TRENDY, VERSATILE FUNPACKS FOR NDP 2012 SPECTATORS

The highly-anticipated National Day Parade (NDP) funpack this year comes with a refreshing, modern typographic design; it is versatile; and can be carried in three different ways. It also contains fun and functional items that Singaporeans can use to express their love for the nation during and beyond NDP.

In line with this year's NDP theme Loving Singapore, Our Home, the funpack aims to resonate with Singaporeans as they reflect on their common identity and shared memories of the good and tough times.

Explaining the rationale behind the funpack design and the selection of the items, Chairman of the NDP 2012 Logistics and Finance Committee Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Lau Hui Boon said: "This year's funpack is put together not only to celebrate the nation's birthday, but also to fit into Singaporeans' active lifestyles. The bag has a simple and sturdy design which makes it suitable for sports activities and outdoor use. Some of the funpack items can also be used for future sporting events to support Singaporean athletes."

Nine young Singaporeans from Temasek Polytechnic designed the funpack for this year's NDP. The bag has different typography print designs based on four key messages: identity, spirit, love and home. The messages aim to strike a chord with Singaporeans as they express the reasons they love Singapore.

On the inspiration behind the design of the funpack, team leader Jarron Isaac Tham said: "The bag is designed such that it is both modern and versatile in function so that it is able to suit your lifestyle preferences. Not only can you carry it in any way you like, you can also use it for various purposes, like a gym bag or a pillow."

He added that the messages on the bags were inspired by "what impressions Singaporeans have about Singapore, and what sentimental values they hold about the nation".

The NDP 2012 funpack includes interactive items such as a Singapore scarf, "I love SG" torch and castanets, and accessory items like a bandana and a snap band. Several items can be used after the Parade; for instance, the scarf can be used at regional and international sporting events to show support for Singaporean athletes and the "I love SG" torches can be used as lightsticks at concerts.

The bandana is a novel addition to the funpack. Themed Heartland Symphony, the bandana was designed by the same team from Temasek Polytechnic. The patterns comprise three separate sets of two heartland icons, representing familiar sights and sounds of local neighbourhoods. The icons include a kopi cup and a pet bird in a cage; a playground swing and a spring rider; as well as a kite and an ice cream.

Singaporeans are invited to take a walk down memory lane with the NDP 2012 souvenir book Our Songs - a compilation of lyrics of popular national and NDP theme songs like Home and Where I Belong - found in the funpack. The lyrics are accompanied by light-hearted illustrations of memorable events that took place in the years when these iconic songs were produced.

This year, students from the Institute of Technical Education College East, Northlight School and Raffles Institution have volunteered to pack the funpacks.

The funpacks will be distributed to students at the three National Education Shows as well as spectators at the NDP preview and NDP.

For more information on the funpack, visit ndp.org.sg.