Singapore Design Awards 2025 recognises projects helping youths in need
It is organised by Design Business Chamber Singapore in partnership with the National Council of Social Service
[SINGAPORE] Design project Roots & Wings operates an unconventional kind of matchmaking service – it pairs youth with seniors for a photography project.
Over a period of four weeks earlier this year, six people between the ages of 19 and 24 were matched to retired seniors aged 58 to 72 to explore the theme of “change” through the medium of photography.
Liang Yanjie, a service designer who developed this project, said: “We wanted to work on an inter-generational programme that connects seniors with youth with mental health challenges… This experience enabled the youth to have more confidence and resilience.”
The youth were recruited through an open call, and Liang and educator Chang Mei Yee worked with non-profit organisation RSVP Singapore – which engages seniors in purpose-driven volunteerism – to recruit the majority of the seniors. All the participants were interested in photography and had a “keen curiosity” of the other generation.
On choosing photography as the medium, Liang said: “Photography is very accessible, because everyone is taking photos and sharing them on a daily basis – seniors and youth alike. And it’s low-cost in the sense that we’re just using mobile phones.”
After attending a photography workshop, the pairs got acquainted and went around Singapore together to take pictures.
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Liang and Chang said mastering the basics of photography builds confidence, while listening to the seniors’ experience offers new coping perspectives for the youth.
Liang added: “We wanted the youth to change their perspective and maybe look at things and think that ‘actually, things might be alright in the end’, after having seen what the seniors have gone through.”
They can also receive encouragement from the seniors, which develops self-belief. This can help change their mindset and improve their mental health.
The programme culminated in a public showcase at the National Library, where the pairs shared their experiences and displayed their photographs.
Roots & Wings was the winner of the Singapore Design Awards 2025 held on Wednesday (Mar 19) at 10 Square, in which participants came up with a prototype. It was organised by Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) in partnership with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS).
Chee Su Eing, president of DBCS, said: “This (year’s) edition explores how design can address critical issues that youths face, such as mental health challenges, family instability and educational disengagement. A key difference this year is the integration with the social service sector.”
Penny Elaine Yapp, group director of services at NCSS, added: “Mental health concerns, including among the youth population, is an area of growing attention.”
Besides S$10,000 in seed funding, each participant also received mentorship from those in the design and social services sectors and attended knowledge-sharing sessions organised by NCSS.
As the winner, Roots & Wings received an additional S$20,000 in funding to scale its prototype and further trial it with users.
Yapp said: “Post-awards, NCSS will render support for the finalists to bring their prototypes to market, where relevant. This could include funding support through NCSS’ 4ST Partnership Fund, which supports solutions developed through partnerships, or linking them up with relevant social service agencies for collaboration.”
Liang said he and Chang will use the additional funding to make the Roots & Wings programme longer and potentially include other mediums, such as video. Running roving photography exhibitions in public spaces is another possibility.
He hopes to foster more interactions – not just between each pair but also among the youth and seniors themselves – to talk about the challenges they face.
Other finalists
One finalist, Makan, Already Anot?, reimagines shared family dinners to foster more meaningful connections between youth.
Jamie Loh, an architectural designer who is part of the team, said: “It is inviting people to come to the table to experience a family dinner and to see how it can transform their own experience.”
The participants are a parent-and-child duo as the host, a youth co-host and a youth guest. They prepare the meal, eat and clean up together, while sharing stories. At the table, there is a tablecloth that the participants can share their findings on, as well as conversation starter materials to help break the ice. The aim is for youth to connect over different stories and experiences about families.
Another finalist is Unwinding Map, a mindful walking app that also has observer cards – which help users connect with their surroundings – to provide non-clinical stress management techniques for creative professionals, youth and tech employees.
Chuang Hsing-Ying, a Master of Arts in Design graduate who is part of the team behind the prototype, said: “The shared system encourages users to practise stress-coping techniques naturally through multi-sensory exploration during city rambles. This aims to… prevent burnout and destigmatise mental wellness.”
The app features a co-created map and points of discovery that users can contribute to, which fosters a sense of community.
DBCS’ Chee said: “The Singapore Design Awards will continue to spotlight innovative and human-centric designs that address pressing social challenges both in Singapore and beyond.
“Ultimately, our vision is to cultivate a culture where design is recognised as an essential tool for social good – one that drives meaningful change at individual and community levels.”
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