WHO
Founded in 2014 by Joanne Chew and based in Kuala Lumpur, Fictionist Studio is a multi-disciplinary creative outfit, specializing in all platforms that involve the birth of an idea.
WHAT
Since 2014, we have been crafting stories for brands, designing books, identities, websites and exhibitions, making cultural observations and writing about them as well as partaking in artistically driven endeavors. In mid-2017, we started F—SERIES, an experimental platform that allows us to have a voice about certain matters and to champion the idea of designer as author.
WHEN
2014 – present
WHERE
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
WHY
I voted for the first time during the 2013 Malaysian elections. The very act of exercising my democratic right somehow triggered me to move back to Malaysia (I have been working in other countries before then) and I thought to myself that perhaps it was time to contribute back to my own country, even if it’s just a beautifully business card. 5 years on, we’ve designed more than just business cards and I hope that in a way, be it small or big, we’ve woven ourselves into the ever-growing creative fabric in Malaysia.
Photo Courtesy of Fictionist Studio
Photo Courtesy of Fictionist Studio
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CREATIVITY?
A heightened sense of fluency. The ability to articulate without hesitation, in whichever format, be it words, visuals or any form of expression.
DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS.
Multi-faceted. Narrative-driven. Ever-evolving.
Photo Courtesy of Fictionist Studio
WHERE DO YOU GO, OR WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK ON A PROJECT?
I usually try to hash it out with my team members via countless conversations.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Our experimental arm of the studio called F—SERIES. Underscoring our core philosophy of telling stories whether it’s for a brand or an art installation, F—SERIES is a keen extension of that pursuit, materialized in a series of self-initiated projects, which is launched annually. Our manifesto: 1. Continuing to experiment and induce play within our work will make us more stimulated individuals and this, in turn, will enhance the artistic quality of our work. 2. Engaging with our peers or potential collaborators will also inspire us to create new ways of working and expand our creative milieu. 3. Demonstrating that graphic designers can be engaging content creators and have a platform to voice our thoughts, observations, and inclinations. So far, we’ve had to 2 installments, F—SERIES #1: Radical Claws (2017) which resulted in an exhibition and various merchandise and F—SERIES #2: Three-legged Pair, 三只袜子 一双脚 (2018) which encompassed a music video, a published song and a series of three-legged socks.
More information on fseries.fictionistudio.com
Photo Courtesy of Fictionist Studio
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY CREATIVE OUT FOR COFFEE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
I’m going to be greedy and mention 2 people who are unfortunately not alive anymore: Francis Bacon and Yasmin Ahmad. Francis Bacon is my all-time favorite artist — every time I’m lucky enough to see his art in person, I am always completely bowled over by his grotesquely twisted abstractions… his art is so raw it liberates something in me. Yasmin Ahmad, because she also moves me deeply; in her films and her words and the way she treats people and her country, but ultimately I’m inspired most by her sense of humility. I’d like to quote a paragraph from her second book (which we designed), “This book is not about Yasmin. This book is about you and about inspiring you. Because whenever we asked Yasmin how she’d like to be remembered after she dies, she’d say that she would like to be remembered for her work. And if people forget who did the work, then it’s even better. For half a year before she left us physically, Yasmin would practice 無 (mindfulness) — five times a day, she stands, bows and prostrates, becoming smaller and smaller at each point. Reminding herself that she should be nothing. And God, everything.”