spotlight 17
World-Conquering
Young Malaysian Designers by Alexandra Wong Furnish Now writer
T
he realisation that innovation is the only way to move the industry forward, and that proactive talent building is the only way to generate innovation, is clearly evident from the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition (FDC).
MIFF FDC’s 2016’s crop of entries, demonstrated a global market readiness like never before, surpassing previous years’ entries. If we were to use MIFF FDC as a yardstick, young Malaysian designers are never short on patriotism. In all past competitions, contestants have always demonstrated a tendency to incorporate local elements into their designs. FDC 2016 was no different: a traditional yoyo, a local bamboo variant, and a dim sum basket all served as jumping-off points for the 10 finalists. There is one downside to this however: concern that the overemphasis on ethnicity might make designs too niche to appeal to the international market.
Which is why, jaws tightened with tension when, during the FDC judging session on 29th February 2016, Chief Judge Philip Yap began ominously, “When the press ask me what’s my view of this year’s entries, they always expect me to say it’s better than the last.” Those jaws landed with an audible (and relieved) thud on the floor at his next words: “I am confidently and proudly saying that this is better than the previous years. “
“ I am confidently and proudly
saying that this is better than the previous years.” - Mr. Philip Yap, Chief Judge, MIFF FDC 2016
The panel of judges unanimously agreed that the designs were well thought through, demonstrating imagination and creativity, as well as function – prompting Mr. Shinichi Mitsuki and Mr. Lu Ke Yan, judges from Japan and China respectively, to say that the quality of design surpassed what they had seen in their own countries. The biggest surprise, however, was the quality of presentation. Showing a maturity that surpassed previous years, all contestants took pains to compose clear storylines, delve into technical challenges and build clear positioning strategies. Clearly, they had a lot more than design on their minds. And perhaps that’s the way to move forward. JUNE 2016