Hello there, I am Somewan or

Tengwan Quek

About Somewan

Somewan is a freelance illustrator with focus in tech, climate change and exploring places . 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

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

Any ideas to collaborate?

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Experiences

Independent Freelance Illustrator • Self-employed

2018 – Present

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

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

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

TEDx 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