MIFF FDC

About MIFF Furniture Design Competition

The MIFF Furniture Design Competition (MIFF FDC) celebrates the creative spirit of design and to uncover young talent to support Malaysia’s thriving furniture industry. Organised each year since 2010 in conjunction with Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), it offers the best platform to emerging designers to showcase their innovative ideas before a global audience of furniture manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, industry influencers and industry media.

Nearly 2,000 design students and young professionals have entered the competition over the span of ten years. Past winners and competitors have launched their careers with their own design studios or working with local manufacturers and exhibiting in MIFF as well.

The stage is set for you to design your future. Showcase your design artwork to thousands at Southeast Asia’s largest furniture exhibition, and you could just be our next winner.

Objective

  • A platform for design talents to showcase their creativity and innovativeness in furniture design to the world market.
  • To encourage newcomers to the world of furniture design.
  • To promote the development of the Malaysian furniture industry internationally through innovative, design thinking & well-designed products.
  • To encourage the creation of the Malaysian identity of furniture products.

Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners:

  • Cash prizes
  • Trophy from the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur
  • Gift sponsored by Electrolux

“Living Furniture, Global Perspective” is this year’s theme that was generated in light of an increasingly globalised world. Hence, to design furniture that would appeal to the world, it would be good start by studying the current lifestyles of consumers and the global demand. As for “Living Furniture”, it hopes to inspire entrants to think furniture as an integral part of life, and a way of life.

Wood should be the main component of your design.
Malaysia’s furniture industry is highly export-oriented with over 90% of them being wooden furniture. Malaysia is blessed to have quality hardwood in abundance which has long been the core of the local furniture production. An important criterion in judging would be how one designs the furniture that breathes the soul of wood that Malaysia is so well known for around the world.

The NEW challenge this year is to require the participants to further expand the design into a furniture collection or series in accommodate to the global buying trend.

to participate

Prizes

1st PRIZE

RM 5,000 + Trophy + Certificate

2nd PRIZE

RM 3,000 + Trophy + Certificate

3rd PRIZE

RM 2,000 + Trophy + Certificate

FINALISTS

Certificate

The artworks of all finalists' design will be showcased at a special exhibit during MIFF 2023, 1 - 4 March

Special Recognition Awards

Best Mentor Award
RM 2,000 + Certificate
Most dedicated lecturer in mentoring participant(s) to develop quality product design.

Best Institution Award
Certificate
Institution with the most active participation and quality submissions.

FAQ

  • What does MIFF FDC stands for?
    MIFF FDC stands for MIFF Furniture Design Competition. MIFF FDC is an annual furniture design competition organised in conjunction with Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF).

  • How many years has MIFF FDC been running for?
    MIFF FDC was first started in 2010 as Ideation Award and renamed as MIFF FDC in 2013. This will be the 13th edition of MIFF FDC.

  • What is the theme for MIFF FDC 2023?
    MIFF FDC 2023 theme is ‘Post-pandemic Workspace Furniture’. Working spaces have been through quite some revolutions throughout the decades. Now, at this post-pandemic phase, the way and the needs of how we work are being rethought in order to support remote working, social distancing, providing cleaner work spaces and many other SOP which try to bring us back to work in a healthier and productive way.
    • Participants are encouraged to design any type of workspace furniture for commercial or home office use such as: Multifunctional office furniture, office seating, workstations, partition, storage system, furniture in discussion area, public seating, etc.
    • In order to promote sustainable living for our planet we are encourage the participants to take into consideration of Circular economy trends when designing the Post-Pandemic Workspace Furniture.
    • Furniture is an integral part of life, a way of living, the design should has the global appeal and the marketability of the product is what breathes life into your design.

  • Who eligible to participate in this contest?
    The competition is open to all the Malaysians, and foreigners residing, working or studying in Malaysia with authorised permits. Participants must be aged 40 or below for the duration of the competition ending 3 March 2023.

  • Are there any participation fees?
    No. This competition is free-of-charge.

  • How many entries can I submit?
    Participants are allowed to submit as many entries per sign up.

  • We wish to participate as a team. Is group submission allowed?
    No. Submission under a group of designers will not be accepted.

  • Are there any restrictions to the design submission?
    Entries must be newly created and unpublished (never appeared in the market as a product, featured in any newspapers, magazines, exhibitions or been a winner of other competitions). Entries that contravene intellectual or industry property rights will be disqualified. Participants will be liable for claims by third parties resulting from the contravention. The Organiser shall not be held responsible for any contravention.

  • Can I get back my design submission(s)?
    All submissions by participants are non-returnable and shall remain the property of the Organiser. Participants shall not use the same entry for other purposes unless with the permission of the Organiser.

  • When is the submission deadline?
    Entries are to be submitted online via MIFF FDC official website by 7 November 2022 before 11.59pm Malaysia time. Should you have any problem with the submission, please email our team at fdc@miff.com.my. Participants are encouraged to submit their entry(s) early to avoid any disappointment.

  • How do I make the design submission(s)?
    We encourage participant to do online submission through MIFF FDC website. Online submission guidelines will be provided soon.

  • In what format should I submit my design concept?
    A detailed concept of the design with photographs or visualised sketches and renderings, including brief descriptive annotations and approximate dimensions, must be presented on 7 pages of 16:9 format presentation pages (landscape orientation) in JPEG images (Hi-Res, 300dpi).

    SCALE DRAWINGS ARE REQUIRED FOR YOUR DESIGN SUBMISSION. Click here for more details.

  • What are the supporting documents that I should submit together with my design entry?
    Your design entry should submit together with completed registration form AND a photocopy of your identity card, foreign resident’s permit/ student card, whichever is applicable.

  • How will the MIFF FDC 2023 Winner be selected?
    There are a total of 2 judging rounds to determine the winner. An online judging is done for the Preliminary Judging, from all entries received, 10 participants will be shortlisted to proceed to the Final Round Judging. For the Final Round Judging, all finalists are required to present their design to panel of judges. The winner of MIFF FDC 2023 will be determined from this session.

  • When will the winners be announced?
    The winners of MIFF FDC 2023 will be announced during MIFF 2023.
    Please note that the schedule may be subject to change depending on the development of the global pandemic. We will monitor the situation closely and shall keep you updated on any new development.

    The Prize Presentation Ceremony would be held on 3 March 2023. The Top 3 Winner of MIFF FDC 2023 and all finalists are invited to attend the Prize Presentation Ceremony held during MIFF 2023.

  • Is there any special award will be given to institution?
    Yes, we have special recognisition awards will be given to institution:
    Best Institution Award - institution with the most active and quality participation
    Best Mentor Award – most dedicated lecturer in mentoring participant(s) to develop quality product design

  • What are the judging criteria for MIFF FDC 2023?
    • Creativity and aesthetic
    • Functionality
    • Marketability
    • Presentation

  • What will the MIFF FDC 2023 winners receive?
    1st Prize : RM 5,000 + Trophy + Certificate
    2nd Prize : RM 3,000 + Trophy + Certificate
    3rd Prize : RM 2,000 + Trophy + Certificate
    Finalists : Certificate
    Best Mentor Award: RM 2,000 + Certificate
    Best Institution Award: Certificate

    With an opportunity to showcase your design at MIFF 2023.

  • Where will MIFF FDC 2023 Design Showcase be held?
    It will be held at Millennials@Design section in MITEC / WTCKL during Malaysian International Furniture Fair. Further details is available at MIFF official website.

  • Only the MIFF FDC Winners’ design artworks are showcased during MIFF 2023?
    No, the Finalists' design artworks of MIFF FDC 2023 will be showcased during MIFF 2023. All designers are encouraged to be present throughout MIFF to answer the enquiry from the interested visitors and potential manufacturers and buyers.

  • How can I find out more about the MIFF FDC 2023 Competition?
    Should you require assistance, please feel free to contact us at fdc@miff.com.my or call +603-9771 2688.

  • How do I reach MIFF FDC 2023 via social media?
    Give our Facebook MIFF Furniture Design Competition page a thumb up to get connected.

  • I’m an international student studying at Malaysia and currently in my home country. Should my entry has been shortlisted, but the international travel ban set to continue in 2023, is there any special arrangement will be made to allow me to present my entry to panel of judges for Final Round Judging in January 2023?
    As the current global pandemic situation is dynamic, the arrangement of MIFF FDC 2023 might be changed to adapt with the best possible solution according to the situation. We are looking at the possibility of transitioning MIFF FDC 2023 Final Round Judging to a hybrid (physical + online) setting to deal with the restriction on international travel or other uncertainty. We will monitor the situation closely and provide updates on any new development.