Jonathan Biddle – Made in Taiwan

Month: September 2006

  • Grafitti in Taipei

    For me, Grafitti is not simply defacement of public property, but an intrisic part of urban culture – a reflection of the city, and a barometer for its political climate, sense of humour, tolerance and a thousand other things that people feel the need to express when paint hits wall.

    One of the things that I miss in Taipei is having this barometer. The kids simply do not seem to want to express themselves in the ways I am used to. However, it seems the times they are a-changing, and quality artwork is appearing on the streets. Moreover, it seems to have a style not completely borrowed from New York, London, Berlin or Melbourne – and is developing in a subtly Asian way.

    The highest quality work has been, without a doubt, the stencil work. Though not up to the standards of Banksy, it is pleasant, and infinitely preferable to visual pollution in the form of adverts, neon and the further commercial hijacking of our environment.


    Tree frogs appearing to brighten up the concrete


    Rather nice flowers – definitely asian style.

    Also, one of the things I really love, is the municipal stencil work – I just spent a few minutes looking for some photos – but these will have to wait for next time.

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Ups & Downs

    Certainly, one of the disadvantages of living an ‘international lifestyle’ is that the very freedoms that you arrived to seek are the ones that bite you in the ass. I have been here for getting on for two and half years – which is scary, just to write – and have made some incredible friends from all over the world. This is quite an achievement, I think, and something I am quite proud of.

    However, the aloofness we grant ourselves does mean that at regular intervals, friends do leave. Sadly for me, a series of good friends have left in quick succession, leaving me sitting here in PS rather at a loss on this Saturday night. It’s a pooey feeling.

    The flip side, of course, can be found in my blog posts from Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, where I find myself eating and drinking with people that I can really count as friends (or sisters!) in these amazing locations. And I can’t be too sad – here I am sitting drinking a beer, I recognise all the staff and know them by name, and one of the girls just put on a CD she likes – a compilation of songs I burnt for the Cafe.

    And hell. Next week I am in the Philippines. Blah!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • 2056 – Supermemo

    Yesterday, I passed rather a milestone – I have now learnt more than 2000 characters!

    I have not spoken a great deal about my learning Chinese, except for the occasional moments of frustration or amusing anecdotes. But, it does consume an enormous part of my free time here in Taiwan.

    Six hours tutoring after work each work – strategically placed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 o’clock – plus about four hours again at the weekend, have slowly but surely raised my Chinese skills to a level at which I could perhaps compete with a five year old. A very stupid five year old.

    I have been here for more than two years now and I can conclusivly say that learning Chinese has been the most difficult thing I have ever done. It is ridiculous. And I am positive that if if you were designing a language system, this would absolutely not be the way to do it. And yet… billions do. Amazing.

    The other weapon / toy in my armoury is my trusty Palm. I went for 18 months with my old Sony Clie, and recently upgraded to a much cooler Tungsten T3 – with Bluetooth and higher resolution. On this is a piece of software called Supermemo, and into this I place all my vocabulary, including that from the text books. It gives me daily tests and turns the tedious process of learning thousands of characters into something more akin to a computer game, its algorithm intelligently learning which characters I am good (or more likely bad) at. Some relentlessly return every day, and will be tested again in over two years time!

    So, every day over breakfast I am doing flashcards as I eat. Usually, I will have about 70 cards in total, but from the first book (about 950 words) I now get tested on about 10 per day – pretty cool. Furthermore, I have added almost 500 of my own characters – mainly related to work, design … bike, babes and beer.


    Palm T3


    The geek factor – but we all know how much we love stats in sports. Same here.


    An example flash card, showing the answer.

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Taking the Dog for a Walk

    No comment needed. Just a couple of inane photos from Taipei this weekend.


    “Rock is never die” – Paul’s awesome t-shirt


    Spotted near ShiDa University – taking the dog for a walk

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Construction Signs

    There are many things that mark one culture from another, but it is often in the small details that some of the most striking differences occur. Take construction site signs in Taiwan – cute, friendly and certainly with a heavy Japanese influence – a stark contrast to the clear, informative and authoritorian signs back in the West.


    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • This is Broken

    This is Broken have posted an entry from me! – the sign I took earlier this year while having dinner with Danny and Rich.

    My Louis Vuitton Dental Clinic post link.


    Still rockin

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Campo

    Taipei is fast discovering a hot grass roots design scene, and it is great to be involved in it. One of the things that I have been looking for of late is ‘Campo’ – a fashion and accessories market run by the young things, with live music and a party atmosphere. I went today – and discovered some rather nice gems.

    Link to Campo


    Hot Dog!


    The area – before the rain arrived


    I found some shoe repair people here – each ‘booth’ is seperated by a wall of laces, which is rather nice I think.

    Later on, I helped Rich n Nick at Keep move their store from the Breeze II centre back to their place. They are both in NZ at the moment, and really I should be there with them!


    The aftermath


    Keep Moving

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Andres

    I have finally got round to posting an entry about Andres – possibly the loudest person I have ever met, but somebody who became a great friend in his time here. He has now gone back to the US to continue study and prepare for stardom.

    A native of Columbia, he was never short of the most fascinating stories. His family owns the world’s second largest balloon factory and it was a source of constant amusement for Michael and I to tease ever more ridiculous stories. The most amazing one revolved around the eagles that frequented his grand father’s office – the population convinced they were the spirit of his grand mother.

    Anyway – some photos for y’all:


    Well dressed as ever


    Always the centre of attention – a night out with Marta and the Asus interns


    Andre and I visited a coffee shop themed around the humble Thomas Crapper – sadly, the concept was not very well implemented (so much more possibility!)… and the food, served in potties, was indeed, shit.

    Here’s to you Andres!

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…

  • Duck : Be Pure

    I haven’t put a post up in a little while, so i think it is worth getting it running again with a classic ‘Scooter English’ post. I should also point out that there is a large collection of other ones at the link here.


    Duck – Be Pure – 125 SP – To resist drugs and violence


    And while I am at it – it is essential to show this image from a recent trip to a waterfall in Wulai with Rich. In(s)ane.

    The story of a British Industrial Designer in Taiwan…