At the heart of Southeast Asia’s largest furniture trade show, the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2024, creativity and excellence were celebrated with the annual MIFF Awards Ceremony. Held at MITEC’s Gallery, the awards spotlighted exceptional designs, standout booth presentations, and emerging design talents, adjudicated by an esteemed international panel.
The prizes were presented to the winners by the chief judge of the respective category, namely Zilahi Imre (FEA), Roberta Mutti (BPA) and Dr Eric Leong (FDC). This year, Artem V. Vasiliev, editor-in-chief of FURNITURE AFFAIRS Intl., joined the jury for the Furniture Excellence Award.
The Furniture Excellence Award (FEA) highlighted innovation in product design across two categories — Household Furniture and Office Furniture. Winners included Infab Classics Industries taking the Platinum Award in household furniture, with Sinhuiwan Furniture and TMH Furniture Industries Sdn Bhd securing the Gold and Silver Awards respectively. In the office furniture category, Oasis Furniture Industries clinched the Platinum Award, Zenith Projects Technology received the Gold, and Foshan Yizhong Furniture earned the Silver. A Judges’ Commendation Award was bestowed upon Yun Ming Wood Industries.
Chief Judge Zilahi Imre emphasized the necessity for Malaysian producers to embrace innovative materials and technologies. “Living in our global digital village, the lifestyle models and design inspirations are more or less the same for clients living in around the globe. To achieve a higher level of functionality for the furniture, every producer must prioritise staying connected to the sources of new technologies,” he stated.
The Best Presentation Award recognized Johann & Joann Concept for their creative booth design, followed by Florence Bed and Luxury Sleep Products. Judge Roberta Mutti praised the exhibitors’ attention to detail, asserting that a well-designed booth can significantly distinguish a brand.
The Furniture Design Competition (FDC) urged designers to rethink the classic chair, embracing the theme “Chair-Volution”. Freelancer Toh Wei Hang won the top prize for his innovative “Mu-shi” design, which beautifully merges natural aesthetics with modern functionality. Sitti Mehran Yasmine and Muhammad Shafitri Aiman were awarded second and third places for their thoughtful and functional designs.
A new Special Mention award was introduced, awarded to Ong Chia Yong for a design inspired by the MIFF logo. Additionally, Siti Nurul Diana Sukri was named Best Mentor, and UiTM Melaka Campus Alor Gajah received the Best Institution award.
With 203 entries from over 30 institutions, the FDC showcased the wealth of emerging talent within the furniture design community. Dr Eric Leong, head of the FDC jury, commended the entrants’ contemporary and creative designs, acknowledging the mentors’ role in preparing participants.
Ms Kelie Lim, General Manager of MIFF, expressed pride in the winners and reiterated MIFF’s commitment to fostering creativity and innovation within the furniture industry. “MIFF has always been devoted to supporting creative excellence to inspire exhibitors to stay fresh in the design and innovation of their products,” she said, highlighting the vital role of MIFF FDC in nurturing future designers for the industry.
