Our Studio
Fictionist Studio is an award-winning independent creative studio based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our practice is both design and art-led. We believe that this duality allows us to help brands stand out and thrive whilst championing originality to the best extent we can.
We are a small, eclectic crew who design, write, illustrate, strategise, animate, and more. At the heart of it, we are storytellers who are imaginative and intelligent in thought; robust and rhythmic in action.
Our work has been recognised by D&AD Awards, Type Director’s Club, Art Director’s Club, Dieline Awards, Golden Pin Awards and Dezeen Awards. However, what’s most rewarding to us is when we help brands embody their true, authentic selves or when we create products that spark surprise, joy and wonder.
Our Values
1
Craft is key
Craft is key
Ideas are empty words without craft. We are all for problem-solving and capturing the big picture, but we also pay attention to the small nuanced details that elevate the outcome. We believe good craft should have expression, wit, and warmth — which we factor into our aesthetic decisions.
2
Strategy is logic
Strategy is logic
Our idea of strategy is not using quadrant maps and jargons like “synergy” and “minimum viable product” or prepping a 200-page Powerpoint deck. What we are interested in is proposing the next steps based on our understanding of the brief, and we do it in a way that is concise, understandable, and implementable.
3
Words frame pictures
Words frame pictures
Everything we do is about conveying a message in a captivating and informative way, and we achieve this through the power of copywriting and storytelling. We believe a well-considered choice of narrative and tone of voice helps improve the clarity of the message.
4
Room for experiment
Room for experiment
We embrace unintentionality in our process, because it gives us an opportunity to explore something new through trial and error. This is not to say we dismiss logic or try to reinvent the wheel, but often times, we turn a thing or two on its head and see where that takes us (like our masthead logo *wink*).
5
Build relationships
Build relationships
We have learnt from our experience that stellar work is only possible through a long-term, two-way client or collaborator relationship that is attentive, honest, and forthcoming.
Our Team
The Founder
Joanne Chew is a visual storyteller, graphic artist, creative director and aspiring writer. A graduate of Parsons the New School for Design in New York and having worked in several boutique design firms in New York and Singapore, she returned to her homeland and founded Fictionist Studio in 2014. Her writings have been published in Design Observer, Singapore’s The Design Society Journal and China’s Design 360˚Magazine. She has also spoken at SEARCH Book Launch 2019 and Typographics 2021.
The Crew
Our Services
Whilst we work across a wide range of platforms and disciplines, we are keen to take on projects that give us the opportunity to reimagine how things should be done. Our end goal isn’t to just create what is acceptable or expected, but to create an experience for our audience that resonates and will be remembered.
Branding
Brand strategy
Identity design
Brand guidelines
Collateral design
Copywriting
Packaging
Papercraft
Print design
Book design
Editorial
Graphic
Typography
Lettering
Illustration
Art Direction
Campaign Ideation
Digital
Website
Motion Graphics
UI/UX
Spatial
Wayfinding
Signage
Exhibition
Installation
Selected Clients
We have worked with local and international B2C and B2B companies across cultural, commercial and industrial sectors. Whether it’s an avant-garde fusion restaurant, a plastic recycling company, or a letterpress museum, we are happy to hear from anyone.
AIA Berhad (MY)
Antalis Malaysia (MY)
Mossery (MY)
British Council (MY)
KSK Group (MY)
KSK Land (MY)
Heng Hiap Industries (MY)
Universal Bakehouse (MY)
The Royal Press Museum (MY)
Nitan (TH)
Yasmin Ahmad Society (MY)
YTL Land (MY)
Licky Chan & The Poke Guy (MY)
Tiffin (MY)
Carmana (TH)
Sunday Insurance (TH)
Serai Group (MY)
357NWR (NZ)
103 Coffee (MY)
8 Conlay (MY)
Taylor’s Education Group Assets (MY)
Press
Awards
Year | Organisation | Award | Work |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | D&AD Awards Shortlist/Graphic Design/Self Promotion Tales of Scales | ||
2024 | ADC 103rd Annual Awards Bronze/Brand/Communication Design, Promotional, Self-Promotion Tales of Scales | ||
2024 | ADC 103rd Annual Awards Silver/Publication Design – Books/Limited Edition/Private Press/Special Format OPCBWTFTWBASCY | ||
2024 | Dieline Awards Bronze/Limited Edition Wing Heong Dragon’s Delight | ||
2024 | Dieline Awards Silver/Electronics, Office, E-Commerce, Entertainment, and Self-Promo Category Tales of Scales | ||
2023 | 69th Type Director’s Club Awards Certificate of Typographic Excellence Go Go Glyphs | ||
2023 | Dieline Awards Shortlist/Electronics, Office, E-Commerce, Entertainment, and Self-Promo Category Bountiful Bunnies | ||
2023 | ADC 102nd Annual Awards Shortlist/Brand/Communication Design Go Go Glyphs | ||
2022 | Golden Pin Awards Design Mark Winner Once Upon a Pounce | ||
2022 | Dieline Awards Silver/Electronics, Office, E-Commerce, Entertainment, and Self-Promo Category Once Upon A Pounce | ||
2022 | PRINT Awards 2022 First Place/Self-Promotions Once Upon A Pounce | ||
2022 | ADC 101st Annual Awards Merit/Brand/Communication Category – Promotional – Self-Promotion Once Upon A Pounce | ||
2021 | Tokyo TDC Selected Works Ox in a Box | ||
2021 | D&AD Awards Shortlist/Graphic Design/Self-Promotion Ox in a Box | ||
2021 | ADC 100th Annual Awards Shortlist/Graphic Design Ox in a Box | ||
2021 | 67th Type Director’s Club Awards Certificate of Typographic Excellence Ox in a Box | ||
2021 | Dezeen Awards Longlist/Graphic Design Ox in a Box | ||
2019 | D&AD Awards Shortlist/Illustration Porksperity Lunar New Year |
Get In Touch
Feel free to reach out to us at hello@fictionist.studio with any inquiries.