Hello there, I am Somewan or

Tengwan Quek

About Me

About Somewan

Somewan is a freelance illustrator with focus in tech, climate change and exploring cultures. With more than 15 years of experience in the design industry, she is passionate in finding effective ways to connect ideas, imagination and emotions on a canvas. On the side, she loves everything cats, maps, architecture, trees, mountains and fascinated by all kind of miniature models.

Clients

Facebook
Lenovo
Elastic.co
Grab

Temasek Trust • Government Technology, Singapore • Expo 2020 Dubai • Creative Debut • Fine Acts • TEDcountdown • Cogenerate • Nanyang Technological University • TiFiPay • The Unusual Network • Kult Studio & Gallery

Any ideas to collaborate? Let's do this.

Say hello!

Experiences

Independent Freelance Illustrator/Designer • Self-employed
2018 – Present

Transited to focus on illustration in 2020. Open to illustration projects ranging from tech, commercial, editorial, merchandise, events and more.

Design Lead • Gomu.co
2022 – 2023

Design for better Web3 experience at Gomu. Ranging from product design to brand design.

Senior Product Designer • Zendesk
2012 – 2018

Worked closely with product managers, engineers, UX researcher and the global creative team to grow design through iterations, ideation and user validation.

Illustrator/Art Director (Freelance)
2009 – 2015

Notably, illustrated, researched and compiled a bilingual book on preserving "Vanishing Crafts" and "Vanishing Materials", led by Dr. Jesvin Yeo.

View more on LinkedIn

Recognitions

The Northern Illustration Prize, 2023

Shortlisted, Emerging Illustrator Category, The big blue engine

3x3 mag Professional Show No.19, 2022

Merit and Honorable Mention, Emotional Baggage/Being Outside

Communication Arts 2022

Shortlist, Illustration

Artists for climate 2021

Selected Artists, Open license illustration

Crowbar Award 2013

Bronze. Editorial Publication, ADM Show 2012

Finalist. Below the line collaterals

Crowbar Award 2012

Finalist. Editorial Publication, Rebirth

Under Dr. Jesvin Yeo's project

Assisted in research and illustrated for Vanishing Crafts and Vanishing Materials.


  • German Design Award 2018 • Nominee • Excellent Communications Design • Vanishing Crafts
  • A' Design International Awards 2016-2017 • Silver Award • Writing, Literature and Content Design • Vanishing Crafts
  • K-Design Award 2017 • Silver Award • Communication Design • Vanishing Crafts
  • Red Dot Award 2016: Communication Design • Red Dot Winner • Publication • Vanishing Materials
  • iF Design Award 2016 • Award Winner • Publishing • Vanishing Crafts
  • Good Design Awards 2015 • Winner • Graphics • Vanishing Crafts
  • The Spark 9th Annual International Awards • Bronze Award • Graphic Design • Vanishing Crafts
    • Featured

    Procreate.art – Featured illustration

    Procreate Instagram – Featured illustration

    Expo 2020 Dubai – Closing declaration illustration

    The AOI – Excellent Editorial Illustration Part 2

    Inprnt – Curated Picks

    JaamZIN Creative – Featured artist

    Designers of Colour – Listed

    ElloHype – New illustrator

    Minty – Featured illustration

    Publications

    Illustrator for Jesvin Yeo's book – Forgotten Heritage, Uncovering Singapore's Traditional Chinese Puppets

    Illustrator for Jesvin Yeo's book – Vanishing Crafts and Vanishing Materials


    Jesvin Yeo & Quek Tengwan. (2012). Creative process: A comparative study between concentration. and distraction. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 1(6), 280-287.


    Jesvin Yeo & Quek Tengwan. (2012). A comparative study between concentration and distraction. Proceedings of the Asian Conference on Media and Mass Communication 2012, Osaka, Japan, pp. 380 - 388



    Exhibitions

    Illustration Arts Festival 2023 – Pop-up booth

    Pameran Poskad Dec 2022 – Singapore landmarks

    Mythology RElooked Aug 2022 – Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

    Art Attack Illustration Exhibition Apr 2022 – Creative Debut x Adidas London

    TED Countdown, Artists for Climate Oct 2021 – UN Climate Change Conference

    Giffestsg – Gif Exhibition 2018, 2020

    Education

    Bachelor of Fine Arts, Visual Communication

    Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

    Diploma in Industrial Design

    Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore