu on a 1.7-hectare
land, the building which is known as the Sabah Art Gallery Conservation
Centre (Pusat Konservasi Balai Seni Lukis Sabah) has been the dream of
the ex-director, the late Datuk Mohd. Yaman Hj. Ahmad Mus, who was
also the founder of the Sabah Art Gallery. The dream was finally realized
with the construction of the building which started in July 2010 was
completed in Aug 2012.

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NOTCOT / WEBSITE DEC 2021

Design

The octagonal building plan was inspired by
Datuk Yaman’s deep interest in geometric
shapes in general as evident in many of his
artworks. The geometry also makes for a more
user-friendly centralized circulation pattern
as requested by Datuk Yaman himself. Even
more striking than the building’s plan is its
form with the walls that taper outward from
the base at an angle of 30 degrees giving the
Gallery a most distinctive appearance.

The construction of this building is one of the most exciting and unique Sabahan traditional motifs are seen throughout the Gallery, in
challenge for the builders. The Gallery’s structure and walls are made particular the subtle floor patterns at the entrance area and four
entirely of reinforced concrete. Of the buildings four levels, the first two decorative panels on the external wall which encompass the common
are reserved for the Gallery’s main occupation which is conservation motifs used by many ethnic groups such as the Murut, Irranun, Bajau,
and preservation of the State’s asset – the art collection. The upper levels Lotud and Rungus.
(level 3 and 4) are reserved for exhibition space, office and library. Entry
is at the second level and the main vertical circulation is via lift and
central staircase. The light coming from the skylight above the central
staircase is one of the most attractive features of the interior space.

Background

It should be noted that the prominence to the role of art in
Sabah Art Gallery Conservation Sabah as well as being a talking
Building was awarded Silver point and an attraction for art
classification from the Green lovers and tourists alike for years
Building Index Assessment Panel to come.
in 2012. It is the first officially
recognized Green building in
Sabah and the first Green public
gallery in Malaysia, complete
with solar panels, passive design,
rainwater harvesting system and
movement sensor lights.

This unique and special building
will hopefully give more

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NOTCOT / EVENT LISTING DEC 2021

ART
Event in Kuala Lumpur

NOTCOT / EVENT LISTING DEC 2021

State of art :
6 events to check out in KL this 2021.

12-29
February

Address : A+ Works of Art, D6-
G8, D6 Trade Centre, 801, Jalan
Sentul, 51000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact : +6018-333 3399

Azizan Paiman: Aku Ini Binatang Jalang

Education is a vital component for change in Malaysia, and artist
Azizan Paiman wants you to know that. In his latest exhibition, “Aku
Binatang Jalang” explores the effects of power abuse between the
teacher-student relationship. His series of photographs showcase
himself taking on the role of the educator in a class full of students.

1-9
February

Address : Suma Orientalis, 11,
Lorong 11/4F Seksyen 11 Petaling
Jaya, Malaysia

Contact : +603-79557111

Tikitiboo

What is Tikitiboo? It’s a platform to present new and fresh narratives
of emerging local artists from a diverse demographic and cultural
backgrounds. The word itself is derived from the native language
during the British occupation of India meaning “everything is
fine and alright”. Among the artists that are part of this exhibition
include: Putra Nazri, Izzat Hamdan, Syazwan Rahim, Nana Safiana,
Jane Stephanny, Ong Cai Bin, Fong Jia Lok, Bonnie Cheong, Poppy
Hew and Elika Towhidkhah.

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NOTCOT / EVENT LISTING DEC 2021

State of art :
6 events to check out in KL this 2020.

1 - 22
February

Address : The Back Room KL, 1st Chong Yan Chuah: 27 Years of Lazarian Delights
Floor, Zhongshan Building, 80A
Jalan Rotan, Off Jalan Kampung Go on a journey into an obsessive mind with “27 Year of Lazarian
Attap, Kuala Lumpur Delights” by Chong Yan Chuah. Think acid lakes, fiery planes,
Contact : +6016-6602585 suicide ceremonies, and more – all condensed into mystical art
pieces in The Back Room KL.

27-21
February - March

Address : Taksu Kuala Lumpur,
17 Jalan Pawang, Datuk Keramat,
54000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact : +603-42514396

Fauzulyusri: TONA

Nature is beautiful with all its wonders of leaves, flowers, animals,
the water and land, clouds and rain, the environment and weather.
Translating these onto canvas is Fauzulyusri’s latest exhibition,
using nature’s hues as his muse.

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