Yap Xuan Ling

Pocketful is a well-being app centred on collecting memories, not things. Inspired by the sentimental value people attach to small objects, the app offers a warm space for reflection and emotional connection.

Users can photograph meaningful items, tag emotions and write short memories, each saved in a digital pocket. Rather than focusing on productivity, Pocketful encourages users to slow down and appreciate moments of comfort, reflecting an interest in emotional design and memory-driven experiences.

BreadTalk Valentine’s Day Photography and Design

This project is a Valentine’s Day photography concept inspired by the brand BreadTalk. It was created as a personal photography and design project, where food, lighting and layout were explored to communicate emotion.

The goal was to capture the feeling of Valentine’s Day through three different BreadTalk food items, each representing a different mood of the celebration.

The first photograph features the pretty pink cake, representing celebration. The cake was positioned carefully to highlight its soft pink colour and clean layers. Using gentle lighting and a slightly angled composition, the cake becomes the main focus of the image while keeping the layout minimal and elegant. The soft tones and simple background helped to create a calm and romantic mood.

The second photograph focuses on two puddings. In order to create a feeling of warmth and indulgence, like a dessert that people would enjoy with someone they love, the puddings were photographed from a slightly lower angle to make them feel more present and inviting. Soft shadows and pink ribbon details were added to strengthen the Valentine’s atmosphere while giving the image a sense of comfort and sweetness.

The final photograph highlights BreadTalk’s well known pork floss buns. The buns were arranged into a heart shape to symbolise sharing and affection. The image was taken from a higher angle so the heart shape becomes clear and visually strong. A soft glow beneath the buns adds depth and warmth, while the message “Share a bite, Share your heart” connects the food with the emotion of Valentine’s Day.

Through this project, Xuan Ling explored how photography, composition and layout design can tell a story. By combining food styling, lighting and graphic elements, she aimed to create images that feel romantic, warm and emotionally engaging.

This project reflects Xuan Ling's creative approach as a designer who enjoys using colour, mood and visual storytelling to create designs that connect with people emotionally.

This project was a personal zine exploring the relationship between Xuan Ling and her mum through the idea of knots. Just like knots, relationships need care, patience and time to stay strong. Each knot represents the different moments, emotions and experiences shared over the years.

Rope was used as a visual symbol of their bond, with different knots tied to represent the connections in the relationship. After creating the knots physically, they were scanned and used as graphic elements in the zine. The knots were arranged to form the title “Mum and Me”, turning something simple into a meaningful visual story.

Through colour, texture and imagery, the zine weaves together memories of Xuan Ling and her mum, and includes photographs of small gifts given to one other and other objects that hold emotional value. These elements showed how everyday moments can become special memories.

Short messages and personal notes were also added to express appreciation and love for her mum. These words made the zine feel more intimate and heartfelt, allowing readers to understand the emotional connection behind the visuals.

This was Xuan Ling's first time creating a zine, and the process was both meaningful and rewarding. It allowed her to explore storytelling through design while reflecting on her relationship with her mum.

Knots of Connections is representative of her approach as a designer who likes using simple materials, textures and personal stories to communicate emotion and connection through visual design.