PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian furniture design industry is expected to get a boost with the introduction of a new young designer award, The Ideation Award 2017.

MIFF Sdn Bhd said in a statement The Ideation Award 2017, held in conjunction with The Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2017 (MIFF 2017), aimed to offer a platform for students to showcase their talent and innovativeness in furniture design as it was only open to all students studying design or architecture at a recognised Malaysian institution.

“Besides encouraging newcomers to be involved in the furniture design industry, The Ideation Award would also help promote the development of the Malaysian furniture industry internationally,” it said.

The theme for the awards is creativity, innovation, technology and sustainability.

“While furniture design has always been about the creation and innovation of sustainable furniture, the competition also aims to give the spotlight to technology as it has become an integral part of everyone’s lives,” MIFF said.

Hence, one of the conditions for the submission of entries was that the designs had to incorporate technology introduced within the last five years such as social media (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter), laptop computers or notebooks, smartphones such as iPhone, flip video cameras and video game consoles (Nintendo Wii, X-Box, Playstation), the statement added.

Finalists for the The Ideation Award 2017 would have a chance to showcase their product designs during MIFF 2017, which would take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Putra World Trade Centre and the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre from March 2 to 6.

The Ideation Award 2017 is now open for registration and the closing date for entries is Jan 30.

Source : http://biz.thestar.com.my/