Fio Zhang, Graphic Design/ Art History, 2025
Fio Zhang (b.1999) was born in China, and raised in Singapore. They are currently a graphic designer, journalist, and translator at Singapore Press Holding. Fio is a visual artist who uses multi media like > graphics, collage, sound, and printmaking to create artworks that speaks about social issues, politics, identity, and sexuality. They love to use vibrant colors and naive elements to talk about serious real-life issues from their perspective. As a journalist, their research concentrates on the cultural distinctions between Eastern and Western societies, particularly within the socio-cultural context of China and South East Asia.
Skill Building
A series of technical exercises build and demonstrate skills in Rhino, laser cutting, 3D printing, and CNC routing.
Project I: To-go-box
A contemporary Singapore logo pattern laser-etched onto a to-go box offers a unique commentary on consumerism and cultural identity. By incorporating iconic symbols of Singapore—such as the Merlion, HDB flats, or elements from traditional Peranakan tiles—the design reflects a blend of historical and modern influences, encapsulating the nation’s multicultural essence. The laser-etched technique, often associated with precision and industrial aesthetics, juxtaposes the intricate patterns with the disposability of a to-go box, symbolizing the tension between fleeting consumer habits and enduring cultural values.
This approach ties into Singapore’s identity as a globalized city-state, where the rapid pace of urban life often challenges efforts to preserve heritage. The to-go box, a staple of convenience-driven modernity, becomes a canvas to explore how cultural motifs can persist amidst commercial impermanence. The tactile quality of laser etching elevates the mundane packaging, transforming it into a reflection of Singapore’s evolving cultural landscape. This design not only engages consumers visually but also invites them to reflect on the intersections of tradition, sustainability, and consumer culture. In doing so, it bridges art, design, and social critique, showcasing how everyday objects can serve as meaningful expressions of national identity.
Process
Replace all of the text in this box with The laser-cutting process for the to-go box and its intricate pattern begins with digital design creation. Using vector-based software like Adobe Illustrator, the design is developed to reflect Singapore’s cultural identity, incorporating motifs such as Peranakan-inspired patterns or iconic local symbols. The patterns are scaled to fit the box’s dimensions while maintaining visual balance.
Next, the material is selected—typically cardboard that is laser-compatible. A test sample is cut to confirm the material’s suitability, ensuring it can handle the laser without burning or warping. The digital design is then uploaded to the laser cutter’s software, where precise settings for speed, power, and focus are configured based on the material’s thickness and the pattern’s complexity.
Before proceeding, a small test cut is performed to verify alignment and detail accuracy. Once calibrated, the to-go box is secured in the laser cutter’s bed, and the pattern is carefully etched and cut. Fine patterns require lower power and slower speeds to preserve detail and avoid overcutting.
After cutting, the box is removed and inspected for clean edges. Any residue is gently wiped away, and the finished piece is ready. The laser-etched design transforms the everyday packaging into a meaningful expression of Singapore’s cultural identity.
In the gallery below, add images that document the process (digital and physical) of making the work.
Lastly, add the digital files related to this assignment.
Project II: Kopi shop Table & Chair
The 3D printing of the kopitiam table and chair offers a modern reinterpretation of Singapore’s iconic coffee shop culture. These furniture pieces, long associated with communal gatherings and everyday life, are brought to life using digital design and additive manufacturing. By precisely recreating the classic round marble tabletop and curved metal chairs, 3D printing allows for innovative material choices and design flexibility, while retaining the objects’ traditional forms.
One key feature of the project is the integration of cultural motifs. Patterns inspired by Singapore’s heritage, such as Peranakan tiles, geometric HDB designs, or traditional batik prints, can be embossed, engraved, or incorporated into the table and chair surfaces. These patterns create a tangible connection to the nation’s multicultural identity, transforming the furniture into a canvas for storytelling.
This approach preserves the cultural significance of Kopitiam furniture and reimagines it for contemporary settings. The process emphasizes the adaptability of heritage in modern design, using cutting-edge technology to maintain cultural relevance. Whether displayed as functional furniture or art installations, the 3D-printed kopitiam table and chair symbolize the fusion of tradition and innovation, reflecting Singapore’s evolving identity in a rapidly globalized world.
Process
The process of 3D printing a kopitiam table and chair using Rhino combines traditional design elements with advanced digital fabrication techniques. It begins with conceptualizing the iconic features of kopitiam furniture, including the round tabletop, curved metal chair legs, and minimalist form. Customization options, such as incorporating Peranakan or HDB-inspired patterns, are planned to enhance cultural significance.
Using Rhino’s precision tools, a digital model of the table and chair is created. The tabletop is modeled as a circular surface with added thickness to resemble marble, while the chair is constructed using curves and sweep commands to replicate its signature shape. Patterns are applied to surfaces through Rhino’s flow along surface or paneling tools, allowing embossed or engraved designs. The model is carefully scaled and prepared for 3D printing by exporting it as an STL or OBJ file. Rhino’s Mesh Repair tool ensures the design is watertight and error-free.
The model is printed in parts using materials such as PLA. After printing, components are sanded, painted, or coated for finishing and assembled into the final product. This process transforms the kopitiam table and chair into a modern piece of functional art that preserves and celebrates Singapore’s cultural identity.
Project III: CNC Peranakan tiles
Tiger Balm pattern tiles are a reinterpretation of Singapore’s cultural identity, blending traditional heritage with modern design. Inspired by the iconic Tiger Balm brand—a symbol of local ingenuity and global recognition—the tiles feature bold, geometric motifs and nature-inspired elements reminiscent of its packaging. These designs pay homage to Singapore’s history of trade, multiculturalism, and entrepreneurial spirit.
By incorporating patterns like Peranakan-style florals or HDB block aesthetics, the tiles create a visual narrative that connects past and present. Used in modern interiors or installations, these tiles become functional art pieces that celebrate Singapore’s evolving identity while preserving its rich cultural roots. They bridge tradition and contemporary aesthetics, offering a meaningful reflection of the nation’s spirit.
Process
The process of CNC machining a Tiger Balm tile design onto a form involves several key steps, from design creation to final fabrication. First, the design is created using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, such as Rhino. The Tiger Balm-inspired patterns—often incorporating geometric motifs, nature elements, or references to the iconic brand—are carefully crafted, ensuring they fit the dimensions of the tile form and can be etched or engraved at the desired depth.
Next, the form material is selected, which could be ceramic, wood, or another suitable substrate. The tile base is prepared by cutting or shaping it to the required size. In the subsequent step, the design is converted into machine-readable instructions using CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software. This software generates a toolpath that guides the CNC machine in cutting and engraving the design.
The prepared form is then securely mounted on the CNC machine bed. The CNC machine uses a rotating tool (router or spindle) to precisely carve the design into the material according to the toolpath instructions. After machining, the tile is inspected for any imperfections, and any rough edges are smoothed or polished.
ps. thank you Tim for the help.
Research
Heather Dewey-Hagborg
New York-based artist Biohacker Controversial biopolitical art practice PhD in Electronic Arts Artist-in-Residence at the Exploratorium, and is an affiliate of Data & Society.
She is a founding board member of Digital DNA, a European Research Council funded project investigating the changing relationships between digital technologies, DNA and evidence.
The project Stranger Visions in which she created portrait sculptures from analyses of genetic material (hair, cigarette butts, chewed up gum) collected in public places.
Collecting hairs, chewed up gum, and cigarette butts from the streets, public bathrooms and waiting rooms of New York City.
Extracting DNA from them and analyzed it to computationally generate 3d printed life size full color portraits representing what those individuals might look like, based on genomic research.
All technology is political, and as an artist working with biotechnology I find it crucial to engage these biopolitics directly. This is also the site I find most exciting artistically, to show the embedded politics in technologies and social structures that might otherwise be missed.
How much can I learn about a stranger from a hair?
Is it possible to fall in love with someone through their DNA?
Could I make a virus that infects the world with love? privacy, identity, ethics, and the evolving landscape of genetics and surveillance
Is public safety worth the potential loss of genetic privacy?
What role does art play in raising awareness of technological and ethical issues?
https://deweyhagborg.com/projects/stranger-visions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Dewey-Hagborg
https://deweyhagborg.com/projects/stranger-visions
More Information
additional information and links