Category: How We Grow

Tuber Tries: Going On A Food Shoot

Back in March, we set out on a food trail across Singapore to curate a list of food recommendations for Challenge, an online publication for the Public Service Division. After an initial round of food tasting, we narrowed this list to 12 food spots. Our team then embarked on a three-day shoot to review, photograph and shoot these stalls and eateries.

Day 1: Central

With fresh spirits and grumbling tummies, we kicked off our food adventure at Zion Riverside Food Centre.

As it was our first stop, we found ourselves grappling with the task of having to take photos, jotting down notes and filming – all at the same time.

For Erin, the videographer, and Lei, the photographer, it was their first time shooting food as a subject. They had to think on their feet to find the right angles and good lighting. Since we didn’t bring our own props for the shoot, we improvised with what was available.

Thankfully we had Fei, our design director, to direct and advise us during our shoots.

Jarod, our chopstick master, also perfected the art of holding up just the right amount of noodles so we could capture delectable shots of the tom yum noodles.

Lei directing Jarod, our trusty hand model and spicy food eater

After ordering two bowls of tom yum fish soup noodles and having numerous retakes, we slowly got the hang of things.

Once it was time to eat, our food was no longer piping hot… but it was still delicious

With our bellies filled (we would soon regret this), the team pressed on to visit four more food spots dotted around the central area.

The team went green taking public transport

From juicy lechon to aglio olio, we ate to our heart’s content. Suffice to say, none of us had space left in our stomachs for dinner.

Day 2: West + East

With a day of shooting behind us, the team began to find their rhythm. We started off our journey to the West (AKA Taman Jurong).

But upon reaching Taman Jurong Food Centre, our spirits were momentarily dampened when we discovered that the lor mee stall we planned on patronising was closed.

Luckily, we had another delicious recommendation to try out: char siew shao rou rice. This was a popular stall in the food centre, so we were fortunate to place our orders before their signature roasted pork was sold out

The temptation to sneak a bite before the shoot ended was very real

With satisfied bellies, we ventured down south to try curry rice, then east to indulge in delicious tarts, and finally Geylang for Nasi Kandar.

But when the Nasi Kandar was served, we were stunned: It was an extremely generous portion – fit for five hungry people. We were, on the other hand, a team of four very full people.

To complicate matters, the sheer size of the dish was one of the most challenging shoots for Lei, who had to shoot it in a way that looks visually pleasing and not messy.

The generous portion of Nasi Kandar that we were given
Day 3: North

Finally, the last day of our shoot! Now we knew which angles and compositions would get us the best shots.

Our first stop was a stall that sold seafood minced meat noodles.

At the coffee shop, we made a beeline for the table with ample natural light. This strategy promised good lighting – which greatly elevated the quality of the shots we took.

Our design director, Fei, giving art direction for each shot

After digging into the scrumptious bowl of noodles, we proceeded to another nearby location to visit a stall that sold ayam lemak chilli padi. It was simply delicious.

And finally, our last stop was a rosti shop tucked away in a coffee shop.

As usual, we secured a table with natural lighting. But as the sky was cloudy, we had to scramble to get our shots whenever the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

Mere moments after Lei’s last shutter, a bird decided to mark the end of the photoshoot by leaving a splatter of white on her wrist.

Whether you consider that moment to be lucky or not, we were thankful to have completed three intense days of shooting, travelling and overindulging.

With our shoot finished, we were excited to head back to the office to piece the final story together.

Curious to see what we ate? Check out the article here! (Warning: it might induce serious hunger pangs!)

Happy bellies, happy team
Lessons we digested:
  1. Try this photo hack: Tell the stall owner that you’ll be photographing the food and they’ll help you style the food (and even throw in some extra ingredients at times).
  2. Pick the right table: Find ample natural lighting so you can spend less time editing the shot.
  3. Pace your stomach and space out your shoots: You might think that with the four of us sharing food, we would not overeat. Well, that was far from reality.
  4. Gather a team with diverse taste-buds: On this shoot, only Jarod had a high spice tolerance, while Erin could not eat seafood. But with a diverse palate, you can overcome such limitations.
Text by: Erin Liam  |  Illustration by: Fei 

Behind the lens: 3 lessons from my first shoot with Tuber 

On my second day as an editorial intern at Tuber, my supervisor, Maziah, asked, “Would you like to assist at the photo shoot next week?”

For a moment, I hesitated at the request. Could I do it? As a communication studies student, I had some experience with shoots in photojournalism class. Yet, they have always been a daunting prospect: Photo shoots meant meeting strangers, directing them to pose and writing their stories on their behalf. Furthermore, the final product would have a wider readership (rather than just my professor). As a shy introvert, thinking about these interactions set off alarm bells in my head.

Thankfully, my role at the shoot at the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) office was minor this time, and I was able to observe from the sidelines and learn from my colleagues. I was also thrilled to catch a glimpse into the fascinating world of weather forecasting. This made me look forward to the shoot, which turned out great! By the end of the shoot, I learnt that a photo shoot is more than just pointing a camera and taking photos.

Here are my three main takeaways:

#1 Build rapport with the subject

Throughout the shoot, Norman (the photographer) and Lei (the writer) engaged in small talk with the subject. This helped her to feel more comfortable and pose more naturally. I realised that building a connection with the subject can help with achieving more authentic shots. It may be out of my comfort zone to talk freely with strangers, but the shoot allowed me to recognise the value of making an effort to connect.

#2 Be curious

Ask questions, even seemingly unimportant ones. Asking more questions allows you to gain a better understanding of the subject’s personality and job. Even the smallest detail can unlock a wealth of information! Ultimately, you want to ask the right questions so you do justice to your subject’s story.

#3 Get the shot you need

Don’t be economical with the shots you take. Norman took a variety of shots — even similar ones with different compositions and lenses. This strategy gave us a range of photo options to choose from after the shoot. If I were a photographer, I might have felt hesitant to ask the subject to pose again and again. However, to capture the best shot possible, it is essential to go after what you need without feeling embarrassed.

Beyond picking up some important tips on photo shoots, this shoot taught me an important life lesson: don’t be afraid to try new things! New experiences at work might seem scary at first, but they ultimately provide opportunities for growth.

Text by: Erin Liam  | Illustration by: Liew Xinyi

What songs can teach us

We’ve listened to our favourite tunes time and again, but have we paid closer attention to the lyrics? Sure, some of the words can range from cryptic to downright confusing. But what if we dug a little deeper? Tuber embarked on a little excavation mission to uncover the hidden (and unexpected) life lessons from famous hits. Read on to find out!

ON TRUSTING THE UNIVERSE

1. “Let it Be” by The Beatles

Back story: On what inspired this iconic tune, Paul McCartney explained in an interview that his late mother had appeared in a dream, reassuring him that “it’s going to be okay. Just let it be.” These words came at a time when the singer was facing an uncertain time with the band. “Let it Be” ended up becoming the title track of the final Beatles album, heralding the end of The Beatles era.

Possible lesson: Trust the universe and let go of the need to be in control. It’s okay to not have all the answers.

ON LIFE’S BREVITY

2. “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles

Back story: Following the band’s split, the former One Direction star captured fans’ hearts with this moody piano ballad as his debut single. But beneath the gentle melody lies a darker story: in an interview with Rolling Stone, Styles shared that the song was about a dying woman who, after having just given birth, had only five minutes to tell her child, “Go forth and conquer.” As the lyrics advise: “We should open up/ Before it’s all too much”.

Possible life lesson: Life is short. Cherish our loved ones while we still can.

ON EMBRACING OUR UNIQUENESS

3. “True Colours” by Cyndi Lauper

Back story: Whether you first heard this classic on the radio or through the movie, Trolls, “True Colours” has been a go-to comfort tune over the years. In an interview, Lauper spoke of the need to quiet down during moments of self-doubt and heed an inner voice, which whispers: “It’s gonna be okay” in order to embrace who we are.

Possible life lesson: Be proud of ourselves and all the traits that make us unique.

ON SELF-LOVE

4. “dear me,” by Gentle Bones

Back story: Performed by Singaporean singer-songwriter, Joel Tan, better known as Gentle Bones, “dear me,” is an introspective song about self-love and validation. “Was it you/ was it?”, sings Tan, in a dialogue with himself. In an interview, the singer described “dear me” as his way of thanking himself for getting through hard times.

Possible life lesson: Acknowledge your efforts and give yourself credit. Be your own cheerleader.

ON WISDOM AND CAUTION

5. “Waterfalls” by TLC

Back story: Many remember the catchy chorus of this 90s hit: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls/ Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to”. At first listen, the song seems to discourage one from dreaming “too big”, but its lyrics also convey the importance of being mindful of consequences, and prioritising one’s health and well-being.

Possible life lesson: We all have big, splashy ambitions, but let’s also keep our feet planted firmly on the ground.

ON BOUNCING BACK

6. “You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift

Back story: Fans of Taylor Swift (or “Swifties”) would be familiar with the ups and downs accompanying the musician’s life and professional journey. The start of this light, boppy number chronicles Swift’s struggles in love, friendship and her career over the years. However, there’s always a turning point, she stresses: “Everything you lose is a step you take/ So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it/ You’ve got no reason to be afraid.”

Possible life lesson: We can bounce back from our setbacks and emerge stronger. Take challenges in our stride and face the future confidently.

ON FRIENDSHIP

7. “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel

Back story: “Hello darkness, my old friend.” The opening line to this famous number has become a facetious, almost meme-worthy way to express anguish. But the real story is much more inspirational. Garfunkel had a college friend who suddenly lost his sight and sunk into depression. “Sound of Silence” was inspired by Garfunkel’s experience of being there for his friend.

Possible life lesson: We all need people we can lean on during difficult moments. Be that light to a friend in need.

ON PAIN

8. “Believer” by Imagine Dragons

Back story: This empowering anthem springs from a story of struggle. Imagine Dragon’s frontman Dan Reynolds channelled the anguish he endured as a sufferer of Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory arthritis, into the song’s lyrics. “Pain!/ You made me a, you made me a believer, believer”. “Believer”conveys the power of transcending physical suffering and turning pain into art.

Possible life lesson: Don’t shy away from pain. There is meaning in the struggle.

ON ACKNOWLEDGING THE PAST AND MOVING ON

9. “Hello” by Adele

Back story: In this soul-crushing ballad, Adele belts, “Hello from the other side/ I must’ve called a thousand times/ To tell you I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done”. “Hello” can be interpreted as a lover trying to reach out to a past flame. But Adele clarified that the song was really about reconnecting with her younger self. She shared in an interview that she felt like a stranger to herself after becoming a new mother, and the experience spurred her to pen “Hello”.

Possible life lesson: It’s normal to be wistful as we move through our different seasons of life. We will change and grow constantly.

ON SEIZING THE DAY

10. “What Would You Do?” By Honne and Pink Sweat$

Back story: Early in 2020, music duo Honne posed this existential question: “Let’s just say the world ended a week from now/ What would you do?” Little did they know the world would be plunged into uncertainty when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The song’s message is clear: to treasure our loved ones. “And why not?” asked Honne in an interview, “The world is ending.”

Possible life lesson: Doomsday may not be seven days away, but who really knows? Seize everyday like it’s our last.

ON FINDING OUR OWN WAY

11. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John

Back story: Longtime collaborator of Elton John, Bernie Taupin, wrote this song when pining for a simpler life amid John’s booming music career. “I was just hoping that maybe there was a happy medium way to exist successfully in a more tranquil setting,” claimed Taupin. This well-known number is named after the Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz, symbolising the path towards success. However, its lyrics speak of taking another route – one that “lies beyond the Yellow Brick Road”.

Possible life lesson: We can make our own way by redefining what success means to us.

ON BEING ENOUGH

12. “Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez

Back story: While fans have speculated that this break-up ballad is about her tumultuous romance with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez clarified in her documentary that the song is not just about “lost love”, but also about self-discovery. “This dancing was killing me softly/ I needed to hate you to love me” go the lyrics, which speak of letting go of relationships that no longer serve us.

Possible life lesson: Move on from people who drag us down. We are enough.

ON NOT QUITTING

13. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House

Back story: Without listening to this song, the title, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” seems ambiguous. Does it hold a grim message or a hopeful one? Its uplifting melody hints that it’s the latter. Thankfully Crowded House lead singer Neil Finn confirmed in a podcast that the lyrics (“When the world comes in/ They come, they come/ To build a wall between us/ You know they won’t win”) are about staying the course in the face of challenges.

Possible life lesson: Don’t give up just yet. As long as we’re alive, there’s hope in any situation.

ON GRIEF

14. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

Back story: Lead singer of Green Day, Billie Armstrong, wrote this soulful number after losing his father to cancer. As a 10-year-old, he had locked himself in his room after the funeral, telling his mother, “Wake me up when September ends”. Later, the song also came to hold significance for people who experienced tragic events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina.

Possible life lesson: Grieve, but also honour the lives of those who’ve gone before us.

ON BEING GENUINE

15. “Sincerity is Scary” by The 1975

Back story: In this feel-good track, rock band The 1975 critiques the façade people put up to hide their true selves, especially on social media. Ingenuity is the undesirable result, the lyrics imply, when people refuse to be sincere: “And why would you believe you could control how you’re perceived”.

Possible life lesson: Everybody sees through a false persona. Stop hiding behind a mask and be genuine.

Text by: Erin Liam and Rachel Tey | Illustration by: Liew Xinyi

Why board games bond colleagues

3…2…1!

Hands shot out to grab at the gigantic pile of cards on the table, turning them over at random. The challenge: to find the right ingredient cards to make the perfect kopitiam drink. In those few minutes, it was every person for themselves. Sighs of frustration bounced off the walls amidst the card-flipping frenzy.

Hey! You stole my card!

Argh!! Where’s the sugar? There’s no sugar!

Close shop!

Fei was crowned Kopi King after winning twice in a row, only for his throne to be usurped by Jarod in the last game.

Why team bonding matters

To work better, teams need to establish mutual trust and build rapport through shared experiences. After a year of mostly working from home, we decided to be more intentional in understanding one another by organising light-hearted and fun activities to do together as a company. This time, we played board games.

Here are some reasons why board games help teams work better together:

#1 They strengthen communication

Board games are a great way to foster collaboration and communication in teams. Like client projects, collaborative board games usually have a common goal or objective that must be achieved by all parties.

For example: in Codenames, we had to quickly discuss and agree on which words to select when our “spymaster” gave one-word clues that related to the specific cards on the table.
#2 They help you become a better strategist

Strategy games require us to be more intentional in our actions and to think of how we can assist one another to achieve a common goal. To succeed, a team should be on the same page about how things are done, and play to each other’s strengths.

For example: in Sequence, we each played a card and placed a chip on the matching space on the board. As the game was played in total silence, each pair had to anticipate and cooperate with one another’s moves to create a sequence of five same-coloured chips in order to win.
#3 They motivate us through fun

We believe that having fun benefits our creative work, and going to new places can inspire us with fresh ideas. Team bonding sessions also give us the chance to destress and recharge so that we can perform better at work.

I found the company outing to be a fun and fruitful one, and hope to have more of such opportunities to get to know the team better.

Text by: Lei | Illustration by: Xinyi

‘Everything Is Awesome’: Balancing Work and Play with Lego

At Tuber, creativity is highly prized for helping us to discover new areas of interest, refresh our perspectives, and overcome any creative blocks.

In October, we had our first experience with Lego Serious Play, a workshop that combined a structured approach with play, storytelling and reflection. Under the guidance of facilitators, the Tuber team participated in activities that honed skills in areas such as creative thinking, communication and problem-solving.

You may wonder how playing with Lego, typically a child’s activity, can be a serious play for adults. At this workshop, we found much relevance in using Lego models to build abstract concepts, as well as to express our capabilities and personalities.

We were prompted by the facilitators to build and explain our individual models, which we eventually combined into a group model representing our team’s perspective.

Here are a few of our takeaways:

We got to know one another better

Creative games, such as Lego Serious Play, are a great way of bringing colleagues closer. We discovered more about ourselves while immersed in the activity, and had fun at the same time. Each individual Lego model that we formed showcased our uniqueness.

We unleashed the creative energy of the team

Creative team play can catalyse the discovery of new strengths and foster new ways of problem-solving at both the individual and team level. Even though we were asked the same question, our interpretations were different and unique.

We made connections between our ideas

At the session, we instinctively grabbed our own Lego models to form a group model. This action spoke to our instinctive desire to synergise ideas using our respective Lego models. The Tuber team benefitted from this experience and had fun in the process. Give Lego Serious Play a try!

Text by: Jarod | Illustration by: Xinyi

The secret sauce to Tuber-rific content


How to ace a job interview with a creative agency

Job interviews are a lot like first dates. You’re focused on trying to sell yourself. You want to know if you’re a good match for the other person. You probably stalked– er, looked them up on social media before meeting them.

And just like dates, job interviews are all about making good impressions. In the creative field, this is especially important since many roles are client-facing. To achieve this, it’s best to come prepared.

Follow our tips to get started:

1. Do your research

The interviewers will be able to tell if your knowledge of the company is limited to what is in the job ad. It’s a must to familiarise yourself with the agency’s portfolio before the interview.

Make sure you know which industries the agency caters to and the different services provided. If the interview takes place over a video call, take this chance to have the company’s website and social media pages open for easy reference.

Another good practice is to take note of any projects that stand out to you. It could be a project that impressed you or one that you’d have liked to work on. Mention these projects to show how your creative interests align with that of the agency.

2. Polish your portfolio

If you’re a creative, the first impression of you will be formed long before the interview – when the hirers go through your portfolio. So it’s important to curate a portfolio that shows the full extent of your abilities.

In the age of online applications, it makes sense to have a digital portfolio. Ensure that the link to your portfolio is clearly visible on your resume. If you’re emailing the agency, provide the link again in your email – it might seem a bit kiasu, but the point is to make it easy for interviewers to get to know you.

For breadth, aim to show that you are capable of working across different genres, styles and platforms. This is a good asset to have because of the wide variety of projects you’ll work on in the creative industry.

3. Draft interview answers

Not all of us are naturally blessed at giving good interview answers under pressure. But we can always prepare our replies beforehand.

Expect interview questions to be related to the skills needed for the job and your interest in the role and company. Some interviewers may even ask you theoretical questions about difficult work situations. Your answers will inform them about your work ethic and how well you respond under pressure.

4. Be presentable

For virtual interviews, looking presentable doesn’t mean just wearing a formal shirt over your shorts and brushing your hair.

It’s also important that you are clearly seen and heard. Check that you have a good Internet connection and working speakers or earphones. Find a spot with good lighting that flatters you. Sit about 30cm away from the camera, so that your shoulders are visible in the frame.

5. Come with questions

For virtual interviews, looking presentable doesn’t mean just wearing a formal shirt over your shorts and brushing your hair.

Many job seekers tend to underestimate the importance of asking questions to the interviewers.

This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your sense of curiosity and initiative, and find out more about the job and whether the company and role are suited for you.

Some good questions to ask include:

• What the working environment or a typical day on the job is like
• How success in your role will be measured
• What challenges you can expect to face

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but preparing well for them will create better chances of securing your dream job, or at least making a good impression on the interviewers. Take a deep breath and go for it. Good luck!

Illustration by: Lei

The virtues of being vulnerable

Being vulnerable has been difficult for me ever since I moved to Singapore. Even as I pen this post, I still feel uneasy sharing such personal thoughts that even my closest friends and family members know little about.

I first came to Singapore in 2007 after graduation and worked a junior role in the design industry. Like most Malaysians, English isn’t my first language, which was a communication barrier for me at the time. Because of that, I worried about being perceived as not as smooth, smart, expressive or even competent as my peers at work.

Eventually, I realised I had developed a profound fear of expressing myself or opening up to people including friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Back then, I also had little work-life balance. Even though work had been financially rewarding, I found little job satisfaction and had no one to turn to when I felt stressed or faced problems.

These feelings of insecurity and helplessness slowly led to burnout. I was not aware of the impact this had on me until recently. When Tuber started to have small talk sessions during our weekly check-ins, I initially struggled to open up about myself as I feared showing my weaknesses, especially in a professional setting.

But each of us slowly began to ease up during casual conversations. I finally realised that while it might not come naturally to me, opening up is more about my willingness to share rather than the fear of being judged. I started to let go of the shame and think positively, focusing on my desire to connect better with the rest of the team. I believe that doing this will eventually help me to identify, process and understand myself from a different perspective.

Here are three key things that help me open up the lines:

1. Embrace vulnerability as a strength

Being vulnerable isn’t a bad thing. It’s not easy – we need a mindset shift to believe that the pros of putting ourselves out there outweigh the cons. By embracing vulnerability as a strength, we are able to show our authentic selves and have the courage to feel inadequate sometimes. Authenticity allows us to connect and be honest with people, especially our team members, which in turn builds trust, strengthens work relationships and lets us leverage our capabilities and skills for the benefit of the team.

2. Be brave and talk it out

Having a safe place to talk about our feelings, opinions and ideas can motivate us to share more about ourselves. As we realise that other people share our struggles or can empathise with us, we feel more comfortable opening up. It also helps us reflect on our actions, develop better self-awareness, acknowledge that there’s room for improvement and take responsibility for the choices we make or the things we say.

3. Be a good listener

Apart from being able to open up confidently, it’s also important to be an active listener who encourages other people to speak up. This is especially important at work, where we’re so used to proving our capabilities and focused on doing or saying the right thing. Being a focused and engaged listener can motivate and encourage our colleagues to step outside their comfort zone and share their own thoughts and concerns.

So learn to be vulnerable with the right mindset, and with the people you care about (including your colleagues!). Start small by sharing a recent experience and how it impacted you. It could be a decision that leaves you beaming!

Illustration by: Xinyi

Advice for junior creatives

Living in a pandemic may feel volatile, especially if you are a soon-to-be graduate or full-time student. It can be overwhelming and anxiety-inducing to think about what the future holds, but I find that focusing on what I can do at the current moment, one step at a time, helps me to stay grounded.

Here is some advice I’ve gleaned from my experiences and applied in my journey starting out in the creative industry:

1. Learn something every day, not someday

Every expert starts off as a novice. Even experts are still learning new things when they encounter new scenarios. Don’t let your feelings of inadequacy or procrastination hinder you from embarking on a new hobby or project. Come with a willingness and openness to learn anything, because growth happens out of your comfort zone. You might be surprised to discover that your new hobby can help you land new connections or a job!

The process of learning involves making mistakes, but we have to learn from them to become better. Mistakes can be beautiful and make learning memorable.

2. Unfriend procrastination

Procrastination is not always a friend. Putting things off brings future dissatisfaction and has no real payoff. I’m sure we’re all guilty of going down the YouTube rabbit hole of endless videos to only come to our senses a few hours later. We then panic over the time lost as we suddenly realise we should have made a head start on the projects with an impending deadline. We need to invest in our time and make sure it gives us returns rather than regret.

At the end of the day, when we lack the motivation to do things – we’ve just got to start doing them anyway.

3. Don’t take things too personally

Sometimes, your hopes get crushed when the client tells you that the work you sent does not meet their expectations. We creatives tend to view our work as an extension of ourselves, and it can be demoralising to perceive ourselves as failures because our work was not well-received.

Take a step back and inhale deeply.

Once you feel calmer, take another look at the client’s feedback objectively rather than subjectively. What was the issue that the client brought up? Could you have asked more questions to better understand what they wanted? Once you have clearly understood what needs to be changed, you can jump back in and make the necessary amendments.

4. Throw perfectionism out of the window

Creativity knows no bounds, but perfectionism holds a tight leash on where we can go as creatives. Sometimes inspiration strikes and we simply need to act on it rather than ponder about whether the idea will really work. Experimentation and exploration are the antidote to perfectionism, which cripples the creative process.

5. Be cross-disciplinary

The creative field is interlinked with many other fields. In order to flourish, we need to branch out to other fields and understand how they work. In our lifetime, we will be exposed to many opportunities and will be able to put on multiple hats.

With knowledge in design skills, for example, we can be better digital marketers as well as food artists. The possibilities are pretty much endless, as we can draw from knowledge in different fields. Be open and spend time with people outside the creative industry, because you never know what new perspective and inspiration they can bring into your creative life.

Conclusion

As a young working adult, I have continually heard this phrase: “You have all your life to work”. You may feel like your future is uncertain–but keep being curious, trying different roles and searching till you find something that fits you well. Wisely invest your youth and energy in places that will bring benefits for the future you.

Illustration by: Lei

What we learnt from our Tuber-Tusi social sessions

For the past 2 months, we’ve spent our lunchtime every other Wednesday holding social sessions with our sister company Tusitala. These casual gatherings started as a way for all of us to relax, have fun and get to know each other. But playing games and interacting with our colleagues also taught us useful lessons that can be applied to our work.

#1: Creativity is key

We’ve played some drawing games during these sessions. They were fun yet challenging, since most of us are not artistically inclined. But it was also a chance to exercise our creativity. We found other ways to communicate our chosen word or scenario – whether it meant using more colours, speech bubbles or lots of circles and arrows.

Jarod
My first instinct is to choose the easiest word to draw in the shortest time. However, the easiest word to draw does not mean it’s easier to guess. Hence, the importance of word choice coupled with the use of other techniques (e.g., using different colours and drawing tools, etc) for clarity is key to winning the game.

Keval
Skribbl has been fun and challenging in equal measure. Fun because I like the friendly competition and challenging because I’m not good at drawing, which makes it harder for others to guess what I’m putting across. But I have also come to appreciate how we are a team of creative thinkers – especially when we manage to guess each other’s peculiarly drawn words.

#2: Sometimes, simple is best

The bonding activities during these sessions were always kept simple. Most times, we kept to using a video platform and an online game. One session, to play a game of 2 Truths 1 Lie, all we used was paper, Powerpoint and the video platform’s poll function. As it turned out, these tools alone were enough. Free from overly complicated activities or agendas, we had the space to forge organic connections with our Tusi colleagues.

Xinyi
It was pretty interesting and fun to get to know one another through mini games like Skribbl and 2 Truths 1 Lie. It was also pretty interesting that through these games, we’re able to understand that we all have different perspectives and experiences that shaped who we are today.


Hidayah
It was nice how we were able to bond so easily over simple activities like a drawing game. I realised that it doesn’t take much to connect with people – all you need is initiative and an open mind.

When we played Garticphone, messing up meant more fun for everyone.

#3: Mistakes are good

Things didn’t always go as planned during the drawing games. Sometimes, we weren’t able to draw the prompt correctly, or misinterpreted it. But these were also some of the most entertaining moments in the sessions, because none of us were able to predict that the game would turn out this way.

Lei
It was my first time playing Garticphone, and I also found it super cute that the people at work made time to have some fun and bond. Some of the interpretations and drawings were so off-topic that I cried laughing – luckily, I was muted. I’m secretly quite noisy, hehe.
#4: Connection comes first

Many of us in Tuber are introverts – but surprisingly, we were all more vocal during the social sessions. Perhaps it was the fact that we were separated by a computer screen, or that the atmosphere was casual and welcoming. Either way, we realised that we enjoyed getting to know our Tusi colleagues, and felt comfortable socialising on a virtual platform.

Wei Ping­
It’s nice to see the fun side of my team members as well as making friends with other members outside of Tuber. Interestingly, it appears that we are more open to talking about ourselves on a virtual space than when we meet in person.

Fei­
It was a nice bit of fun to get to know one another a little better through the games.

Maziah
Playing and winning games is fun but for me, virtual socialising is best when we can see and learn a little bit more about one another. The chats on the side are always interesting too.

Even though we haven’t been doing the social sessions for very long, interacting with our colleagues in a casual setting allowed us to see each other – and the work we do – in a new way. Someday, we may return to the office and these sessions may end, but the lessons we’ve learnt from them will surely stick with us.

Illustration by: Xinyi

We grow

good work


© Tuber 2023, A Potato Productions Company

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284 River Valley Road
#01-01 Singapore 238325

+65 6836 4030
info@tuber.sg

We grow

good work


© Tuber 2023
A Potato Productions Company

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284 River Valley Road
#01-01 Singapore 238325

+65 6836 4030
info@tuber.sg

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