In this digital era, furniture designers must be able to develop themselves and take advantage of modern technology to process the advantages of Indonesian materials and craftsmanship in order to produce furniture with modern designs but still bring traditional characteristics. The challenge of integrating the latest craft and technology must overcome so that Indonesian furniture designers can continue to exist and able to compete in the globalization era.
Modern furniture designs based on local raw materials with internationally recognized designs will be the pride of Indonesian in the world. The combination of natural materials and modern processed materials complete with the ability to innovate in design can produce contemporary designs that have added value and become a driving force for the advancement of Indonesian furniture design. The combination of local materials with traditional nuanced designs to fulfill the functions of modern society is an added value for a design with artistic aesthetic value and high selling value.
The government is trying to reduce the various obstacles that have been faced by national furniture business players in production process, marketing and export. Raw materials and the ability of designers who can meet the demands of destination countries will make products attractive to buyers from various countries.
The Indonesian Rattan Furniture and Handicraft Association (AMKRI) has sparked hopes that supporting facilities will be available to carry out design development activities (Design Centers) and innovative products, as well as design protection for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in industrial base areas as design matters managed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. This is absolutely need the main condition for the formation of industrial competitiveness which is supported by the quality of marketable product designs.
Various exhibitions to support the introduction and marketing of Indonesian furniture are regularly held at local event and abroad. Indonesia Furniture Expo, Ambiente Messe Frankfurt, Salone del Mobile Milan, Asian Star, Asia Talents could be the initial event for Indonesia furniture to be involved globally.
Design is not just an ornament or decoration, nor is it about making pictures or lines. Design is about solving problems. Design is a way of life and a way of solving problems. In order for modern Indonesian furniture designs to exist and able to go to global market, Indonesian designers must confident in quality, have the potential for authentic culture-based innovation, and be proud to use domestic products.
Entering the global market is indeed a difficult stage, like a chick coming out of its egg shell. However, even surviving outside the shell must go through a series of stages and a continuous learning process. There are many complex things must completed, especially when the business continues to grow and the orders increases. Recruitment of workers, financial arrangements, procurement of goods, distribution, to employee salaries, and customer service must handled by good performance and suit with the initial concept, advancing domestic products based on Indonesian culture. One thing to remember, maintaining and improving quality and protecting works by making copyrights is very important. Copyright on original designs, beside it is a protection and appreciation for someone’s work, is also a trigger for the creation of other original works.
It was initially difficult to go the international market. It’s like you are swimming with swimmers who had won Olympic medals. However, this is precisely the opportunity to measure self-ability. The principle of learning by doing can applied. Be bold and confident, align with designs that already entered the international scene. In the end, Indonesia modern furniture design will be able to win the competition and become the champion.
Even if you failures and losses, swallow those failures, learn from them, don’t repeat them, be optimistic, keep getting up, look for new opportunities, and move on! Quality improvement and continuous innovation are the main capital for continuing to push into the international arena.
–sh
