14 of Singapore's most forward-looking designers, design studios, and rising talents address contemporary societal needs in a three-part showcase that captures the city-state's vision for innovative design
SINGAPORE, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION, presented by DesignSingapore Council has officially opened at Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Monache, located in the historical Cinque Vie district.
With 2025 marking 60 years of Singapore's independence, the third instalment of the series – launched in 2023 – explores the country's evolution through the lens of design. With a unique approach that unifies forward-thinking design with innovation and creativity, Singapore has transformed into a successful global economy that is famed for being one of the most seamlessly-designed city-states in the world.
Curated by Tony Chambers, Maria Cristina Didero and Singaporean co-curator Hunn Wai of Lanzavecchia + Wai, Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION is a three-part showcase that brings together 14 of Singapore's most forward-looking designers, from established names to rising talents, who are pushing the boundaries of design to enhance the world we live in and how we live in it.
Visitors will be taken on a journey through the past, present, and future of Singapore design, beginning with Little Island of Brave Ideas. Tracing design's crucial role in nation-building over the past six decades, the first part of the showcase spotlights key milestones that demonstrate how strategic foresight and meticulous execution have made Singapore a global success story by design. This includes the country's unique public housing system and robust public transport system, to beers brewed from Singapore's reclaimed water and colour-coded plates in hawker centres.
The third iteration of the Future Impact series stands as the centrepiece, spotlighting eight works from designers Claudia Poh (Werable), Ng Sze Kiat (Bewilder), Olivia Lee, Randy Yeo (Practice Theory), Sacha Leong (Nice Projects), Wei Xiang, as well as design studio Supermama and a collective formed by FARM, Vouse and Changi General Hospital. The works will reflect how Singapore's leading contemporary designers are creating design-driven solutions to tackle urgent global challenges, while reducing environmental impact and elevating everyday lives.
This includes a woven screen designed by Sacha Leong (Nice Projects) in response to overcrowding in cities, to a versatile bag that seamlessly adapts to its users by Claudia Poh (Werable). Design collective FARM, Vouse and Changi General Hospital will present their work on a dynamic digital twin of the hospital's Emergency Department to aid holistic decision-making for enhanced patient care.
The influence of Singapore's rich cultural heritage will also be showcased in new works by Supermama, which modernises the traditional Japanese art form of Kintsugi with 3D-printed resin and algorithmic growth patterns, and Olivia Lee, who reimagines the steel solar cooker, commonplace in Southeast Asia, to spark a broader reflection of the Sun's role as a futuristic source of energy.
Exploring sustainable methods and materials is Ng Sze Kiat (Bewilder), who presents a new line of Fungariums developed using stainless steel, and the Knots Stool by Wei Xiang that transforms old blankets or curtains into functional furniture with simple knots. Finally, Randy Yeo (Practice Theory) considers Singapore's design identity in the context of its nation-building history and unique blend of culture, manifested in a form of sculptural objects using paper offcuts.
"It is with great pride that we bring the third edition of Future Impact to Milan Design Week, to shine a light on the essence of Singapore's unique design DNA with the world. Through each of the eight designers' works, we hope visitors will recognise the important role design plays in shaping the world," said Tony Chambers and Maria Cristina Didero, co-curators for Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION.
Looking to the future, the final segment of the three-part showcase, Virtuoso Visionaires demonstrates Singapore's role as a global hub for design, empowering the next generation of designers to think creatively about contemporary challenges and cultural shifts. Works by six emerging design talents will interrogate topics such as leveraging artificial intelligence to redefine Singapore's multicultural identity, an exploration of Singlish (Singaporean Colloquial English), examining post-consumer waste and circular design practices, as well as sustainable designs for living spaces.
"I am deeply honoured to be proudly showcasing the design excellence of our Lion City to the world at Milan Design Week. Singapore is well-known for thriving through ingenuity and resourcefulness and now, the future lies with the new generation of globally attuned, self-aware innovators who can continue this legacy," said Hunn Wai, co-curator for Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION.
Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION is currently on display within the cathedral setting of Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Monache, located within the Cinque Vie (5vie) district, one of the most vibrant areas for culture and design in central Milan, a short walk from the Duomo. The showcase runs from 8 to 13 April 2025.
Alongside the exhibitions, DesignSingapore Council is hosting a series of events throughout the week. These will include daily designer-led activities that are open to the public such as decoding Singlish nuances and fungarium workshops, Live with Monocle, an exclusive live broadcast show with hourly interviews featuring designers and curators as well as evening cocktails, followed by a Singapore-themed Friday Late party to cap off the week.
"This special edition of the Future Impact series spotlights Singapore's unique design journey as our nation turns 60. Truly a Nation by Design, Singapore has been transformed by a remarkable attitude and approach to design that is purpose-driven, with people at its centre. Through Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION, visitors will gain insight into Singapore as a global design hub that pioneers solutions for pressing challenges," said Dawn Lim, Executive Director of DesignSingapore Council
*ENDS*
For full list of designers and their works, refer to Annex A and B here.
For images and more information, refer to the press kit here.
About DesignSingapore Council
The DesignSingapore Council's (Dsg's) vision is for Singapore to be an innovation-driven economy and a loveable city by design. As the national agency that promotes design, our mission is to develop the design sector, help Singapore use design for innovation and growth, and make life better in this UNESCO Creative City of Design. Dsg is a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board.
designsingapore.org.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Singapore Marks 60 Years of Design and Innovation at Milan Design Week with the Opening of Future Impact 3: DESIGN NATION
LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Insta360, the world's best-selling 360° camera brand, is thrilled to announce Insta360 X5, its latest flagship camera. Combining groundbreaking image quality, rugged durability, and AI-powered ease of use, X5 sets a new benchmark for what 360° cameras can achieve.
Insta360 X5 Launch Video
X5's larger 1/1.28" sensors and lightning-fast Triple AI Chip system deliver a dramatic leap in image quality across all resolutions, including stunning 8K30fps 360° video. With PureVideo, a new AI-powered low-light mode, X5 achieves crisp, cinematic footage in challenging lighting.
Built for adventure, this is the toughest 360° camera ever. Its lenses are crafted from a new ultra-durable glass, while a first-of-its-kind replaceable lens system sets a new standard for the industry, allowing you to swap out damaged lenses on the go. Further hardware upgrades like a built-in wind guard, extended 3-hour battery life, and waterproofing to 49ft, make X5 the ultimate companion for active creators.
From shooting to sharing, X5 makes 360° creation effortless. The all-new InstaFrame Mode simultaneously captures an auto-framed, ready-to-share flat video and a full 360° video to fine-tune later. The Insta360 app has undergone a transformation with more intuitive editing tools, and X5 pairs with the Insta360+ cloud service, where you can instantly share 360º clips, edit on the cloud, and more.
"X5 redefines 360° cameras by solving creators' real challenges," said JK Liu, Insta360's Founder. "From replaceable lenses to AI-powered low-light shooting, we've built our dream camera—rugged enough for adventure, capable enough to produce high quality footage, and intelligent enough to capture epic moments effortlessly."
Insta360 X5 is available to order from April 22, 2025, via the Insta360 Official Store, Amazon, and select retailers, priced at US$549.99.
Insta360 X5 officially launched today at Insta360's pop-up event at NYC's Grand Central Terminal, where the groundbreaking 360º camera is available for purchase on-site from 9am to 5pm. Attendees are queuing around the block to be among the first people in the world to take home the 8K 360º camera. Inside, the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement, with hands-on demonstrations and appearances from top creators, including Jesse Wellens (@jessewelle) and Jen Smith (@jeanapvp). The huge 3.6m X5 installation provides the perfect photo op in the iconic Vanderbilt Hall, where guests can pick up exclusive merch, and meet special guests who'll be dropping by throughout the day. Whether you're capturing your first 360º selfie or testing out new AI-powered features, this experience isn't to be missed.
Unmatched Image Quality, Day and Night
X5's 8K30fps 360° video looks better than ever, with supersampling from 11K to 8K resulting in minimal loss to image quality for true-to-life shots. But resolution is just part of what determines image quality.
X5's 1/1.28" sensors are 144% larger compared to X4's, meaning they capture far more light. The Triple AI Chip system, made up of one 5nm AI Chip and two Pro Imaging Chips, works wonders to reduce noise for clean, uncompressed images in any conditions. With 140% more computing power, every moment—whether on thrilling rides, underwater adventures, or the trip of a lifetime—becomes clearer, brighter, and more vivid.
Low light capture gets an additional boost with a dedicated mode: PureVideo. Advanced AI noise reduction and dynamic range optimization deliver clear, vibrant footage in low light, perfect for capturing your late-night city explorations, motorcycle rides, and more. Meanwhile, Active HDR has been upgraded to 5.7K60fps for smooth, sharper shots, especially in high-contrast scenes.
360° Capture - Souped Up & Simplified
As the fifth generation, X5 has refined every aspect of 360° capture with incredible results. The beauty of shooting with X5 is that you record everything, everywhere, always. No wondering "Did I frame that right?" or fears of missing an epic moment, just shoot first and choose your angles later, with the invisible selfie stick effect enabling otherwise impossible third-person shots. Ideal for solo creators, travelers, and well... everyone.
But now, there's a new mode that makes all that 360° goodness simpler to achieve than ever before. Meet InstaFrame. Hit record and X5 produces two files. The first is an instantly shareable flat video, no editing or reframing needed. Here you have the choice of a fixed view that follows a constant direction or a selfie view that keeps you in frame throughout. And the best part? At the same time, you'll also record a second clip in full 360° so you'll never miss life's unexpected moments, from your toddler's surprise first steps to a dolphin's sudden appearance beside your kayak.
The Toughest 360° Camera Ever
When a lens cracks mid-adventure, most 360° cameras become paperweights—but with X5 you can swap lenses before the ski lift reaches the top of the next run. No worrying about scratches or paying out of pocket for repairs, easily replace damaged lenses on the go with the handy Replacement Lens Kit.
Designed for the klutzes, the cliff-divers, and the 'I-just-dropped-it-again' creators among us, the lenses are also made from a new, high-strength, scratch-resistant glass that makes them far less likely to be damaged in the first place, making X5 a camera you can truly push to the limits.
Elsewhere, X5 has improved in almost every way that an action camera enthusiast could wish for:
The Complete Post-Production Package
The Insta360 app has long been the most sophisticated, user-friendly app for editing 360° content. To coincide with X5's launch, it has undergone a revamp, with a sleeker user interface and new tools that make editing easier than ever.
A one-tap Dewarp button removes fisheye distortion for natural-looking footage, a new option to one-tap export with zero editing or reframing, and more. This is in addition to existing features such as Quick Edit and AI Edit for semi-automatic and automatic editing, Shot Lab with 40+ AI templates, as well as a full, manual editing suite.
Insta360 Studio, the desktop editing software for highest quality exports, is also available completely free, along with the mobile app.
For the best possible Insta360 experience and a smoother workflow, X5 is compatible with Insta360+, a cloud service offering auto file backup, instant sharing of 360° footage, cloud editing and export, and more, making it easier than ever to share your adventures with the world.
Availability
Insta360 X5 is on sale from April 22, 2025, at the Insta360 Official Store, Amazon, and authorized retailers, starting from US$549.99.
About Insta360
With a "Think bold" mindset, Insta360 empowers people to capture and share their lives in extraordinary ways. Recognized as a market leader and innovator, Insta360's vast lineup includes the world's best-selling 360° cameras in the X Series, the thumb-sized GO Series for everyday capture, as well as an extensive range of action cameras, gimbals, webcams, and professional photography solutions. With intuitive, AI-powered software, Insta360 simplifies the creative process, allowing users to focus on storytelling without technical barriers. Insta360 is dedicated to helping a new generation of athletes, creatives, travelers and professionals bring their ideas to life.
For more details visit: http://www.insta360.com
About the Think Bold Fund: https://www.insta360.com/ThinkBoldFund
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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Insta360 Unveils X5: The Smartest, Toughest 360° Camera Ever Made
Insta360 Unveils X5: The Smartest, Toughest 360° Camera Ever Made
