Meet FDA Finalists Ath Supornchai and Shen Yu Hao
In this six-part series, we talk to the finalists of Singapore's Furniture Design Awards 2017 about their design process
The Furniture Design Award (FDA) is an annual furniture design competition organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC). The Award aims to uncover budding design talents both locally and internationally and be a reputable showcase for the unique creations of the world’s best creative minds. Increasingly, FDA has become a platform for exchange and networking amongst furniture manufacturers and designers internationally.
Here are two of the 12 finalists whose entries are on display at the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show in 2017. They are vying for the Grand Award of S$20,000 in cash, plus a 12-square-metre exhibition booth to present his/her designs at the fair the following year.
Here are two of the 12 finalists whose entries are on display at the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show in 2017. They are vying for the Grand Award of S$20,000 in cash, plus a 12-square-metre exhibition booth to present his/her designs at the fair the following year.
What was the first thing that you designed that’s now in the market?
Since I only graduated last year, my first project in the market is still in production. It’s a chair called Layer03 which I designed for Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) and it will be in the market this year.
Since I only graduated last year, my first project in the market is still in production. It’s a chair called Layer03 which I designed for Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) and it will be in the market this year.
What’s the inspiration behind your entry for FDA?
The Sofa collection called ‘Kiri’ (which means mountain) was inspired by a mountain landscape in the Northeast part of Thailand. It revolves around the traditional way of living on the floor, which I’ve incorporated with the modern sofa to create a more flexible, more relaxed atmosphere.
Triangle pillows produced by traditional handwoven techniques and natural dyes are key unique points in this collection, and represent the plains and mountain landscape very well.
The Sofa collection called ‘Kiri’ (which means mountain) was inspired by a mountain landscape in the Northeast part of Thailand. It revolves around the traditional way of living on the floor, which I’ve incorporated with the modern sofa to create a more flexible, more relaxed atmosphere.
Triangle pillows produced by traditional handwoven techniques and natural dyes are key unique points in this collection, and represent the plains and mountain landscape very well.
Please tell us what your creative process is like, using your FDA entry as an example.
My design process changes, depending on the project. But I always start with observation. For the Kiri Collection, the idea started when I visited a village in the Northeast province of Thailand where traditional hand-weaving is practised. I learnt that this craft is dying, and I wanted to help save it.
From there, it was about generating ideas that address the focus or uniqueness of the product – in this case, the triangle pillow. In furniture design, there are so many things to think about: materials, production process, details, comfort, aesthetics and much more. I believe that balance is the key.
My design process changes, depending on the project. But I always start with observation. For the Kiri Collection, the idea started when I visited a village in the Northeast province of Thailand where traditional hand-weaving is practised. I learnt that this craft is dying, and I wanted to help save it.
From there, it was about generating ideas that address the focus or uniqueness of the product – in this case, the triangle pillow. In furniture design, there are so many things to think about: materials, production process, details, comfort, aesthetics and much more. I believe that balance is the key.
FDA 2017 Finalist: Kiri by Ath Supornchai
Kiri is a modular sofa system designed for the floor living lifestyle. The triangle pillows offer flexible usage and the sofa system can serve both the living and dining areas. Pillows come in two sizes with different angles for various sitting postures. The cushions come in different densities. The key to its comfort is in the ripple-like texture of the upholstery. An old upholstery technique called ‘kapok’ creates a cosy feel while keeping the cushions lightweight.
Kiri is a modular sofa system designed for the floor living lifestyle. The triangle pillows offer flexible usage and the sofa system can serve both the living and dining areas. Pillows come in two sizes with different angles for various sitting postures. The cushions come in different densities. The key to its comfort is in the ripple-like texture of the upholstery. An old upholstery technique called ‘kapok’ creates a cosy feel while keeping the cushions lightweight.
Shen Yu Hao
Yu-Hao Shen is a Taiwanese designer who is pursuing his master’s degree in industrial design at Institute of Applied Arts, National Chiao Tung University. By designing furniture, he shares his belief in simplicity and thoughtfulness. He also believes that the handmade process enables designers to have a deeper understanding of materials, and can enhance the depth of design.
How did you get into furniture design?
I was fascinated by the charm of furniture design when I was in high school. I focused on furniture design as I started my studies in industrial design. I was fortunate to be an exchange student at Aalto University in Finland in 2015. The experience of exploring Finnish design strengthened my goal of becoming a furniture designer.
Who are your heroes/idols in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Most of my inspiration comes from a Finnish furniture company called Nikari. They truly present Finnish lifestyle through their design, and it got me thinking about what kind of values I want to pursue in my furniture design. By focusing on wood working, Nikari creates unique furniture that strike a perfect balance between the natural spirit and human finishing. It made me understand that if handmade materials are applied appropriately, they can bring that warm and natural touch.
Yu-Hao Shen is a Taiwanese designer who is pursuing his master’s degree in industrial design at Institute of Applied Arts, National Chiao Tung University. By designing furniture, he shares his belief in simplicity and thoughtfulness. He also believes that the handmade process enables designers to have a deeper understanding of materials, and can enhance the depth of design.
How did you get into furniture design?
I was fascinated by the charm of furniture design when I was in high school. I focused on furniture design as I started my studies in industrial design. I was fortunate to be an exchange student at Aalto University in Finland in 2015. The experience of exploring Finnish design strengthened my goal of becoming a furniture designer.
Who are your heroes/idols in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Most of my inspiration comes from a Finnish furniture company called Nikari. They truly present Finnish lifestyle through their design, and it got me thinking about what kind of values I want to pursue in my furniture design. By focusing on wood working, Nikari creates unique furniture that strike a perfect balance between the natural spirit and human finishing. It made me understand that if handmade materials are applied appropriately, they can bring that warm and natural touch.
What was the first thing that you designed that’s now in the market?
My design works haven’t entered the market yet. I plan to promote N-S Stool, and seek opportunities to apply the idea of combining magnets with plywood in future commissioned projects.
My design works haven’t entered the market yet. I plan to promote N-S Stool, and seek opportunities to apply the idea of combining magnets with plywood in future commissioned projects.
What’s the inspiration behind your entry for FDA?
The idea for my entry came from an experiment in bending plywood. In the beginning, I tried to experiment with different plywood and veneers. As I placed magnets inside the bent plywood, I was fascinated to discover that two pieces can be joined together without any force, screw or glue. The idea therefore emerged, and I decided to apply it to furniture assembly.
The idea for my entry came from an experiment in bending plywood. In the beginning, I tried to experiment with different plywood and veneers. As I placed magnets inside the bent plywood, I was fascinated to discover that two pieces can be joined together without any force, screw or glue. The idea therefore emerged, and I decided to apply it to furniture assembly.
Please tell us what your creative process is like, using your FDA entry as an example.
My design comes from my observations of different cultures, human behaviour and materials. For N-S Stool, I observed the unique characteristics of plywood while pairing it with other materials. The idea for N-S Stool sprouted when I experimented with bent veneer and magnets. I then started thinking of how to apply it to our daily lives while keeping it attractive.
My design comes from my observations of different cultures, human behaviour and materials. For N-S Stool, I observed the unique characteristics of plywood while pairing it with other materials. The idea for N-S Stool sprouted when I experimented with bent veneer and magnets. I then started thinking of how to apply it to our daily lives while keeping it attractive.
FDA 2017 Finalist: N-S Stool by Shen Yu Hao
N-S Stool was inspired by research into laminated wood technology. This project involved experimenting with different veneers and bent plywood. The placement of magnets between veneers created a new way of building up the structure. ‘N-S’ refers to ‘North-South’ or the magnetic force between two unlike poles of magnets. The N-S Stool is made up of three identical pieces of wood which connect to each other through magnetic force. The N-S Stool saves space and is easy to store, carry and assemble. It solves many issues in small space living.
MORE
Which Design Will Win Singapore’s Furniture Design Award 2017?
N-S Stool was inspired by research into laminated wood technology. This project involved experimenting with different veneers and bent plywood. The placement of magnets between veneers created a new way of building up the structure. ‘N-S’ refers to ‘North-South’ or the magnetic force between two unlike poles of magnets. The N-S Stool is made up of three identical pieces of wood which connect to each other through magnetic force. The N-S Stool saves space and is easy to store, carry and assemble. It solves many issues in small space living.
MORE
Which Design Will Win Singapore’s Furniture Design Award 2017?
Ath Supornchai was born in 1992 in Bangkok, Thailand. After graduating in Industrial Design from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) he worked as a design assistant for THINKK Studio, working on furniture and decorative products. Supornchai is currently a freelance designer.
How did you get into furniture design?
In the summer of my second year studying industrial design at university, I entered a competition by US furniture brand called Groovystuff. Amazingly I got the second prize. My passion for furniture design grew after that.
Who are your heroes/idols in the world of furniture design, and what are your inspirations?
Oh, I have a lot, but I’ve always admired Patrick Norguet’s work and I get excited every time he launches a new project. Every detail of his work is always elegant and at the same time, modest and simple.
While at THINKK Studio, I saw how passionate and talented their designers are. The way they implement traditional craft into everyday objects is amazing!