One netizen wrote on Facebook: “Let’s wait for the dragon to undergo plastic surgery by Yuan Day.”
However, some defended the dragon design, arguing that it just doesn’t look good from certain angles, and that it looks better when it’s lit up at night.
“Maybe[the design]was supposed to be in a quirky, interesting style,” a Facebook user wrote.
Another netizen said that designers can’t please everyone and called on those who can provide CNY decoration ideas to volunteer their time.
The dragon centerpiece was designed by 13 students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
This is the 13th year that SUTD and students have been involved in the light-up project.
In response to inquiries from The Straits Times, the design team said they were aware of the online comments and would work to improve them.
SUTD student Gan Bei Lu said:
“We take every bad comment as a learning point and use it to improve our next design.”
SUTD lecturer Zheng Kai, who guided the student designers, said: It is important to celebrate the team spirit of your students.
“I think it is never easy to work on a design as a team, but when a team comes together, complements each other, and is able to present a final product design that they can be proud of, it shows their teamwork, bond, and a testament to skill,” Dr. Zheng said. He said.
On January 19, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong kicked off the annual RMB celebrations with a streetlight lighting and opening ceremony at Crete Ayer Square.
He was joined by Jalan Besar GRC MPs including Minister of Communications and Information Josephine Teo, Mr Heng Chee Hau, Central Singapore District Mayor Dennis Puah and Dr Wan Rizal.
Festive lights will be turned on every night until March 9 at New Bridge Road, Yew Tong Seng Street, South Bridge Road and Upper Cross Street.