About the Designer
In this final quarter of 2024, we have with us Mr Wong Wui Kong to share some thoughts and insights on his stamp designing journey.
How did you get started in stamp designing, and how long have you been in the field?
It all began with an email to SingPost. Following a reply from the Philatelic Bureau, I submitted my design portfolio for a review. A few weeks later, and the rest as they say, is history. That was how I started in stamp designing, almost two and a half decades ago.
Can you describe the types of stamps you typically design, such as commemorative, definitive, or special editions?
My work includes the various stamp categories you’ve highlighted. There are no particular type of stamps I chose to focus on. I strive to add some degree of uniqueness into every project so that each would carry its own distinctive style and appeal. This is the design ethos which I’ve imbibed.
Are there any specific themes or subjects you particularly enjoy designing for stamps?
Well, not really. I am keen to try out different stamp themes, whenever possible. That way, I could put my own skills and capabilities to the test, especially how a subject is being interpreted, and translated into a postage stamp design.
Could you share a brief overview of your most recent or favorite stamp design project?
One of my past projects is the “75th Anniversary of the United Nations” stamp issue. I considered it as an honour and an invaluable opportunity to represent and showcase our country to the international organisation, which was celebrating its anniversary in 2020. What the design seeks to convey is that despite us being a tiny little red dot, Singapore could punch above its weight and do good for the global community.
Do you have any specific sources of inspiration or artists who have influenced your stamp design style?
I have always been inspired by the work of our veteran stamp designers from the earlier decades. As a designer myself, I think we must keep an open mind and learn from the triumphs and setbacks of those who came before; be they artists, painters, musicians, or even hawkers. For me, inspirations come from every single day, or even from the most mundane.
What aspects of stamp designing do you find most fulfilling or rewarding in your work?
I suppose one of the most rewarding aspects is the whole creation process. Let's say at the beginning you may go through the trials of exploration and experimentation, and then comes the eureka moment, when you realised all the hard work you had put in are finally reaping results. To me, these emotional triggers can be fulfilling and satisfying.
Have you encountered any interesting or unusual requests or challenges in your stamp designing career?
Yes, quite a few. Among them was a collaborative effort with former TV artiste, Mr Edmund Chen Zhi Cai. I had the honour and privilege of working closely with Edmund and the SingPost team on his maiden stamp issue - 2011's "Endangered Animal - Oriental Small-Clawed Otter". That propelled us to work together for a second time on the "Giant Pandas" stamps a year later. The other unforgettable experience should be the “SPF200” commemorative stamp series in 2020, which was completed and launched on the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
