TY • SRY • LUV U

Understanding the significance of universal words of expression and its place in Singaporean culture

Through a mural installation, documentary film and publication editorial design, this project examines the meanings and impacts of the universally known phrases: “Thank you”, “I’m sorry, please forgive me” and “I love you”. It investigates the underlying values of how these phrases are being expressed in family units, by engaging young local adults in an open conversation. Ultimately, the project aims to inspire more meaningful and positive communication at home, by probing the audience to reconsider the deeper tenors of these words as dealt in day-to-day conversations with their kin.

Research Issue

What is the underlying value behind how these three phases are expressed in family units by Singaporean young adults?

Design Challenge

How may we encourage young adults to reconsider the actual meanings and impacts of these three phrases, while recognising the needs to speak these phrases more authentically in our daily conversations and to propel them to be more intentional in expression at home?

Methodology

01 | Survey of 100 young adults

02 | Qualitative series of interviews, formulated in the form of a documentary film

03 | Public participatory typographic installation

04 | Editorial publication

01 | Survey

A survey was conducted among 100 Singaporean respondents, of both genders, aged between 20 to 29 years old. The objective of the survey was, firstly, to uncover this target group’s perceptions and interpretations of the three phrases: “Thank you”, “I’m sorry, please forgive me” and “I love you”. Secondly, the survey sought to find out the quantitative data behind verbally expressing these phrases at home, since the level of frequency of expressing the phrases contain value suggests the position of these phrases in the communication culture of each family unit – whether the phrases were commonly expressed or not.

Survey Results and Statistics

02 | Documentary Film

A series of 4 interviews was conducted among young adults of various ages between 20 to 29 years

and from all 4 races in Singapore: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian.

The beauty of using documentary films lies in its ability to capture stories, information and data more vividly - there are emotive, expressive and authentic responses evoked by the interviewees which cannot be found in a written survey. These forms of responses are equally important in providing a clearer phenomenal picture of how young adults viewed the expression of these three phrases, all in the context of their homes.

Voices on “TY • SRY • LUV U”:

The unspoken thoughts on 3 universally spoken phrases

03 | Public Participatory Typographic Installation

The participatory installation invites viewers to engage in an open conversation about their interpretations of the meanings and values behind these three phrases in the context of the home. Participants could choose to reflect upon their response to a simple question directed towards

each of the three phrases, and to respond by writing their thoughts on acrylic circles. These acrylics could then be hung on nylon

strings within the installation space.

Over the course of the exhibition, the installation served as a physical space to encourage, collect and showcase individuals' unique perspectives and interpretations to these 3 phrases, while provoking further thought and discussion on the importance and impacts of expressing these 3 phrases at home. The acrylic thought bubbles were displayed against a typographic mural showcasing the three phrases - the protagonists of the project.

Recognising that conversations about these phrases and its impacts are not common in the cultural landscape of Singapore, the typographic mural sought to highlight and amplify these terms of expressions, metaphorically through the play of visual, scale and colour.

All in all, the installation space sought to engage the visceral senses of the viewer, along with the mental, emotional, physical and cultural.

Messages written by the public

Screening of the documentary film within the booth

04 | Editorial Publication

A summary overview of the project, research findings, the survey results and process thoughts were organised and encapsulated in an editorial publication. This publication serves to inform viewers the essence of the project, and various information collected

through the various research methodologies.