The School of Media, Arts & Design (SoMAD) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has made history by achieving remarkable success at the Malaysia International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition 2025. This prestigious competition, which began in the third quarter of 2024 and concluded during the fair held from 1st to 4th March 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, is recognised as Malaysia’s most anticipated furniture design challenge, drawing talent from across the region. 

At the much-awaited awards ceremony, APU was crowned “Best Institution”, a testament to the university’s commitment to innovation and excellence in industrial design. Adding to the celebration, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Industrial Design student, Ong Jing Rou, clinched second place with her groundbreaking cabinet design, "Loome".

A Testament to Excellence: The “Best Institution” Award

The "Best Institution" title is a reflection of APU’s dedication to nurturing forward-thinking designers. The achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of SoMAD’s dedicated faculty members—Mr Ivan Yeong Ming Hun, Mr Liew Yong Kian, and Mr Eekang Ooi (CiDE). Their mentorship and guidance played a pivotal role in shaping the students' winning designs. 

During the awards ceremony, Mr Ivan Yeong proudly represented APU on stage to receive the award from Dato' Dr Tan Chin Huat, founder and chairman of MIFF.

Fierce Competition, Outstanding Talent

The MIFF Furniture Design Competition 2025 witnessed a record-breaking 350 submissions from over 30 institutions across the region. Amidst such intense competition, SoMAD students stood out with their ingenuity and craftsmanship. APU’s students submitted four (4) exceptional designs, with two (2) of them advancing to the Top 20 finals. 

Among these finalists, Ong Jing Rou emerged as a true rising star, securing second place and a cash prize of RM3,000. Her triumph at MIFF 2025 follows two other significant victories in the past six months: the 2024 MIIP Interior Industry Awards and the KL Selangor Furniture Association (KSFA) Golden Axe Award 2024. This string of accolades further cements her reputation as a trailblazer in furniture design.

"Loome" – A Fashion-Inspired Masterpiece

Mentored by Mr Eekang Ooi, a certified industrial designer (CiDE), Jing Rou’s “Loome” stood out as a revolutionary cabinet series inspired by the fashion industry. This bold design challenges conventional furniture-making by replacing traditional hardwood or board with stretchable fabric. 

Perfectly aligning with the competition’s 2025 theme, "Fashion-Inspired Furniture", Loome introduces an innovative approach that allows users to switch out the outer fabric, customising their furniture based on seasons, moods, or personal style preferences.

Beyond its functional versatility, Loome also doubles as an ambient lighting piece. The use of translucent, stretchable materials creates a soft, diffused glow, subtly revealing the cabinet’s contents through a mist-like effect. This interplay of light and texture enhances the furniture’s aesthetic appeal while redefining the boundaries of modern furniture design.

APU Pioneering the Future of Industrial Design

The remarkable success of APU’s students at MIFF 2025 underscores the university’s excellence in industrial design education. With a strong emphasis on creativity, sustainability, and user-centred innovation, SoMAD continues to inspire the next generation of designers to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in the design world. 

As Ms Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan, Head of School, SoMAD, proudly reflects on this achievement, she shares: "This victory is a symbol of the passion, perseverance, and creative spirit that defines APU’s SoMAD community. We are incredibly proud of our students and faculty members who have showcased excellence at the MIFF 2025. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing our students shape the future of design with their groundbreaking ideas."