Judging Art x Tech 2023 at NUS 🎨🤖✨
I had the incredible opportunity to participate as a judge in the Art x Tech 2023 workshop at the National University of Singapore (NUS), organized by the James Dyson Foundation. This unique four-day event brought together 80 pre-university students with diverse backgrounds—some with no prior STEM experience—to explore the fascinating intersections of art, design, and technology through the lens of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics).
What is Art x Tech?
Art x Tech is designed to inspire new perspectives by blending creativity with technical problem-solving. Participants were challenged to design and build a robot capable of creating art—flinging paint or materials at a canvas to produce innovative artworks. These robots also needed to meet a functional requirement of traveling at least 20 cm to the painting zone.
The students further showcased their efforts through:
- Presentations explaining their design concepts and creative processes.
- Videos documenting their journey from inspiration to execution.
This blend of technical and creative deliverables made the event a vibrant exploration of STEAM principles.
The Judging Panel
I was honored to join a distinguished panel of judges, including:
- A/Prof Martin Buist (Vice Dean, Office of Undergraduate Programmes)
- A/Prof Thomas Kong (Deputy Head, Department of Architecture)
- Brennan (Space Faculty)
- Pin Da Tan (Robotics Research Engineer, Dyson)
We evaluated the projects based on the robots’ innovative designs, the creativity of the resulting artwork, and the quality of the students’ presentations and collaborations.
My Experience as a Judge
It was exhilarating to see the students’ ingenuity in action. Each team brought a unique perspective to the challenge, blending engineering principles with artistic flair. I was impressed by their ability to think critically and creatively, even under the tight timeline of the workshop.
What stood out most was their collaborative spirit—teams worked seamlessly to brainstorm ideas, solve technical issues, and refine their designs. Witnessing their presentations, I was inspired by the depth of thought they put into their robots’ mechanics and the artistic intent behind their designs. At the end of the workshop, I had the privilege of presenting participation certificates to the students, recognizing their hard work and dedication throughout the event.
Closing Reflections
After the judging, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on the event and motivate the students to pursue careers in robotics and engineering. Events like Art x Tech are vital for nurturing a generation of innovators who can think across disciplines.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Valery Chong for giving me the opportunity to be part of this inspiring event. It was a truly rewarding experience, and I look forward to seeing these bright minds continue to explore the intersections of art and technology in the future.