Designer Hans Tan is not only the founder of Hans Tan Studio, but he is also an associate professor at the Division of Industrial Design at NUS.Hans, whose father was an accountant, enjoyed working with numbers as well and had enrolled to study business. It seemed his future career was well on track — until a flyer on industrial design slipped out of a National University of Singapore prospectus that he had been browsing during his National Service.
His wise mentors were right. Today, Hans, who established his eponymous studio in 2005, is a three-time recipient of the President's Design Award, Singapore's highest design accolade. He not only guided students toward a deeper understanding of design's many facets, but he also taught them soft skills that extend beyond the classroom.