Stupid Doll from the Clever Mind Who says we don’t think with our "big toe" ? Yung Payungsak We go behind the scenes to talk to the young and talented creative director, Yung Payungsak, of the nation’s hottest and newest agency, Monday. He is taking a hiatus from his story boards and creating something new in his high rise condominium in the evenings – “Stupid doll from the clever mind”! The vagabond life “I was quite the nomad as a child, never settling down for long in one place. My family had a business in the sewing and garments industry and we would live in a building right next to the manufacturing. To put it frankly, I grew up in that building. When I went to study abroad, I rented an apartment as well. I tried living in a single house too but my weekends became occupied with mowing the lawns and doing my house chores. I guess living in a house and working in an ad agency didn’t blend too well together. I would come late from work on weekdays and I would be obliged to work on weekends too, so I quickly returned to my apartment living conditions. I strongly believe in personal space and my privacy and I guess living in a house with neighbors does not accommodate that lifestyle.” The Bird’s Eye View “Not only was I raised in a building, but every single office building or apartment that I have stayed in has been on the 16th, 18th, and 30th floors. My life was from high above and I loved every single minute of it! I was able to see things from another perspective. Whenever I felt bored or stressed, I would fixate my eyes to the far distance and feel a sense of relief.” My White House “This white house meant more to me than any room or bedroom because it comprised my entire home. People residing in condominiums prefer to decorate to the minimal but I attest otherwise. I feel that my home should be warm and not just a loft or office space. We spend more than 10 hours a day in our home so it is essential to have a good feeling when you come back home. I love the Victorian style furniture that looks white and cozy.” Stupid Doll – the living sock! “When my family was in the garment and textile businesses, every one of us was taught how to stitch and sew. You can say that my embroidering skills are excellent. I read in a book about making puppets and dolls from socks so I began making them for my friends. To my surprise, everyone loved them and said they were cute, in an odd kind of way.” (laughing) “All the characters came from the various meetings I have attended in the past. There have been numerous times when we sit at a client meeting and you contribute ideas and throw out suggestions that you feel are spectacular. But the comments and feedback that are given back make you feel like you have just said something stupid! So I decided to seriously invent the most brainless creation and that’s how I came up with the Stupid Doll.” “As time went by, I was having fun from making all these characters in my ‘Stupid Doll’ collection. I began brainstorming for more ideas, such as the logo, and also came up with a name – ‘Think-Toe-Head.’ The dolls were made from socks and the logo was an image of the big toe with a brain. So instead of being a hand made product, it was a foot made product!” Condo-based industry “Before I did any sewing or stitching on the socks, I would first sketch a drawing of a cartoon and create a story to go with it. Some of the characters were invented from real life people I meet or from cartoons I like. My favorites are Boo, Speed-Doll and the Snail, all which resemble my personality and lifestyle – slow and passive.” “My daily activities now consist of coming home, watching television and sitting down to sew my dolls. Before going to bed, I would sketch potential characters on my drawing board. I set a goal of finishing one ‘Stupid Doll’ every evening. I have now completed 20 dolls.” The cool winds made their way to this small white house and the sun’s rays shone lightly, illuminating a young man with this back turned against his computer. He is busy working and rummaging in his box of socks and stitching materials. In the meantime, there are 20 dolls neatly lined on sofa, quietly smiling. Sometimes what people call stupidity and intelligence can never clearly be differentiated.