lipingthong
We are now three weeks into January 2026. I started work on 2nd January (whilst it’s still quiet) to allow room for deep work. In recent years it has become increasingly apparent to me how work easily spills into every available surface – desks, calendars, weekends, energy and attention – and how that is often … Read more
Left the farm late evening yesterday. When the sky turns orange and the air starts to smell like burnt toast, that’s a sign to leave. I wasn’t in a Watch and Act zone on the VicEmergency app, but there were two active spots close by that kept getting closer. The problem with waiting too long … Read more
I got a new keyboard. Small acquisition – but it brought me a disproportionate amount of joy and happiness. I care a lot about keyboards – not as accessories – instruments. It is the mediator between the thinking and the screen. I treat my keyboards like a wardrobe, different keyboards for different occasions and different … Read more
It’s been a week since the massive tree limb fell off my gum tree. The powerful gusts last week managed to peel this massive limb off the tree. About 7 meters long. The sun finally came out by noon, I considered procrastinating (my neighbour said I’m the laziest farmer in the world) but eventually, got … Read more
Back from traveling two days ago – a productive trip, but an absolutely long and arduous journey. Happy to be back to farm base. It’s only been a week, but the grass is noticeably greener. The quails have started crowing (signalling the abundance of eggs in forthcoming weeks). The dam and creek has started filling. … Read more
Farm fact – the speckled patterns on quail eggs are akin to fingerprints, unique to individual quail hens. It still amazes me. Each hen lays with the same pattern her entire life, like a built-in signature. I grew up eating quail eggs. It’s very common in Malaysia – we typically hard boil them, served with … Read more
Back to farm sweet farm after a busy work week. It was very productive. But there’s also work waiting at the farm – never-ending list that kept piling up – everything needing maintenance, repair and tending to. I’d fallen behind, but I’m slowly starting to restore order here. Finally got to the chicken coop today … Read more
A story where my design took off, traveled the world – and never wrote home. On a very late night 18 years ago, I was feeling bored at my apartment in Vietnam. So I designed this poster. I’ve always liked propaganda posters – this flips its usual visual grammar of labour, productivity to a cheeky … Read more
If we’re not actively regenerating – are we really designing for the future? Been catching up on my never-ending list of farm chores. Yesterday, I spent hours cutting down massive fallen tree limbs that were wedged in the trunk of another gum tree. The cut logs will be put to good use – mushroom logs, … Read more
Teaching is about guiding students toward mastery, like a modern-day apprenticeship. 🔨 I was hanging out with Dr Ben Byrne (Program Manager, Digital Media) last week, chatting about the exciting studios lined up for our Digital Media program next semester. As always, it’s a real Digital Design smorgasbord – UX/UI, immersive design, interactive, sound design, … Read more