Steph (33) & Pivoting Prowess
This is the final article of its series initiated by Don’t Mind if’s collaboration with Stella from Our Tender Deeds to document and archive creative journeys of those who labour within Singapore’s Communication Design industry and community. Each interviewee answers 10 questions and documents part of their lives with a film camera.
Words from Stella
We met Steph, freelance arts & culture writer and creative producer, for some boat noodles all the way back in August. Having read her self-published volume, Self-Made; written over 2 years and multiple trips across the region, we were ecstatic to learn about her interest in releasing another project of a similar make, about her love for hawkers and the culinary sphere. Here’s how this aspiring Rockstar Graphic Designer pivoted to writing, producing and being a mom to the bestest boy.
Steph’s work space
“I am a writer and creative producer. As a writer, I take on a mix of art, culture and design editorials, as well as branding and publication work. For producing, it can range from design projects to programming spaces and short films. It may seem like I wear many hats but the things that I do actually inform one another.”
Pink Chilli in a Bowl (2023)
Main contributing writer | Commissioned by Isabelle Der Hagopian and Manuel Der Hagopian
“The fact that I’m a generalist or jack of some trades and master of none isn’t something I consciously set out to do. I think the work that I do is a result of my going with the flow, being open to new things and making the most out of the opportunities I’ve been given.”
Homemade Yogurt
“For leisure, I try to take at least a day off a week to spend time alone at home and doing whatever my heart desires such as reading, playing with my dog, watching variety shows or doing household chores (laundry is therapeutic!). Inspired by a trip to Seoul where my friends and I had life-changing yoghurt, I also started making yoghurt at home - friends who have tried it love it. I don’t enjoy going out so much unless it’s to work out or hang out with friends.”
“(On the process of putting Self-Made together) I’ve always been fascinated by Southeast Asia and wanted to get to know our backyard better. What better way than to see it through the eyes of creatives—in the context of their work?”
“From late 2018 – early 2020, I began taking short bi-monthly trips to interview the subjects face to face. Apart from reaching out to people who I got to know through my work, I also contacted people via cold-emailing/ calling. After each interview, I would begin the process of transcribing and turning them into prose. However, the bulk of writing, editing and putting it all together happened from May to July 2020—at the height of the covid-19 lockdown.”
Publication: Emerge 2023
Editorial commissioned by Design Anthology
“I studied Visual Communications at Temasek Design School. To be honest, I don’t remember that much of what I learnt. That’s my fault because I often skipped classes and did the bare minimum to pass. But I think the invaluable “education” I got was the social experience of being among self-driven and passionate peers (we still keep in contact and cheer each other on today). That made me try ten times harder.”
“I think empathy is the most important trait in what I do—be it writing or producing.”
“I had always thought of writing as a hobby and never entertained the idea of making a career out of it. In fact, I wanted to become a rockstar graphic designer but that unfortunately didn’t come naturally to me. In my first job at a creative agency, I started out as a graphic designer but transitioned to a more producing/ managing type of role. My colleagues were so much more talented! I also began editing and writing for the firm’s indie magazines. In hindsight, these were gaps in the office that I had to fill because I couldn’t do the thing that I set out to do. I struggled trying to fill these new roles while managing an identity crisis.”
“But I’ve come to realise that the sooner you acknowledge your weaknesses, the sooner you find your strengths. It’s okay to give up sometimes. That’s the only way you can open yourself up to new things that suit you better.”
STB Hidden Places (2021) | Producer
“I also think it’s important to form a good support system of friends/ family who would never judge you for “failing” in life and be there to cheer you on as you try and get up again.”
Steph tells us fondly of her father’s two loves (Teochew Muay and Steamed Fish) - he runs White House Teochew Porridge on Serangoon Road
“I don’t place any expectations on my creative pursuits to feed me. Neither do I expect my job to fulfil my creative needs (if it does, it’s a bonus!). I think this takes the pressure off and helps me approach bread and butter or creative work with an open mind.”
His signature dish, the Braised Duck Steph grew up eating.
“My path has always been about making money first (creative pursuits later) and that has been driven by survival. Only after achieving a certain level of financial stability did I gain the confidence to produce Self-made. I think Self-made turned out the way it did because I didn’t place any expectations on it to generate income. I’m not saying that this is the right path for everybody, it differs for the individual. I’ve always admired people who have turned their creative pursuits into stable income. I hope to be able to do that someday!”
“My writing process is more like a grind and less inspiring. The first step is usually research and conducting the necessary interviews. Once you have all the content you need, it’s about sifting out the interesting points and arranging the information in a cohesive or interesting manner. From there begins the seemingly endless process of editing and re-editing for as long as the timeline (or my stamina) allows. I find it helpful to have bouts of 1-2 hour ‘writing jams’ rather than stare at something for an entire day.”
“(On which project she is particularly proud of) The next one.”
“A word for my past self: Don’t try to be perfect. Be human. It’s okay to fail as long as you try again. Cry as much as you laugh.”
“My favourite quote right now is from Susan Cain’s Bittersweet. “What once was will never be again.”
“The last book that I last resonated with was Novelist as a Profession by Haruki Murakami. I think it is relevant for most creatives. Not just novelists.”
“(On what she is looking forward to) Tomorrow!”
“Creativity to me is: The ability to find the easiest way to do something difficult well.”