MIFF 2023 celebrates winners of the design competition

Malaysia’s biggest furniture exhibition, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2023, announced the winners of the 2023 MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) and Best Presentation Award on March 3, amidst the hustle and bustle of the event.

The theme for this year’s competition was “Post-pandemic Workspace Furniture.” Aric Neo Yong Yea, a 23-year-old student from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, emerged as the winner of the MIFF FDC challenge with his modular seating concept called “MOD,” beating over 250 other competitors and earning RM5,000 in prize money.

Yasmin Hanie Mohamad Zamri, a 22-year-old student from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam, won the second prize for her “S’hook Chair,” described as an office-on-the-go concept, while Bryan Lim Li Quan of Southern University College won the third prize with “Mount,” a seating concept that converts into a small table with two stools. UiTM Puncak Alam also won the Best Institution Award, and Sarah Rahman, Nur Adilla Abd Rahman, and Zainullah Zainal Abidin picked up all three Best Mentor Awards.

Tuan Abdul Hadi Omar, Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Planning and Management) at the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, presented the prizes to the winners. An international jury of five industry experts, led by Malaysia’s renowned Dr Eric Leong, selected the winners from 269 submissions from 24 design institutions and six from the private sector. The entries were evaluated based on aesthetics, functionality, marketability, sustainable elements, and the incorporation of technology in design.

The works of the winners of the FDC and the remaining finalists were exhibited at MIFF 2023, which has an estimated 20,000 international attendees and ends tomorrow.

Muar-based Vistawood Industries Sdn Bhd, a children’s furniture specialist, won the Best Presentation Award. Johann & Joann Concept Sdn Bhd and Hin Lim Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd won second and third places, respectively.

Five companies, including Alustil Sdn Bhd, Eastern Decorator Sdn Bhd, Step Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd, Wintech Metal Processing Sdn Bhd, and Zhejiang Runda Kehong Furniture Co Ltd, received the merit award.

The booths were judged on design, creativity, construction, and product presentation by an international jury led by Chief Judge Zilahi Imre, the Editor-in-chief of Magmob publication from Romania. MIFF General Manager Kelie Lim expressed her appreciation to the judges for their hard work and patience and emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating young designers’ efforts and inspiring them to push the boundaries of innovation. She also thanked FRIM, their long-time partner, for supporting BPA with furniture tests for all the winners.

“As demonstrated at MIFF, it is inspiring to see how creativity can enhance business growth. We want to keep nurturing the spirit, and also, we want to put young designers in the spotlight to help them start and build a successful career in the industry,” said Kelie Lim.