Designing beyond boundaries
THE World Interiors Day is an annual occasion observed worldwide by the International Federation of Interior Architects/Design (IFI) to focus on Interior Architecture/Design (ID).
Its objective is to engage design enthusiasts, design organisations and the public to explore creativity in relation to the role of interior design in society, culture and future built environments.
This year’s theme “Design Without Borders” had First City University College (First City UC) Interior Architecture and Design club (IAD club) and Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Design & Built Environment devise a programme that covers the journey of experiences through the eyes of different successful ID entrepreneurs.
The First City UC event was attended by chief operating officer Yeong Yin Cheng, Design and Built Environment faculty dean Siow Yin Yoong, staff and students.
The theme carried a significant perspective, whereby design students perceive their challenges and limitations beyond boundaries.
“Designers in the world today are constantly and continually looking for ways to advance interior design and I’m proud that our design students are also looking to expand their horizons and going beyond their own boundaries,” said Yeong.
She encouraged students to go beyond borders, “to push beyond what you see as your own limitations and look for new ways to express yourselves as designers and to improve the quality of our built environment”.
The event featured sessions by invited alumni with entrepreneurial ID backgrounds to share experiences on being an entrepreneur, to encourage, motivate and inspire students.
Designer and First City UC part-time lecturer Kelvin Lam spoke on his business growth in designing for home and office spaces: “I play the role in guiding and assisting clients select the best materials for their space according to their tastes.”
The alumni from year 2012 who have now established their own company called Young Concept Design, talked about building and renovating homes within a given budget. They shared challenges designers may face while fulfilling the demands of clients as well as tactics of approaching them professionally.
Another group of alumni that owns Wunderwall Design co-presented their experience structuring Japanese cuisine restaurant Sushi Tei in accordance with the client’s specific requirements ensuring the feng shui elements were taken into account.
Designer Matthew Lim, who owns an interior design firm, shared his journey of realisation, transformation and purpose in life.
“Delivering a promise to a client is important as an interior designer,” said Lim.
He shared three tips on meeting life’s challenges: hard work, focus and objectivity.
First City UC is renowned for producing award-winning and highly sought after graduates.
The university college showcases the students’ projects and portfolios in specially-designed public exhibitions that attract potential employers, corporations and the public, enabling First City UC students to be offered employment on-the-spot by industry leaders.
The Faculty of Design & Built Environment is equipped with well-credentialled lecturers, state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities such as a laser cutter, 3D printing studio, electronic vacuum forming machine, wood workshop, Macintosh and PC lab, white canvas gallery, and photography studio.
The faculty programmes include design and fashion studies, plus research and communication writing skills, which guide and create pathways for students to pursue bachelor’s degree programmes.
These include BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design, BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design and BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and the first Master in Design Management programme in Malaysia.
The master’s programme is a combination of academic study and creative and professional practice in a project-led curriculum that draws on a range of interdisciplinary perspectives from business and the arts.
The course is designed to support employability and employer engagement by developing transferable industry high-level skills.
First City UC offers various scholarships to those in need or to academically exceptional students, including the Teo Soo Cheng Foundation Scholarship (founder’s scholarship), Merit Scholarship, Sports Scholarship, UEC Scholarship, Student Leader and Top Office Bearer Scholarship and Sibling Incentive.
Students can apply for these scholarships based on their SPM/O-Levels, STPM/ A-Levels, or UEC results.
Alumni incentives are available for current students who intend to study new programmes.