In 1945, Malaya went back into the hands of the British, which led to a new fervor for nationalism. Graphic design that was developing in this new context attempted to show a more nationalistic undertaking, through its positioning of communications media and ideology of the nation. This period also saw a diversity of styles merging together while a process of acute filtration was being carried out. In the process of building a new national identity, unwanted imagery and symbolism (from internal and external factors) were deleted from all communications media. This period also saw an equal development between commercial communications and political propaganda; a visual and political struggle that continued until Malaya gained its independence.
Artifacts from the emergency period
Phillumeny: Kelantan Match Factory
– Title: Rain Proof Safety Matches Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Matchbox label Client: nil Publisher: Kelantan Match Factory Date: nil Dimensions:
Poster: Bright Future as a Police
1950s poster in Chinese persuading citizens to join the police force.
Magazine: Malayan Police Magazine
Merry Christmas from the 1952 Police Force of Malaya.
Poster: UMNO-MCA Election Manifesto
1952 UMNO-MCA Election manifesto. – Title: UMNO-MCA manifesto Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster Printer: Khee Meng Press, Kuala Lumpur Publisher: Chin Chee
Poster: Unity! Freedom! Justice! Equality!
Title: Unity! Freedom! Justice! Equality! Language: English & Chinese Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster Printer: The Economy Printers, Kuala Lumpur Publisher: The Economy Printers,
Poster: Freedom of Worship
1950s poster issued by Federation of Malaya Information Services on places of worship in Malaya. Main text on poster The Constitution of the Federation of
Book Cover: Kemanisan Bersuami Isteri
“Kemanisan Bersuami Isteri”, 1956 book on sex tips for married couples. – Title: Kemanisan Bersuami Isteri Language: Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Book Cover
Luggage Label : Station Hotel
Luggage Label for Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur – Title: Station Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Luggage Label Publisher: – Printer:
Movie Poster: Berdosa
A 1951 poster for "Berdosa" a movie by Shaw's Malay Film Productions, the birthplace of numerous classics and movie legends in the Malay cinema.
Magazine: Filmalaya
1954 Filmalaya, a magazine focusing on screen and theatre news. This October issue features Anne Bancroft and Robert Wagner. Edited by Donald Davies and published
Advertisement: Maclean Stomach Powder
1955 Straits Times advertisement for Maclean Stomach powder.
Advertisement: Mission Beverages
1955 Straits Times advertisement for Mission beverages, Singapore.
Advertisement: Hercules Bicycle
Hercules bicycle advertisement, Straits Times 1955.
Advertisement: Kepler
Kepler's Cod Liver Oil advertisement, Straits Times 1955.
Advertisement: Stillman’s Freckle Cream
Stillman's Freckle Cream, Straits Times 1955.
Advertisement: Westinghouse Air Conditioners
Westinghouse Air Conditioners, Straits Times 1955.
Advertisement: Technos, Swiss Watch
Technos watch advertisement, Straits Times 1955.
Advertisement: Carlsberg
Chinese New Year Advertisement for Carlsberg, Straits Times 1955.
Book Cover: New Method Malayan Readers
English text book for Standard 3 students.
Packaging: Rough Rider Cigarettes
Cigarettes "Rough Rider" by Malayan Tobacco Company.
Leaflet: Lust for Gold
1952 movie flyer for "Lust for Gold" showing in Rex theatre.
Label: Pine-Apple Cooling & Refreshing Drink
1940-50s Pine-apple Drink Label by Union Aerated Water Co, Ltd
Label: Orange Crush Drink
1940-50s Orange Crush Drink Label by Juan Jooi Loong A.W Factory, Ipoh
Label: Sarsaparilla Drink
1940-50s Sarsaparilla Drink Label by Juan Jooi Loong A.W Factory, Ipoh
Leaflet : I’ll get you for this
1952 movie flyer for "I'll Get You for This" showing at Rex Theatre, Andersen Road, Ipoh.
Newspaper : Freedom News Issue 01
An underground publication by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), title 'Freedom News'
Signage: White Area
A sign in Melacca dating from the emergency period in the 50s marking the edge of a ‘white’ or communist free area.
Title Graphic: Cathay-Keris Film
1953, Screenlogo featuring the Keris (Source) – Title: Cathay-Keris Film Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Screenlogo Client: – Publisher: nil Date: 1953 Dimensions:
Title Graphic: Malay Film Productions
1947, Screenlogo of Shaw's Malay Film Productions
Signage: Do Not Use Stick and Stones
Kinta Town Board from 1952
Invitation, Malaya 1951
An invitation by the Royal Air Force (Malaya) of their First Anniversary Dance, 1951.
Far East Buses: Bus Journeys Through Malaya in the 1950s by F.W York
Photographic trail takes the reader from Singapore to almost the most northerly point in what was then correctly called Malaya.
Book: Malayan Nursery Rhymes & Music
Haji's Book of Malayan Nursery Rhymes by A.W Hamilton. Book of nursery rhymes - offered in Malay and English. Illus. with wonderful color and
Poster: Passenger Train Service
Passenger Train Service. Issued by the Federated Malay States Railways, Kuala Lumpur. – Title: Passenger Train Service Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster
Advertisement: Malayan Railway
An advertisement of "The Malayan Railway". Issued by the Federated Malay States Railways, Kuala Lumpur.
Advertisement: The Malayan Railway
An advertisement of "The Malayan Railway". Issued by the Federated Malay States Railways, Kuala Lumpur.
Poster: Kawalan Makanan
Kawalan Makanan. Ingatlah hukuman kerana kesalahan memberi makanan kepada penjahat ialah hukuman bunuh!
Poster: The People’s Answer
The British offering rewards to capturing or killing of Communists also known as bandits.
Poster: Berkhidmatlah Kepada Tanah Air
A poster to persuade citizens to join the army. Illustrated by Hossein Enas at 1951
Poster: Askar Melayu Tenaga Malaya
A poster to persuade the citizens of Malaya to join the army.
Poster: Join the Malay Regiment!
(Source – National Archives of Malaysia*) – Title: Join The Malay Regiment! Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster Printer: Tiger Press, Singapore Publisher:
Poster: Masuklah Menjadi Ahli Pasukan Volunteer
(Source – National Archives of Malaysia*) – Title: Masuklah Menjadi Ahli Pasukan Volunteer Language: Jawi / Malay Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Poster Printer: Tiger
Phillumeny: Kelantan Match Factory
(Source) – Title: Kelantan Match Factory Language: English Designer: nil Type of Graphic: Matchbox label Client: nil Publisher: nil Date: nil Dimensions: nil Technique: nil
Administration Card: Radio Malaya
Color map of Malaysia, Radio Malaya, Singapore 4825 kHz Jan 3, 1949, 10 kW located at Jurong.
Shoulder Title: Malaya Worcestershire Regiment
During the Malaya Emergency in 1950-1953 the 1st Battalion of the regiment used this unofficial arm title on battledress. Embroidered in white stitching on a
Label: Malaya Publishing House
Malaya Publishing House, Ltd. 32mm dia., ca.1950 (Source – Courtesy of Ken Bosman, Pilchuck Books) – Title: Malaya Publishing House Language: English Designer: nil Type
Leaflet: 356, Former bandit leader Wahi Anuar broadcasts to all Malays still in the jungle
356, Former bandit leader Wahi Anuar broadcasts to all Malays still in the jungle. TO MALAYS STILL IN THE JUNGLE. Comrades of my race, today
Leaflet: 261, Save yourself now! Don’t hesitate!
Produced 22 September 1949. 250,000 printed in Chinese. 50,000 printed in Tamil.
Public Announcement: No. 1658C – $500 Reward
Leaflet 1658C depicts a hand holding a stack of the red 1 July 1941 "Board of Commissioners and Currency" $10 bills that were in use
Leaflet: No.103, Smash the Communist Party
Most theories on psychological warfare state clearly that depictions of dead or disfigured soldiers are contraindicated since it tends to make the enemy think that
