Award winners
STUDENTS of the School of Interior Architecture and Design, The One Academy, proved themselves to be worthy adversaries again in the global creative field of design by accumulating 12 top awards in the International Art and Design Competition 2016 in Florence, Italy, recently.
The second edition of the art and design competition was organised and hosted by Accademia Riaci, an art and design university.
Besides being a reputable institution, its strategic location in Florence makes it desirable as host of the competition.
Sometimes dubbed as a “museum with no roof”, Florence gave birth to the Italian Renaissance where iconic artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci flourished during the 16th century.
As such, the students of Interior Architecture and Design grasped the timely opportunity to test their knowledge and skills, and gauge their abilities in the international art and design arena by submitting their artworks and projects to one of the major art capitals in the world.
With the competition’s main objective to promote Italian Art and fostering talents in new artists, contestants were required to submit entries embodying the culture of their own countries to accommodate the theme “Arts and Cultures of the World: Introduce a Flavor of Your Own Country”.
Among the nine competition categories, 11 Interior Architecture and Design students of The One Academy took part in three, namely Furniture Design, Interior Design and Jewelry Design.
When the overall results were announced late February, the contestants received pats on their backs and revelled in their victory.
Under Furniture Design category, student Chow Yong Sern bested his competitors from other countries as the grand prize winner.
The “Arnoldii Chair”, Chow’s first prize- winning armchair, uses the shape and colour of Rafflesia, which is symbolic of Malaysia.
“Rafflesia immediately crossed my mind as I saw the theme of the competition.” he said.
Other students placed in the same category were Chin Junn Han, Jen Lim Xin Le and Tan Yi Xuan.
The first- prize winner in the Interior Design Category, Jason Hee Wun Jet, derived his “Living in Unity” design from “the strongest element of our country, which is multiculturalism”.
Countries with three or more primary races are a rare sight, giving local students a cultural edge in cultivating ideas and inspirations for designs.
Students Tony Chai Kah Chun, Lewis Chan Yoong Wei, Josh Che Wen Ding and Sanny Lim Chiow Shen were also placed in the category.
Winners Adrian Wong Sheng Ang, Imanniati Mutiara Mentari and Tan Yi Xuan were placed in the Jewelry Design category.
“This is a really great success for the School of Interior Architecture and Design,” said head of Interior Architecture and Design School Dr Eric Leong.
An exhibition displaying the winners’ artworks and projects is scheduled to be held in Florence Spring 2016.
This will give the winners even more exposure to the elite creative community in Europe, along with ensuing opportunities to grow their talents.
“I feel greatly honoured knowing that my project will be exhibited in Florence,” said Chow, who feels glad his hard work has paid off.
“The international showcase will provide me with much needed exposure, which is very important for the design industry.”
“I hope the people in Florence will admire my work,” Hee said.
He plans to accept his reward to attend courses in Accademia Riacci free of charge as Italy is one of his dream countries to live in.
The One Academy nurtures students along its “Masters Train Masters” teaching philosophy, with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are sustainable in the creative and competitive working industry.
The registration for Diploma and Degree courses are now open for Interior Architecture and Design, Multimedia Design with Digital Media and Interactive Design, Digital Animation with Game Development, Film Visual Effects, Illustration, Movie and Game Art, Advertising and Graphic Design, Paris Fashion Design and Pattern Making and Fine Arts.
For details on The One Academy, visit www. toa. edu. my or call 03- 5637 5510 or e- mail enquiry@ toa. edu. my.