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 draw newcomers to furniture design
  • To promote the development of the Malaysian furniture industry internationally through innovative, well designed products
  • To encourage the creation of an identity for Malaysian 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 2021

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Best Mentor Award
RM2,000 + Certificate
Most dedicated lecturer in mentoring participant(s) to develop quality product design

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

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 11th edition of MIFF FDC.

  • What is the theme for MIFF FDC 2021?
    MIFF FDC 2021 theme is ‘Design for the New Normal’. The impact of global pandemic has transformed our daily lives in the long run. Social distancing give significant shifts of consumer behaviour can be seen nowadays. It has redefined the way we work, spend leisure time and socialising where most of it done at the comfort of our home.
    • Design a furniture set that fits with the new social norm for residential or commercial such as home office, commercial office, restaurants, hospitals, institutions, public spaces and many more.
    • Furniture is an integral part of life, a way of living. A global appeal and marketability of the product is what breathes life into your design.
    • Participants are encouraged to use wood or a mix of materials.

  • Who eligible to participate in this contest?
    MIFF FDC 2021 is open to 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 8 March 2021. It is open to all backgrounds, including design students and professionals.

  • 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 2021 official website by 30 November 2020 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) (Landscape Orientation) in Adobe PDF format (Hi-Res, 300dpi).

    Each page must be labelled with a box of 4cm x 3cm on the bottom left corner of each page:
    - Name of the Design
    - Name of Designer


    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 2021 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, 20 participants will be shortlisted to proceed to the Final Round Judging. The Top 20 finalists will be notified on 20 November 2020. For the Final Round Judging, all finalists are required to present their design to panel of judges on 7 January 2021 in Kuala Lumpur. The winner of MIFF FDC 2021 will be determined from this session.

  • When will the winners be announced?
    The winners of MIFF FDC 2021 will be announced during MIFF 2021.
    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 8 March 2021. The Top 3 Winner of MIFF FDC 2021 and all finalists are invited to attend the Prize Presentation Ceremony held during MIFF 2021.

  • 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 2021?
    • Creativity and aesthetic
    • Functionality
    • Marketability
    • Presentation

  • What will the MIFF FDC 2021 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

    With an opportunity to showcase your design at MIFF 2021.

  • Where will MIFF FDC 2021 Design Showcase be held?
    It will be held at Millennials@Design section in Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) during Malaysian International Furniture Fair. Further details of the fair available in the official website.

  • Only the MIFF FDC Winners’ design artworks are showcased during MIFF 2021?
    No, the design artworks of MIFF FDC 2021 Top 3 Winners together with all the 17 finalists will be showcased during MIFF 2021. 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021, 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 2021?
    As the current global pandemic situation is dynamic, the arrangement of MIFF FDC 2021 might be changed to adapt with the best possible solution according to the situation. We are looking at the possibility of transitioning MIFF FDC 2021 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.