Sound-absorbing panel design wins top award
KUALA LUMPUR: A partition with a sound-absorbing panel that can be adjusted to provide privacy or seamless work space and communication is the winner of the leading design competition organised by the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF).
The design, called HACXSTA, was the brainchild of 21-year-old Timothy Long Tianjie of Taylor’s University.
His work beat two other partition designs in the competition to honour top talent in the local furniture industry at MIFF 2019.
Dele by Noviaputri Wijaksana, an Indonesian student from The One Academy in Petaling Jaya, won second place while Treble & Divide by Yeap Wei Ting of KDU Penang University College took the third prize.
The competition, held since 2010, drew 218 entries from 20 design schools and private universities.
Two new awards were added this year, namely the Best Institution Award, which went to Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Vanessa Serbastian of KDU Penang University College was recognised as the Best Mentor.
MIFF 2019, organised by UBM Malaysia, is the 25th edition of the event. The Star Media Group is the media partner of the four-day fair, which ends today.
The third day of MIFF 2019 saw 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and the Putra World Trade Centre.
Johann & Joann Concept Sdn Bhd won the Bare Space Booth award while Wysen Industry Sdn Bhd clinched the top prize for the Shell Scheme Booth.
Kintex (KL) Sdn Bhd was named the Non-Furniture Booth winner.
At the event, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Wan Latiff Wan Musa said design was the game changer for all industries to sustain growth and further boost the economy.
“MIFF Furniture Design Competition is one of the platforms for local players to sharpen their talents to be recognised internationally for their innovative and creative designs,” he said.
He noted that Malaysia’s furniture exports amounted to RM9.83bil last year, with its products going to countries including the United States, Singapore, Japan, Australia and Britain.
“For the first time in January this year, exports of furniture were valued at RM942.7mil. We hope this will continue to grow,” he added.
Source : TheStar
