Southeast Asian designers interpret the value of design through original works at EMERGE @ FIND 2024

“These Precious Things”:

The third edition of the showcase adds debut talents and recent graduates alongside the region’s seasoned designers

Clockwise from left: Among the works responding to the theme are the handmade Buah Labu Kecil Ceiling Lamp by Budiman Ong (Indonesia), RE-UP Tables by Paphop Wongpanich of Take Home Design (Thailand) made with reuse and recycling in mind, and the Valorem Chair by Phúc Vinh Đo Phong (Vietnam) that is shaped to help improve health and posture of users. Photos courtesy of respective designers.

Singapore, 26 August 2024 – Southeast Asian design showcase, EMERGE @ FIND, returns to Singapore Design Week 2024 with a provocation on the notion of value. Presented by the DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) and supported by FIND – Design Fair Asia, this year’s showcase will feature more than 60 designers, and for the first time recent design graduates, from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam who will unveil their works across 1,000 sqm of space at Marina Bay Sands from 26 to 28 September 2024.

New to the third edition, EMERGE @ FIND is partnering online gallery The Artling to expand commercialisation opportunities, with over 100 works expected to be for sale on the platform, connecting designers with The Artling's extensive network of buyers and collectors. Visitors can browse and purchase the collection on The Artling from 13 September 2024.


Redefining the meaning of ‘Value’

Returning curator of EMERGE @ FIND, Suzy Annetta, frames this year's showcase under the theme "These Precious Things", posing the fundamental challenge: “Do we really need more?” The curatorial provocation opens up a critical examination of the concept of value in an era of excess and environmental urgency.

“I am honoured to curate the EMERGE showcase again in 2024. This year, we are probing the very essence of value – its definition, arbiters, metrics, and potential evolution. It's an exploration to question the core purpose of design in our contemporary world,” said Annetta. “I'm particularly excited for visitors to experience these thought-provoking works firsthand.”

In response to the curatorial brief, designers’ works span a spectrum from bold concepts to functional innovations, united by a common thread of questioning established value systems.

The distinctive curatorial approach of EMERGE @ FIND will add a unique dimension and enhance the offerings of FIND, a premier trade show and design fair in Southeast Asia that attracts interior designers, architects, developers, hospitality professionals, and design enthusiasts seeking to discover groundbreaking talent and commercially viable design solutions.

Carl Press, Event Director, FIND – Design Fair Asia said, "We are thrilled to host an exceptional array of talented designers presenting at EMERGE as part of FIND this year. We are particularly keen to see how designers interpret the highly-contested notion of value, witness this sociological debate unfold and be presented at the empirical level. The innovation, diversity, and unique artistry on display shows there is so much to look forward to in Asia."

From left: Ivan Ho of Timuzuka (Singapore) juxtaposes conventional parts with waste materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces; Emeline Ong (Singapore) meticulously layers blended paper pulp and plaster using a distinctive casting process to transform discarded paper into monolithic tables.

Photos courtesy of respective designers.

Design Value

The importance of sustainability and material innovation takes centrestage for Singapore designers Ivan Ho of Tizumuka and Emeline Ong in their debut at EMERGE @ FIND. Ho, marks his first appearance with the Parasitic collection which transforms waste into objects of desire, offering “a critical social commentary about the need to look beyond superficial appearances.” Ong, who graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design from the National University of Singapore, showcases The Pastille Collection where she gives new life to discarded paper in the form of her brother's old school notes, aiming to "foster a greater appreciation for the lasting value and potential of overlooked and discarded materials."

From left: Khanh Linh Phan (Vietnam) reimagines crochet in contemporary lighting design, revitalising traditional craft techniques through modern applications; Mohd Sujak Hasbollah (Malaysia) pays homage to traditional woodworking methods by incorporating wooden nails as a defining design characteristic.

Photos courtesy of respective designers.

In a rapidly evolving region, culture and traditions remain deeply cherished. Revival and reimagining of tradition in contemporary contexts underpins many works this year. Emerging Vietnamese designer Khanh Linh Phan, who graduated in 2023 from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City, brings a new perspective to the time-honoured crochet technique to create LUCIA, a collection of innovative lighting pieces, while Malaysian designer Mohd Sujak Hasbollah elevates pasak, an ancient woodworking method using wooden nails as a defining feature of his chair named Lokka. Both designers not only preserve traditional artisanal skills, they challenge perceptions of value in modern design, seamlessly blending heritage craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Among the returning alumni of EMERGE @ FIND are furniture designer Alvin Tjitrowirjo of alvinT (Indonesia), industrial designer Selena Placino (Philippines), and Apiwat Chitapanya of Masaya (Thailand). The trio reveal the enduring significance of their pieces in the harmonious blending of cultural preservation, sustainability and traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Through their own interpretation of the value of design, Tjitrowirjo reimagines traditional materials like rattan in modern forms; Placino transforms wood waste into elegant lighting; and Chitapanya presents furniture fashioned from brass, a homage to ancient Thai craftsmanship.

“The value of an object should transcend mere monetary worth; it should encompass the spiritual and emotional connections it fosters,” said Tjitrowirjo who strives to reintegrate the respect for nature into people’s lives.

From left: Alvin Tjitrowirjo from Indonesia melds rattan with modern forms in a tribute shelf; Selena Placino (Philippines) transforms wood off-cuts into the elegant Rebound lighting collection; Apiwat Chitapanya (Thailand) showcases the intricate Thai craftsmanship with the brass Arowana Bench.

Photos courtesy of respective designers.

“Leveraging Singapore’s role as a gateway to Southeast Asia, EMERGE @ FIND will unite established and emerging designers from the region to explore how to enhance value and sustainability through design. This showcase presents exceptional objects to a wider audience, and cultivates crucial dialogues and connections. As the organiser of Singapore Design Week, we are proud to offer this platform as a key event within our festival that elevates regional creativity globally,” said Dawn Lim, Executive Director of Dsg.

Admission to EMERGE @ FIND is complimentary, with pre-registration available until 26 September 2024. An admission fee of S$39 will apply for on-site registration.

For full list of designers at EMERGE @ FIND 2024, refer to Annex A.

For full designer biographies, visit designfairasia.com.

EMERGE @ FIND
26 to 28 September 2024
10.00am to 6.00pm
Marina Bay Sands
Level B2, Sands Expo and Convention Centre
designfairasia.com




About FIND – Design Fair Asia

FIND – Design Fair Asia is a joint venture between dmg events (organisers of INDEX, HiDesign etc) and Fiera Milano (leader in Italy and one of the main integrated operators worldwide in the exhibition and congress industry). It is a combination trade show and design fair, offering a carefully curated selection of furniture, interiors and design brands. A key event of the Singapore Design Week (organised by DesignSingapore Council) acts as a stimulating marketplace connecting leading suppliers across furniture, lighting, décor, textiles, design technology, home K&B and surface materials with retail buyers, residential and commercial property developers, architects, hospitality professionals, interior designers, high-net-worth individuals and Asia-based FF&E contractors.

With key stakeholders such as DesignSingapore Council, numerous regional partner associations and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), FIND is to return to the iconic Marina Bay Sands with extended event offerings on over 17000 sqm, 300 international brands, VIP buyer program and exciting on-site initiatives.

designfairasia.com


About Singapore Design Week

One of Asia’s premier design festivals, Singapore Design Week (SDW) celebrates Singapore’s distinctive brand of creativity, exploring design through three defining festival pillars: Design Futures (the design of the future and the future of design), Design Marketplace (lifestyle trends with a spotlight on Southeast Asia) and Design Impact (innovative solutions for a better world). Organised by DesignSingapore Council, SDW is a celebration of creativity and innovation, championing thought leadership and showcasing the best of design from Singapore and beyond.
sdw.sg


About the DesignSingapore Council

The DesignSingapore Council’s (Dsg's) vision is for Singapore to be an innovation-driven economy and a loveable city by design. As the national agency that promotes design, our mission is to develop the design sector, help Singapore use design for innovation and growth, and make life better in this UNESCO Creative City of Design. Dsg is a subsidiary of the Singapore Economic Development Board.

designsingapore.org

Dennis She

dennis@craftc.com


DesignSingapore Council

Pearlyn Cheu

Manager
Marketing Communications

pearlyn_cheu@designsingapore.org

Serene Lim

Assistant Director
Marketing Communications

serene_lim@designsingapore.org

Annex A: List Of Designers at EMERGE @ FIND 2024

In alphabetical order



INDONESIA

Abie Abdillah, CB Design — Studiohiji

Helmed by designer Abie Abdillah, STUDIOHIJI is a Jakarta-based design studio that creates contemporary rattan furniture. Through the contemporary form and curves of his designs, Abie aims to renew consumer interest in rattan, and in so doing, contribute to the preservation of the rattan industry. His works have been exhibited in various showcases such as the ASIAN STAR SHOWCASE at the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2014 and MAISON&OBJET ASIA 2015.




Alvin Tjitrowirjo — AlvinT

Founded in 2006, alvinT is a Jakarta-based furniture brand started by Alvin Tjitrowirjo that amalgamates Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and artisanal approach with contemporary sensibilities. All of their products are handmade by skilled local artisans, reflecting their belief in delivering honest products that inspire genuine engagement, transcending the tethers of trend and time. alvinT's furniture collections have been exhibited in various international exhibitions such as Milan Design Week, Stockholm Furniture Fair, Paris’s Maison et Objet, Tokyo’s Designart, and NYC Design Week.




Budiman Ong — Ong Cen Kuang

Budiman was born and raised in North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a graduate of Gray’s School of Art, United Kingdom. Ong Cen Kuang was created in May 2008, focusing on quality handmade decorative lightings, producing a strong collection of unique pieces that reflects Budiman’s design principles that respect process and characters of materials. In 2020, Budiman together with two of his friends Rudi Winata and Yang yang Hartono founded Jia by OCK, a Bali based home accessories brand revolves around craft, design, and culture. Their priority is to build and sustain a healthy ecosystem of creative communities in Indonesia.




Clarissa Nilistiani, Theresya Tan — Lana Daya

An ethical home textiles label, lana daya home, is established by young designers, Clarissa Nilistiani and Theresya Tan, graduates of Nottingham Trent university, United Kingdom. The story behind the name of "lana daya" was inspired by Indonesian gardens; a place born out of the marriage between nature and human culture. It symbolises a vessel of craftsmanship in which a purposeful design should be inspired and nurtured back from our nature.




Denny Priyatna — AIEVL Design Studio

Denny R. Priyatna is an Indonesian industrial/product designer who likes to explore the interaction between humans and inanimate objects. He experiments with materials and manufacturing techniques to create commercial, conceptual, and experimental products.


Felix Sidharta — Cassia Studio

CASSIA Studio focuses on product and interior design for both commercial and living spaces. Engaging people through design is the foundation of their design philosophy. They strongly believe each object reflects the personality of one’s character. This inspires them to explore more on shapes, textures, materials, and function. Boundless of age, gender, and race, they strive to create objects that can be imprinted on one’s heart, where form and function go hand in hand, with colliding artistic feels.


Hana Surya — Threadapeutic

Threadwork has always been a source of therapy for Hana, who learned to sew from her seamstress mother as a young girl. In 2015, her discovery of the wasteful culture in fast fashion led her to start a textile studio with a focus on conscious production. Her team of local seamsters experiment with fabric offcuts and deadstock, creating one-off textile pieces for clients and architects. Hana hopes to inspire fellow makers to discover new potentials in “unwanted” materials around them.

Handhyanto Hardian — studiohand

Handhyanto Hardian is a product designer based in Jakarta, Indonesia. With a career in furniture and interior design for over 10 years, his expertise in the field of furniture design has resulted in innovative works that won various Indonesian furniture design competitions. He is also a finalist in the Rosana Orlandi Plastic Prize and Good Design Indonesia. His works have been exhibited in national and international design shows, promoting a new perspective on Indonesian design. His design characteristic focuses on new materials, involving local craftsmen to explore Indonesian traditional craftsmanship, which is presented in a simple form.


Hendro Hadinata — Studio Hendro Hadinata

Studio Hendro Hadinata, founded in 2016, is a creative studio that combines cultural heritage with explorative innovation. By ingraining contextual narratives into objects, the studio believes that cultural heritage and skills from the past are the keys to shape a cultural future.


Nikko Wonoto

Nikko is a furniture and product designer from Indonesia.



Vincentius Aldi Masella — Owalla

Vincentius Aldi Masella is an Indonesian Designer who studied Interior Design at Sepuluh Nopember Institut of Technology Surabaya, Indonesia. Vincent started off as an interior designer designing furniture, lighting, and rugs. Vincent has collaborated with many brands from Indonesia, Spain, and India, as well as partners such as the Indonesian Design and Development Center (Ministry of Industry and Trade Indonesia). Currently, Vincent is mentoring furniture designers in Malaysia with Sarawak Design Centre Malaysia. Together with Sarawak Design Centre, Vincent also organised Sarawak Design Week 2022.


Zulyo Kumara — Zulyo Kumara Studio

Zulyo graduated from the Indonesian Institute of The Art, Yogyakarta and completed a short course at Istituto Marangoni in Milan. He previously worked for AlvinT, Elenbee Cipta Design and collaborated with product & furniture brands. His own works have won various competitions and have been exhibited internationally. In 2018, Zulyo was selected as one of the Creative Talents, representing Indonesia, at Salone del Mobile Milano 2018.

MALAYSIA


Jovern Kang — Empt Studio

Jovern Kang is the Co-founder of Empt Studio, an interior architecture design practice based in Penang, Malaysia. Through his practice, the core vision is to create sensible designs with a holistic approach.


Lucas Eng — Balak's

Lucas Eng is the founder of BALAK's. Behind BALAK's is a group of kids from the foot of the mountain in Penang, Malaysia. This is where they grow, live, and dream. They also engineer quality wood into functional masterpieces to bring nature and ultimate comfort into workspaces.


Mohd Sujak Hasbollah — Sujak Studio

As someone with over 13 years of experience in the design industry, Mohd Sujak Hasbollah has developed a strong skill set and knowledge base in design development and commercialisation. He had the opportunity to showcase his work at prestigious design events worldwide, including Salone Del Mobile in Milan, INDEX in Dubai, and IFFS in Singapore. Throughout his career, he has travelled to more than 10 countries to exhibit his work, attend conferences, and pitch business ideas.


Shahril Faisal— Shahril Faisal Design

Shahril Faisal’s passion for creativity and creation led him to pursue a degree in industrial design from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. In 2014, the Malaysian designer founded Shahril Faisal Design Studio. As a multi award-winning designer, his works have been exhibited in furniture fairs, art installation and galleries across Kuala Lumpur, Milan, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore, Melbourne.


Vui Leong Kho — Dad's Woods

An architecture graduate, Vui Leong Kho started working with DAD'S WOODS in 2022 and has since assisted in producing and designing a few collections and overseeing many client projects. The Archipelago collection is the first collection where Vui Leong is taking charge of the design lead.


Wei Ming Tan — Aureole Design

Wei Ming Tan is a typography major from the United Kingdom and practiced as a graphic designer for a couple of years after returning to Kuala Lumpur. Her passion for furniture and lighting design spurred her to explore beyond the two-dimensional. She collaborates mostly with makers in her design production, understanding the characteristics of materials and production techniques, which contributes to an important aspect of her design development and process. Her approach to design is within the context of simplicity—be it in the purity of lines or the unadorned elegance of a material.


Wei Ming Tan, Xin Dean Chong — Sputnik Forest

Sputnik Forest Labs is a multidisciplinary design studio founded in Penang, Malaysia. They tailor make interior & exterior spaces into expressions of atmospheric visual arts.





PHILLIPINES


Chini Lichangco — Chini studio

Chini Lichangco graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from De Lasalle College of Saint Benilde. After receiving her degree, Kenneth Cobonpue, a world-renowned designer, employed her to work as a designer in Cebu where she gained a deeper understanding of material behaviours and design principles. When she started exploring different materials, she learned how to appreciate the beauty of nature and used it as inspiration for original and unique designs. As she develops her concepts, this designer is interested in experimenting with diverse materials.


Edward Sibunga — e/lou

Edward is an upcoming furniture designer who started his design career immediately after holding a degree in Industrial Design. His designs were recognised in multiple furniture design competitions locally during the very early days of his career and he also became a design talent for a government organisation, undergoing design training by renowned Filipino designers and manufacturers which lead to showcases in local trade shows. To further polish his learning and techniques, he now runs his own studio as a designer/maker focusing on woodworking. His designs are known for a mix of simple straightforward forms and intricate handmade wood joinery.


Jasser Aguila — Jasser

Jasser Aguila graduated from De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. After his studies, he went under an apprenticeship and worked under the world-renowned furniture designer, Kenneth Cobonpue in the island of Cebu. During his time in Cebu, he gained expertise working on international projects and with international designers to develop and produce a range of products, including home décor and sculptures. The world's unrestricted and constantly evolving nature serves as an inspiration to Jasser Aguila. Using his experience, he hopes to abstractly represent the notions of objects that are influenced by different stories, real people and everyday scenarios.


Lilianna Manahan — Lilianna Manahan

Lilianna Manahan finished her Foundation Studies in Art and Design at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design in 2004 and completed her BFA Industrial Design degree at the University of the Philippines. She later on worked with Kenneth Cobonpue as part of his research and design team. In 2012, Lilianna began her own design practice under her own name, Lilianna Manahan and was awarded as one of the six Rising Asian Talents at the first Maison et Objets Asia in 2014. The study of process to highlight a craft and craftsman runs central in her work. In the past, her work had a range of materials but now, she is focusing on metal, stone, and ceramic, sometimes doing the finishes herself.


Rita Nazareno, Gabby Lichauco — NAZARENO/LICHAUCO

Designers Rita Nazareno and Gabriel Lichauco have been collaborating on projects since 2016: curating collections, mentoring designers, and developing new product designs and concepts for numerous brands. Their work has highlighted contemporaneity and innovation in traditional craft and materials. They curated the 2019 Philippine participation at Maison et Objet Paris under Kindred Design Collective for Citem’s Design Philippines and have since done the creative direction for Maison et Objet from 2020 to 2022. They also curated the 2020 design exhibition ITIM: Material Manipulations in Black.


Selena Placino — Selena Placino

Selena Placino is an industrial designer who believes that good design can make a difference in people's lives. Her object explorations range from furniture to consumer goods. She is always on the lookout for new materials and technologies to incorporate into her designs, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Finding opportunities to inject interactive and cultural elements into her creations, Selena has designed products that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.


SINGAPORE

Cindy Evangeline

Approaching design as poetic reinterpretations of reality, Cindy develops her aesthetic sensibilities through intimate observations of the world around her, with her lens spanning across Singapore, Paris and Jakarta. Coupling her reverence for craft with her contemporary practice, she takes on the role of the modern artisan, where her creations thrive between the boundaries of art and design.


Crystal Lee — Project Coal

Crystal Lee (b. 1993) is an artist & natural dyer based in Singapore. She graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts in 2013 with a diploma in fine arts. In the summer of 2014, she spent time in England experimenting with the art of natural dyeing. Her interest in the craft was further deepened by a workshop in London, which exposed her to the alchemy of natural dyeing & several dyeing techniques. Her artistic practice is influenced by her deep appreciation for colours & textures of the natural world as well as the rich culture & rituals of Southeast Asia.


Cynthia Chan

Cynthia deeply believes design is the bridge that forms a relation and connection between people. Her design practice is based on finding inspiration in everyday experiences — conversations, objects and places. Cynthia’s interests lie in Exploratory, Experience and Graphic Design.


David Lee — I Am Not David Lee Studio

Drawing on his interest in both art and design, David Lee’s practice regularly delves into the grey areas between the two disciplines. His works seeks to explore the untapped potential of familiar materials, encouraging them to behave in unfamiliar ways. ​This often requires ​disregarding conventional practice in art & design and ​introducing a dose of chaos into what are typically very structured processes. To him, experiment is an essential element in the creative process, and one that he relies on to transcend the limits of imagination. David Lee has established a career as an artist and designer. ​He has also completed his solo exhibition and several commissions ​for ​private collectors and spaces.


E Ian Siew

E Ian is a versatile designer with a strong passion for problem-solving. He challenges conventional designs of ordinary objects to create exceptional experiences that benefit a diverse audience, focusing on impactful and holistic solutions that transcend mere aesthetics. With a particular interest in healthcare innovation, E Ian is mindful of the positive impact design can have on society and remains committed to creating designs that uplift and improve the lives of those in need. His interest and works in this field have gained recognition from international awards such as the James Dyson Award, iF Design, and Red Dot Award. He is currently pursuing a PhD at NUS, under the Division of Industrial Design.


Elaine Wong

Elaine is a designer who enjoys seeking hidden insights and nuances in her surrounds and everyday interactions. Through play and exploration and an appetite for the unexpected, she lets the unique experiences & characteristics of various materials guide her creative process. Inspired by the cosmos and nature, Elaine creates designs that balance functionality with emotional resonance, reflecting her deep empathy for the user experience. Forever propelled by a sense of wonderment, she creates evocative solutions that not only respond to challenges but also captivate and ignite the imagination of those who encounter her work. Much of Elaine work relies on the concept of the ‘phenomenon space’. To her, this is where she finds meaning in creating and designing.


Emeline Ong

Emeline views the world with a sense of whimsy and playfulness, merging wonder with practicality through experimentation and intuition. This year, she presents The Pastille Collection: a series of monolithic tables that combine femininity and rawness, with a language that celebrates craftsmanship and the intricacies of the construction process.


Faezah Shaharuddin — Studio Kallang

Faezah Shaharuddin is a multi-disciplinary designer and founder of Studio Kallang, whose work explores nostalgia and cultural nuance, primarily through furniture and object design. Her objects are inspired by personal memories of living between Singapore and the United States. Formally trained at the University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design in Seattle, Washington, her work has been featured in Monocle, FEMALE, Vogue, L'Officiel, and House & Garden. She also designed custom pieces for Diptyque and Charles and Keith, while Studio Kallang’s pieces have been shipped to clients worldwide via stockists such as SSENSE, 1stDibs, and Singulart.



Frank Quek, Qiuyu Zhao— Calybraid

Calybraid is a Singapore based art and design studio founded in 2022 and is directed by Laura Qiuyu Zhao and Frank Yu-Hong Quek. The practice's current portfolio includes private residential architecture, bespoke interiors, furniture and objects. Their design approach takes inspiration from both computational and traditional design techniques to craft bold spatial atmospheres and new aesthetic sensibilities.


Genevieve Ang, Georgina Foo — Gin&G

Imbuing beauty and meaning to the spaces we dwell and inhabit in the fields of industrial design, residential dwellings, and commercial interiors. Vested in the art of storytelling through Space, the studio is opportunistic of every opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of each project through the creation of experimental artworks and design objects.


Ivan Ho — Tizumuka

Ivan Ho is the founder of tizumuka, an award-winning design studio based in Singapore. Established in 2012, the studio's projects are conceived around investigative studies and artisanal craftsmanship. Before his involvement in creative academia, Ivan has acquired experience in both interior furnishing and visual arts industry. Ivan takes a keen interest in education with consistent involvement in course facilitation, pedagogy development and more importantly, how we can collectively revolutionise learning methodologies in design education.


Karyn Lim — Studio Karyn Lim

Karyn Lim is trained in industrial design with a focus on furniture, lifestyle objects and craft. Her approach is conscious and collaborative. Karyn has worked under the mentorship of renowned designers Erwan Bouroullec and Sabine Marcelis, and has designed for international brands including Marsotto, La Prairie, Samsung, and Zanotta. She manages communications at furniture brand IndustryPlus, and teaches design at the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), Nanyang Technological University (NTU).


Lin Qiuxia

Graduating from the Division of Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore, Lin Qiuxia is a skilled UI/UX designer at an international firm. Her passion for human culture and user interaction drives her to explore various design fields, infusing her work with a rich understanding of user needs. Lin's diverse expertise enables her to create innovative solutions that enhance users' daily lives.


Owen (Yih Ming) Kok — Super Donut Studio

With his passion and drive, Yih Ming started his long journey to change the world by creating Super Donut Studio.


Tiffany Loy

Tiffany Loy is a Singaporean artist trained in industrial design in Singapore and textile-weaving in Kyoto. Loy graduated from the Royal College of Art with a MA in Textiles, specialising in weaving, and was a recipient of the DesignSingapore Scholarship. Since the founding of her studio in 2014, Loy’s experimental works have been exhibited internationally at venues such as Singapore Art Museum, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, and La Triennale di Milano. Loy’s background in product and textile design has led to her unique approach in creating materials with minute details, while keeping in mind their overall impact in the larger, spatial context.


Wei Xiang Tan

Wei Xiang graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts, Spatial and Product Design BA (hons) with First Class Honours in September 2017. Upon graduation, Wei Xiang worked as a carpenter, making furniture from trees grown specifically in Singapore. He worked with various species such as African Mahogany, Rain tree and Tembusu tree, which were given a second life amidst Singapore's rapid land development. Currently, Wei Xiang is working as a Design Modeller at Dyson.


THAILAND

Apiwat Chitapanya — MASAYA

Apiwat graduated with a M.A. in Applied Art at Silpakorn University, Thailand. To create furniture that goes beyond functionality by blending art and design, she integrates beauty and artistic aesthetics into her furniture. Using metal as the main material for its robust features and suitability for internal and external use, Apiwat transforms them into surreal, unique, and unusual furniture, adding a sense of fantasy for users and audiences, making the furniture more valuable, akin to a piece of art.


Decha Archjananun, Ploypan Theerachai — THINKK Studio

THINKK Studio was founded by Decha Archjananun and Ploypan Theerachai. Their comprehension of design concepts has harmonised research and experiments with an element of fun and creativity. THINKK Studio began as a duo act and has grown into a team of ten young designers with different talents and fortes. The studio often provides consultations for local entrepreneurs and communities via government programmes such as The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT), Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC), and Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP). They have also spearheaded the formation of a Thai new blood designer group, the Design PLANT, since 2013.


Khanittha Nualtaranee

Khanittha Nualtaranee is a woven textile designer and artist who graduated from Aalto University, (School of Art, Design and Architecture), Helsinki, Finland in 2012.


Paphop Wongpanich — Take Home Design

Paphop Wongpanich was born in 1979, Thailand. He is an interior design graduate from King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Landkrabang who has accidentally fallen in love with product design and chosen it as his career. With his interior design sense, every piece of his products comes simple in form yet sophisticated details which gradually you will feel the sense of its passion.


Piboon Amornjiraporn — Plural Designs

Plural Designs is a multi-disciplinary design studio. With a background in architectural design, they have expanded their experience into furniture design and product customisation. Products from Plural Designs have unique stories, designs, and making techniques. They feature a combination of different materials that reflect the diversity of urban lifestyles, with simple and unique ideas that communicate with users and create a story within the space. Since 2016, they have been working with the craft community across Thailand to develop craft products for the community, alongside their art installation and exhibition projects that connect architectural design approaches with natural materials and handmade processes.


Pim Sudhikam

Pim graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Design from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, and Master of Fine Arts from Gothenburg University, Sweden. Over the last 18 years, Pim has been working with clay as the main medium, investigating pottery in terms of material and process. Her works include collections of object, sculpture, and large-scale, site-specific installation. She has taken part in exhibitions in Thailand and abroad. Pim is now running her studio called Linnua Studio and works as Assistant Professor at Chulalongkorn University.


Raweewan Rangseethanasak

Raweewan Rangseethanasak, known as Hong, is a recent graduate in Industrial Design from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. During her studies, she developed a keen interest in material art, particularly ceramics. For her Senior Project, titled "At That Time," Hong delved into the realm of ceramic art, focusing on a special glaze called Gloop Glaze. This project aimed to highlight the distinctive features of the glaze and establish a connection between the forms of the pieces crafted from clay and those shaped by the Gloop Glaze. Currently, Hong is pursuing a master's degree and conducting research on glazes, building upon her previous work.


Saran Yen Panya — 56th Studio

56thStudio is a creative agency that focuses on telling good stories with no restricted manners or disciplines through creative eyes. Offering new marketing materials that involves creating, curating, distributing and amplifying content that is inspiring to a clearly defined audience group, 56thStudio comprises of several creative units that seamlessly merged into one think tank with one solid goal in mind: to tell stories – good stories that last.


Saruta ‘Pin’ Kiatparkpoom — PiN Metal Art

Pin is an artist and designer based in Bangkok, Thailand. She transforms and reuses steel to make art objects and home decoration items. Pin grew up in a family-owned steel company and holds a Fine Arts degree from Srinakharinwirot University and an Applied Art Master's degree from Silpakorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.


Sirirat Kunawutpeeti — Peeti Studio

peeti.studio is a small craft studio in Bangkok that uses the "lampworking" technique. It is the technique of their expertise to convey their interests in glass, whether it's the shape of the water while it is melting, its transparency, or its reflection. These elements are all delicately crafted into jewellery and home decoration items.


Wanus Choketaweesak, Nichepak Torsutkanok — Ease Studio

A Bangkok-based multidisciplinary bespoke design studio founded in 2014 by Nichepak Torsutkanok and Wanus Choketaweesak, the studio is an offshoot of a 30-year-old family-owned embroidery business that blends together craft, technology, and design. It explores traditional hand embroidery and crafts techniques by experimenting with machines down to its coding system. ease studio creates an array of interior decoration products such as furniture and even site-specific art installations. ease studio is known for its obsession with colours, textures, and materials to create new experiences for its tactile art and living product.


Yanothai Treeratchotikul

Yanothai is an artist who is passionate about Buddhist culture, philosophy, people’s beliefs, and various traditional objects. He brings these into the interpretation process to ask questions or create new perceptions about them. His work is about preserving culture in a contemporary way. He also gradually refines and trains himself while creating artworks. He personally believes in balance and the middle way.




VIETNAM

Anh Tuan Nguyen

Anh Tuan was inspired by the resourcefulness of the people of Saigon when designing his Flippo chair. Striving for the most efficient use of material as possible, he chose a single American red oak plywood panel which he melded to create all the components of the chair. Not only did this minimise waste but Anh Tuan found the manufacturing process pleasingly simple given the easy workability of the wood.


Huyen Trang Nguyen — Trang Nguyen

Huyen Trang Nguyen is an interiors and furniture designer based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Trang graduated from the University of Architecture HCM city in 2019. She won the first prize of the Hoa Mai competition in 2018, co-organized by AHEC, and was also one of the winners of the Creative ASEAN Furniture Design contest 2018. Trang has always been fascinated by Vietnamese traditional-inspired furniture and that’s the reason for bringing her to the aspiration of renewing traditional values.


Khanh Linh Phan

Linh is an aspiring industrial designer who recently graduated from the University of Architecture HCMC. Linh loves experimenting and working with different materials and textiles. Linh believes in problem-solving through design and creating high-quality products that enhance people's lives.


Nghiêm Vũ

Nghiêm Vũ started her design career with District Eight—a furniture company—to work and learn more deeply about the furniture she was placing in spaces. She always orients herself towards exploring and identifying the problems and needs of contemporary society, then finds ways to solve and meet those needs through her artistic perspective and point of view, aiming to create the right products that bring a little fun to each person’s living space. In addition to her work for District Eight, she independently researches and develops designs while exploring and developing her design philosophy. Last year, she participated in the wood furniture design award organized by Hawa (Ho Chi Minh City Woodworking Fine Arts Association) with her design, the Loom sofa.


Phúc Vinh Đỗ Phong

With over 8 years of experience in the design industry, this seasoned professional is renowned for their innovative approach and meticulous attention to detail. Throughout their career, they have demonstrated an exceptional ability to conceptualize and execute designs that captivate and inspire. Having honed their skills over the years, they possess a deep understanding of design principles and trends, allowing them to create visually stunning and functionally superior solutions for a diverse range of projects. Their extensive experience spans various sectors, including interior design, graphic design, and product design, providing them with a well-rounded perspective and versatile skill set.


Thomas Vincent — Bang

Bang is a Designers and Makers’ House joined by a passion for the creation, design and making of products. The interdisciplinary team of French and Vietnamese specialists come together to design, research, develop and manufacture furniture and lighting products.