About
Who
PlayPause is Irwan Abu Bakar (Wan) & Khairin Nazeera Khamaruldin (Zee).
Wan picked up his basic designing skills at two of Singapore’s leading art schools but dropped out after being disillusioned with the grading system. He enhanced his software skills through DIY learning and currently is a full-time in-house Graphic Designer with a hospitality company in Singapore. He also dabbles in DJ-ing and VJ-ing from time to time.
Zee went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic and attained both Diploma in Information Technology (Computer Studies) (2001) and Advanced Diploma in Data Communications & Networking (2002). She got tired from working in the mainstream that she is striving to earn PlayPause their millions.
Why
PlayPause – the brainchild of a husband-wife design team, was set-up in mid-2005. The initial full-time freelance designers were working under the wings of Imran Ajmain, the Director of the HipHop independent label, Beats Society (Singapore).
PlayPause was given its breakthrough with the design conceptualization of Imran’s first single “Sudah tu Sudah”. PlayPause has continued to work alongside Beats Society and Imran Ajmain by designing various event posters/flyers and CD artwork; the latest being Imran Ajmain – Dengan Secara Kebetulan Deluxe Edition CD.
I think PlayPause kinda hit the big one with this design. I like it so much.
- Imran Ajmain on the design of his repackaged album, Dengan Secara Kebetulan.
When they were approached to design the flyer for Anuar Zain’s concert in Singapore, they were estatic!
What
The name PlayPause is inspired by the song title on the Disconnected album by Funkstorüng. It was the 4th year (July 2005) Wan & Zee had dated and he presented the CD as a gift to her. The word “PlayPause” is also heard in Chopping Heads, another song in the album.
Zee fell so in love with Funkstorüng and the word PlayPause that they adopted the name to fit them – Play; the interactive web works Zee manages, while Pause; the static graphics Wan creates.
PlayPause version 1 was launched on the 13th January 2008 on beats.sg/playpause- exactly 6years & 6months since Wan & Zee dated. PlayPause officially got their new home; playpause.sg on 22nd May 2008.
On their 20th month of being married, they launched the current layout; PlayPause version 2.
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