Tusitala

Tusitala Tusitala is a digital storytelling studio that reimagines the future of reading where tech meets art We reimagine the future of reading where art meets tech.

Tusitala is a Singapore-based digital storytelling studio that produces creative projects that are interactive, fun, and meaningful. Our team of arts managers, designers and web developers work with partners on programmes, events, and social impact storytelling to inspire curiosity. Tusitala started in 2010 and is based in Singapore. It means “teller of tales” in Samoan. It was the nickname given

to author Robert Louis Stevenson by the locals of Samoa, where he spent the last years of his life telling stories. Our work embodies the essence of a storyteller: using different mediums and techniques to deliver a powerful message to audiences. Our logo is a kitsune, an enchanted nine-tailed fox native to East Asian folklore. A consummate storyteller, the kitsune casts spells of illusion and seduction, designing rich worlds that the victim sees, feels and perceives as real. Inspired by the kitsune’s intelligence, mischievousness, and ability to take on other forms, Tusitala’s values are knowledge, creative rebellion, and versatility.

✨ Concept and Process of ‘𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏’Inspired by the YA novel 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜, Ghosts an...
09/09/2025

✨ Concept and Process of ‘𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏’

Inspired by the YA novel 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜, Ghosts and Spells is a mobile-only microsite that explores talismans beyond superstition or plot device. Talismans (符 fú) are spiritual tools used in Taoist and folk religious traditions for protection, healing, exorcism, summoning deities, and even dream interpretation.

Our research traced their history - from the Eastern Han dynasty to early 20th-century manuals - and examined their structure, secret scripts, and ritual logic. Talismans act as material technologies, metaphors, and vessels of spiritual force, with each part carefully designed: head to invoke deities, body to state commands, gut to house spiritual presence, and legs to anchor divine power.

This informed our 101 introduction, essays, and interactive talisman generator, where users can select a spirit, trace a phrase, frame the spell, add a seal, and “activate” their own talisman, reflecting historical practice and narrative references from the novel.

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👀For more details, read the captions on each image.

📌 For highlights on the essays and creating your own talismans, be sure to check out our other posts!

🔗 Explore the microsite, 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏: [https://talisman.tusitala.sg]

💫 Concept & content by Tusitala | Novel by Xie Shi Min

Epigram Books

✏️The making of this project also gave us an opportunity to put together 2 essays about talismans.[2-5] ESSAY ONE:“𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭...
09/09/2025

✏️The making of this project also gave us an opportunity to put together 2 essays about talismans.

[2-5]
ESSAY ONE:
“𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲” by Xie Shi Min
A personal essay about Chinese calligraphy and talismanic research.

[6-9]
ESSAY TWO:
“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞” by Christine Chong
A playful dive into talismans as text, interface, and code.

Swipe to read quotes from each ➝

The interface of our microsite 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏 has been carefully designed for you to experience a somatic practice of intentionality while creating your very own talisman. Even if as unserious play, we hope these essays give you some context as you click around and explore.

📌 For the concept and process of this project, and to create your own talismans, be sure to check out our other posts!

🔗 Explore the microsite: [https://talisman.tusitala.sg]

💫 Concept & content by Tusitala | Novel by Xie Shi Min

Epigram Books

09/09/2025

✨Step into the world of talismans with 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬: 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟏, a mobile-only microsite companion to the YA novel 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜. This project was created to give users a deeper, interactive look at talismans - beyond superstition or plot device - exploring their cultural meanings, belief systems, and the energy they carry.

Discover how talismans act as writing that channels intention, protection, and spiritual power. Read our An Introduction guide, explore essays that examine talismans as text, ritual, and code, and see how words can become vessels of meaning and energy.

Then create your own talisman by following the traditional sequence: select the spirit, trace a phrase, house the spell, add a seal or signature, and activate.

Each talisman is uniquely powered by your intentions and the act of writing.
🔗 Explore now: [https://talisman.tusitala.sg]

💫 Concept & content by Tusitala .sg | Novel by Xie Shi Min

📚 Get 10% off 𝙂𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙚𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙜 at Epigram Books with code GHOSTHUNTERS

BYOA —> BYOX. Anyone, including non-designers, is warmly invited to bring your work to the coolest exhibition of at th...
06/08/2025

BYOA —> BYOX. Anyone, including non-designers, is warmly invited to bring your work to the coolest exhibition of at the Singapore Science Park. Link below to submit your work for a spot.

Thank you to for the invitation to be part of the REINVENTION programme at the for

*****
🦾 Open Call: BYOX

Show your work at Bring Your Own X, an exhibition responding to reassembly and disassembly as part of Singapore Design Week.

Inspired by Bring Your Own Beamer (BYOB) popularised by Anne De Vries and Rafael Rozendaal, BYOX envisions a dynamic exhibition shaped by interaction between visitors and the work. Designers and technologists are invited to submit plug-and-play, interactive installations using microcontrollers, sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, mixed reality and digital interfaces.

🗓 9–21 Sep 2025
📍1 Science Park Dr, Lobby 1, Singapore 119315

🕛 Submission Deadline: 13 Aug, 23:59 SGT
✉️ [email protected]

Organised by Yeo Ker Siang () 楊賀翔, co-curated by Rachel Poonsiriwong, produced by Chrispy Chong of Tusitala.

Register here: https://forms.gle/SBmGwsD4DJqNiR6L6

On 26 July 2025, the Potato Productions office space became a living canvas for 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿: 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, a one-n...
05/08/2025

On 26 July 2025, the Potato Productions office space became a living canvas for 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿: 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, a one-night event that brought together projection-based art, experimental media and creative community.

The evening began with Notes from Elsewhere, an artist sharing session where creatives offered glimpses into their recent overseas capability development programmes: Jake Tan (APE Camp, Seoul, Korea), Songyu Bao (Founding Lab, Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria), ⁠Chan Wan Kyn (Visions Residency, Fondation Fiminco, Paris, France), and Christine Chong (Cultivate, intangible, Bangkok, Thailand).

As night fell, the building transformed into an immersive, three-storey showcase of light and moving image. Visitors journeyed through real-time visuals, generative works and playful interventions by featured artists pushing the boundaries of Singapore’s creative tech scene. Each floor revealed a new take on projection and media art: reflective, curious, and alive with experimentation.

Organised by Jake Tan .co, curated by Rachel Poonsiriwong , and produced by Tusitala, this edition of BYOB embraced the spirit of accessibility and openness that the global movement stands for, bringing together real-time visuals, generative systems and new media pieces by artists and creatives in Singapore.

Sponsored by , Stage 4, NTU ADM,
Supported by Creative Tech SG

Bring Your Own Beamer: Currents is a one-night, invite-only media art experience celebrating projection-based works, gen...
14/07/2025

Bring Your Own Beamer: Currents is a one-night, invite-only media art experience celebrating projection-based works, generative systems, and creative experimentation.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025
🕓 Time: 7:30PM – 10:30PM
📍 Venue: 284 River Valley Road S238325

Please register for timed access: https://lu.ma/z5ccjdy6 (link in bio)

This edition features works by and many other creatives.

Organised by .co , curated by and produced by .sg

11/07/2025

Join us in playtesting 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴, a theatrical escape room experience by Tusitala and Artwave Studio. Inspired by Victor R. Ocampo's Book of Red Shadows, this is an escape game about how sound and music affects our states of consciousness.

We are looking for individuals and groups familiar with escape rooms and/or immersive theatre to help playtest the experience. 💪

📅 Playtesting will be held on 25 July 2025, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.
📍 Venue: 284 River Valley Road, S238325
👥 You may be grouped with others who sign up for the same session.
⏳ Please set aside 2 hours for the session: 50 min to play the game, and 50 min for us to collect your feedback.

🙋🏻‍♂️ Register now at https://tiny.cc/redshadowsrisingplaytest

How might we use technology to make reading resources accessible for visually impaired children?Last year, Tusitala laun...
02/07/2025

How might we use technology to make reading resources accessible for visually impaired children?

Last year, Tusitala launched a research project with support from DesignSingapore Council’s Good Design Research grant, collaborating with NAMIC Hub@SIT and iC2 PrepHouse.

Through user research with educators, parents, and children, we explored what makes tactile books truly engaging. Our designer, Foler Goh, found that most tactile books are handmade one-offs—hard to scale and often lacking enough tactile details.

That led us to redesign the books using 3D printing, simplifying shapes and focusing on what really matters to touch. We even adapted Braille Neue to create a reading experience for both sighted and visually impaired readers.

Our final prototype is an adaptation of Timmy and Tammy at the Botanic Gardens, featuring interchangeable plates for different literacy levels. World Scientific Education

Learn more about our journey and design insights here:
🔗 https://tusitala.sg/designing-books-for-visually-impaired-children-a-conversation-with-foler/

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Singapore Institute of Technology Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped

A MonoKucha with Janek Świerkowski. Artist, scientist, and cosmic thinker. One evening only. One idea: Designing the Inv...
23/04/2025

A MonoKucha with Janek Świerkowski. Artist, scientist, and cosmic thinker.
One evening only. One idea: Designing the Invisible.

In Designing the Invisible, he explores what it means to design with the unseen—drawing from quantum physics, cosmology, and the strange space between art and science.

RSVP via www.lu.ma/wo19gg92

🗓️ 25 April 2025
📍284 River Valley Rd, level 1, Singapore 238325
🎟️ Registration starts at 6:30 PM, MonoKucha runs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM latest.

Organised by Associates Network, Supported by Tusitala (RLS) Pte Ltd

10/02/2025

Tusitala and Artwave Studio are seeking an innovative ℙ𝕦𝕫𝕫𝕝𝕖 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕖𝕣 to create five engaging puzzles for a futuristic, immersive escape room centered on themes of sleep, sound, and technology. Inspired by 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 by Victor Ocampo, this experience blends digital storytelling, interactive technology, and theatrical elements to offer something beyond a traditional escape room.

What we’re creating:
- A thematic, story-driven experience rather than a conventional escape room
- Set in a research lab environment, with puzzles that integrate sound, AI, and IoT devices (e.g., smart lights, AI assistants, sound and movement sensors, etc.).
- Lightweight and modular—designed for easy setup and travel, avoiding reliance on a heavy set
- A highly collaborative project, combining art, technology, and interactive storytelling.

We’re looking for someone with:
- Experience in puzzle and game design
- Strong ability to create narrative-driven puzzles that align with the themes and setting
- Some familiarity with technology and how it can be used creatively in interactive experiences
- A willingness to experiment and push boundaries—we are not looking for escape room purists

Find out more at 🔗https://tusitala.sg/career/

Interested candidates, please send your applications in by 17 February (Mon) to [email protected]

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 was part of VERSE 2025 from 17–26 January 2025 at The Arts House at the Old Parliam...
06/02/2025

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 was part of VERSE 2025 from 17–26 January 2025 at The Arts House at the Old Parliament. Presented by Tusitala and 所谓工作室 Matter.Less, the experience was a fun and innovative way to experience Singaporean Chinese literary works through digital interactions.

It reimagined the act of reading literature as a shared, dynamic interaction – as playful and approachable as singing karaoke.

Karaoke Poetry invited two participants to read the work aloud while audience members used smartphones to engage with real-time prompts, fostering a communal and reflective engagement with the text.

The work featured was 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑟𝑑 by Cultural Medallion recipient Yeng Pway Ngon, a deep and fantastical exploration of identity and personal journeys. Participants explored the themes of emotional intimacy, communication, work and identity, and shifts in personal relationships – responding to the theme ‘Do You See Me?’.

Blending contemporary and fantastical elements, 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑟𝑑 is about a jobless man who forms a deep connection with a white bird he saves. In a surreal twist, he eventually transforms into a white bird himself.

As the story was read, audience members reflected on thought-provoking questions and responded in real-time:
1. “What do you do when you can’t communicate?”
2. “What do you think the husband is telling the bird?”
3. “What does the white bird symbolise?”

Here’s how participants described their experience:

𓅪 “This is a great way to connect with poetry. Reading it aloud gives another layer of emotions, compared to reading it on our own.” — Jasper, 35

𓅪 “It was fun! Very therapeutic to read together, and loved the audience interactions.” — A group of anonymous readers, 17 – 22 years old

𓅪 "This experience allowed me to put myself into the shoes of the characters.” — Timothy, 28

Read more at 🔗 https://tusitala.sg/work/karaoke-poetry-a-collective-reading/

Tusitala and Matterless were glad to have been part of VERSE 2025 – a celebration of Singapore literature and the opening chapter of The Arts House at The Old Parliament's year-long literary arts programmes, transforming words and stories into immersive, multi-sensory experiences.

城市書房 City Book Room

Tusitala and 所谓工作室 Matter.Less proudly present 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 at !Join us for a unique experience...
13/01/2025

Tusitala and 所谓工作室 Matter.Less proudly present 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆: 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 at !

Join us for a unique experience where Singaporean Chinese literature meets digital interaction. Immerse yourself in White Bird by Cultural Medallion recipient Yeng Pway Ngon—a captivating journey of identity and transformation, resonating with the theme of Light to Night 2025: “Do You See Me?”

🎙 In this dynamic reading, two participants perform aloud while the audience interacts in real-time via mobile prompts, creating a playful, karaoke-inspired communal experience. 🎶📖

🗓️ 17–19 & 24–26 Jan 2025
🕕 6.30pm – 9.30pm (Last entry 9.15pm)
📍 The Arts House at The Old Parliament, Print Gallery, Level 1
🎟️ Free Admission
Details: https://artshouselimited.sg/tah-verse-2025

Don’t miss this immersive, interactive event as part of Singapore Art Week and Light to Night Singapore! 🙌

Address

284 River Valley Road, #02/01
Singapore
238325

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