Beyond the Pitch: Capturing Singapore’s Football Spirit

Information

Ho Rui An, Joel is a Singapore-based graphic and communication designer and a recent graduate of LASALLE College of the Arts with a BA (Hons) in Design Communication. His work operates at the intersection of design and strategy, blending disciplines to craft solutions that bridge practice and research, from printed matter to digital experiences.

With a deep love for branding, print, and typography, his aesthetic merges minimalism with a distinct sense of gravitas. Naturally curious and strategically driven, he has a tendency to ask too many questions, a weakness for a well-set typeface, and a firm belief that the best ideas only reveal themselves after the tenth iteration.

When he is not in front of his computer, he can be found hunting down the best chicken rice in the city, nursing what is definitely not his fourth coffee of the day, or running @offthepost.store, his curated edit of vintage football jerseys for the discerning collector. He is always open to commissions, collaborations, and the occasional good conversation.

Education

LASALLE College of the Arts
(BA) Hons in Design Communication
2023—2026

Kingston University London
Graphic Design BA (Hons)
Exchange Programme
Jan—Apr 2025

Temasek Polytechnic
Diploma in Communication Design
with Merit
2017—2020

Experience

OuterEdit
Account Management Intern
May—Jun 2025

Fable
Junior Designer
Aug 2022—Jun 2023

Practice Theory
Design Intern
Jun—Oct 2019

ACRE Design
Studio Assistant
Feb—Apr 2017

Achievements

Indigo Design Award 2021
Book Design Category
“GOAL 2034”
Silver Medal

Convertium Pte Ltd
Communication Design
Course Award 2020
Bronze Medal

National Council of Social Service
Beyond the Label Youth Outreach Creative Initiative 2019
Gold Medal

WorldSkills Singapore 2018
Graphic Design Technology
Temasek Polytechnic School of Design Representative
Certificate of Participation

Temasek Polytechnic
Diploma+ Programme
Transcultural Studies
2017—2019

Temasek Polytechnic Director’s List
AY2017/18, AY2018/19

Work Features

Give Meaning to Data
Form_Flux_Futures Exhibition
National Design Centre
2024

Fine City
Echoes for Tomorrow Exhibition
LASALLE College of the Arts, Gallery 1
2024

Beyond the Pitch:
Capturing Singapore’s
Football Spirit
2024

As a football fanatic, my passion for the game often gravitates toward the world’s top leagues, leaving me with little familiarity with local football. The Singapore Premier League, in particular, is often criticized for its perceived lack of standards and low attendance, a sentiment I have shared at times. However, this project became an opportunity for me to confront these preconceptions and dive into the raw, unfiltered experience of local football culture.

In this series, I document my journey attending both a Singapore Premier League match and visiting the stadium on a non-matchday, capturing the essence of what it means to be a fan in this often overlooked community. This body of work is not just about the game on the pitch, but the shared moments, the hidden details, and the sense of belonging that unfolds in the stands. Through my right eye, I hope to invite viewers to see local football in a new light, celebrating its authenticity, its imperfections, and its undeniable heart.