The brains Marcus Chiang, a 28- year-old Temasek Polytechnic alumnus, set up Designed In Singapore with support from Spring Singapore – a government agency dedicated to promoting Singapore’s economic growth – and Temasek Polytechnic. DIS is a design haven where seven in-house designers and a continually growing number of freelancers work to transform crazy ideas into real products. Their creations include a series of furniture made of tiles and mosaic, and an outdoor furniture set made with tempered glass. Chiang attributes his desire to launch DIS to one of his classes on cultural and design history. ‘Why is it that the Japanese are so supportive of their own creations and Singaporeans aren’t supportive of their own?’ he asks. 
The goods Everything sold at DIS is made in Singapore. While DIS designs anything from bags to chopsticks to furniture, they are produced in limited quantities, as the designers ‘don’t like the idea of too many people owning the same product’. Customers can visit the boutique showcase for ready-made products, or drop by and sit down with the designers for specially customised ideas. Prices for special orders range from $20- $2,000 (or more), depending on the material used and the time spent on its creation. Expect to wait two weeks for a customised bag and up to three months for a piece of furniture. Our picks Chiang calls it ‘a chair within a chair’; the signature chair named ‘Come, Take A Seat’ is an interesting take on space-saving and almost like a reversed way of stacking chairs. Like a sliding phone, the inner chair slides out whenever needed and stays hidden within the outer chair when fewer guests are around. To accompany this product, Chiang and his team are currently designing a dining table that can accommodate six to 12 people. 
Where to buy Designed In Singapore, 24 Mohamed Sultan Rd (6733 9954, www.designedinsingapore.com). Open daily 11am-8pm.