Designing a worthy pursuit
RECEIVING international awards and recognitions is not something new to KBU International College’s School of Design.
Students from the school made headlines again by being recognised as recipients of the Asia Pacific Designer Federation’s Design Star Award, under the IAI Design Awards.
“We are indeed proud of our students’ achievement for bagging this prestigious award as it is a grand achievement given to the most reputable and renowned designers in the various fields of international design,” said School of Design head Siow Yin Yoong.
“What makes this even more special is that Wong Kwan Theng and Chua Chia Hui are the only Malaysians who have managed to win the awards,” she added.
The award presentation ceremony took place at Central Academy of Fine Arts recently.
The students’ works were displayed at the Bird’s Nest Stadium Centre together with the design works of other professionals.
Wong, who just graduated from KBU, said, “At KBU, our lecturers always encourage us to participate in competitions to broaden our horizons and keep abreast with the constant changes revolving around the design industry.”
Wong, who was inspired by the structure of human “lungs” to re- design an abandoned six- storey building, used the elements of green technology in his design.
“I spent a total of six months to re- design the building, while retaining its old- style exterior,” said Wong.
Wong, who has breathing problems since young, said, “One day, as I was travelling in the bus, I realised how bad the smoke coming from the exhaust pipe was. That triggered the creative energy in me to design an air filtration system for the building.”
He says that the building, which comes with different functions for each floor, provides good air quality to the public.
Chua, who was inspired by the concept of “breaking out of the pupa”, designed a building to help prisoners become a better person upon their release.
The building comes with a gym, gallery, shelter room, resource centre, defence classes and a counselling area – all devoted to mould prisoners to be fit for the society after their release.
Among others, the building comes with natural lighting and heat- resistant glass to acknowledge the importance of green technology.
School of Design deputy head Chua Huwi Huwi said, “I am indeed proud to see our students who have emerged as the only Malaysians to bag this award.
“Not only that, it also shows our students are trained to compete with professionals and are top- notch.”
KBU’s School of Design cultivates top award- winning designers through its industry- based teaching and learning.
These include collaborative projects such as BROS bottle design, new product design for Stainless Steel Industries and Ralph Lauren’s The Big Pony Collection.
Additionally, the school is equipped with everything a design student needs – facilities include spacious studio space, advanced computer hardware and software, printing studio, 3D workshops and a range of state- of- the- art equipment.
The school also holds an excellent track record of clinching numerous accolades such as Maybank’s # MakeityourM2U competition, IAI Design Awards, MIFF Design Award and MIID Reka Awards 2014.
KBU’s School of Design offers BA ( Hons) Interior Architecture and Design ( 3+ 0), BA ( Hons) Graphic Design, BA ( Hons) Furniture and Product Design, Foundation in Art and Design, Diploma in Interior Design and Diploma in Interactive Design.
For details, contact KBU International College, Bandar Utama, at 03- 7727 3200, e- mail enquiry@ kbu. edu. my or visit www. kbu. edu. my
You can also join KBU at http:// facebook. com/ kbuinternational