Affordable Art in Singapore: How a home 3D printer became Plook Plook Studio

A new wave of home-grown art and design stores is bringing creativity to everyday life. In this five-part series, speak to the founders behind these spaces on how they’re making art more accessible, engaging and alive.

“We create functional designs that you can play with”

Plook Plook Studio began with co-founder Benjamin Lim’s long-standing fascination with 3-D printing. When his sister gifted him an entry-level 3D printer last year, it reignited his passion and marked the start of a new creative journey.

In 2024, he and his partner Jodie Poh officially co-founded Plook Plook Studio, turning that curiosity into a full-fledged design brand. By day, Benjamin, 30, works as a research scientist, but he taught himself 3-D modelling and designed the Muffy Planter ($35), inspired by Jodie’s love for plants.

Unlike most planters, it features an hourglass shape, and a sleek built-in tray to catch run-off water.“Our vases are designed to nest neatly together – beautiful enough to display as standalone decor, yet practical to have on hand for the occasional bouquet,” says Benjamin.

The couple began selling their creations at pop-up markets, where the enthusiastic response encouraged them to expand into functional yet beautiful homeware. Today, their products are available online at Plookplook.studio and at Sojao, a bedding store in Joo Chiat.

For Benjamin and Jodie, 3-D printing offers the perfect medium to foster creativity and experimentation without the limitations of traditional manufacturing or minimum order quantities.

“Our latest creations – the Wiggly Pet Bowl and Mini Table ($72-$98) – have also been really well received,” says Jodie, 30, who works full-time as a speech therapist. “They’re playful in form, yet practical in function, and we love how they bring a touch of whimsy to everyday life.”

When we started, 3-D printing was still a relatively new concept in Singapore. There weren’t many examples of its feasibility, and even our parents were unsure. Many people around us were sceptical and didn’t take it seriously as a business idea. But we believed in our products, and thankfully, so did our customers.

There hasn’t been a single central influence behind our products. We draw inspiration from our surroundings, and from a shared desire to create aesthetic yet functional solutions to everyday problems.

We hope people notice the thought and care behind every design – its functionality, form, durability and beauty. One piece especially close to our hearts is the Pillars of Joo Chiat Art Lamp ($378), inspired by the Peranakan homes where Jodie grew up. With her Peranakan roots, we wanted to honour the neighbourhood’s vibrant architecture and cultural heritage.

Collaborating with local brands lets us design freely without the limits of high order quantities. We’ve worked with Postcard, New Bahru, Smeg, Oatside, Y21, and the National Heritage Board, turning their illustrations into functional merchandise.

We have several exciting collaborations in the works, including a project with a local artist to create movable functional art, a partnership with a footwear brand on custom shoe charms, and another with a lifestyle brand to develop a camping-inspired product.

Plook Plook Studio products are available at Sojao, 251 Joo Chiat Road.