An exchange of ideas and a stage for inspiration at FIND – Design Fair Asia’s debut

CONTENT: Terence Yeo

As part of Singapore’s Design Week 2022, the inaugural edition of the FIND – Design Fair Asia dedicated to international interiors and furniture trade, came to a close towards the end of last month (22-24 September). Over 3 days, more than 12,000 international, regional and local attendees sought inspiration and sourced new suppliers, discovered future design concepts and explored business opportunities.

The fair attracted, also with the important support of ITA – Italian Trade Agency, under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International cooperation, international traders from Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam such as International Interiors, Living Interiors, IOTA, Zolijns, Prodotti Indonesia, Nimara Architects, Nostaloft sdn bhd, Archiculture Inter Group, Tropikon, to name a few.

The event was opened by guest of honour Low Yen Ling, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, who, during her speech at the opening ceremony, drew attention to the three ‘I’s’ of the event: imagination, innovation, and fostering international connection.

More than 250 companies, brands, retailers, distributors, and product designers showcased their ranges to the Asian market.

Sustainability was a key talking point of FIND – Design Fair Asia across much of the event. “We are now living in an age when two-thirds of the resources we take from the Earth are wasted and our natural resources are diminishing” was one of the key takeaways from EMERGE’s ‘Trash to Treasure’ panel discussion on Day 1. It highlighted the importance of sustainable materials and production along with how product designers in Southeast Asia are incorporating this practice. EMERGE @ FIND was staged as a platform that spotlighted up-and-coming creative industrial and product designers of Southeast Asia. Curated by Suzy Annetta, EMERGE presented designing philosophies and responsibilities, revolutionary products, and a boundless scope of creativity.

The fair featured bespoke designers and product makers who became a one-stop solution for interior designers and architects looking to add form and function to their portfolio of projects. “The Italian Futures Design Capsule” designed by Stefano Boeri Interiors, created with the support of The Italian Trade Agency, featured some remarkable Italian design houses and masterful products from Italy’s Compasso d’Oro industrial design award winning 2022 product portfolio.

The excellence of ‘Made in Italy’ was highly prominent with beautiful exhibits by Italian brands like Clan Milano, Nahoor Limelight, FIAM, Riva 1920 to name a few. Products like ‘Ordine’ which is a cooking utensil consisting of two induction plates hung on the wall with an digital display and ‘Giotto’ which is a charging tool for electric vehicles were a major attraction at the prestigious Compasso d’Oro exhibit situated in The Italian Futures Design Capsule.

Among the many beautiful exhibits of the Italian Design Futures Capsule were gems that offered customisation. UNIQ-E! Offers bespoke faucets that are manufactured using high purity 3D print metal. Another Italian brand called Valpaint S.p.A exhibited its wide portfolio and installations of paint varieties. The brand is a market leader and manufacturer of paints and coating for both interiors and exteriors. Traders, interior designers and their clients were spoilt for choice as they flipped through the never-ending variety of paint options.

Other brands included Singaporean brand Phillip Jeffries, a designer of customisable wall coverings; CUTLAB, an emerging wood cutting service company; Experpark, a brand offering floor decking services; artworks by designer and artist Pallavi Goenka whose brand ethos states ‘Your Space, Your Story, Your Masterpiece’ ensuring that every piece of artwork is customised. Additionally, the interior design studio HiVAR Studio introduced architects to its concept of 3D renderings and visualisations at the fair.

The FIND – Global Summit and the Interni Masterclasses presented an opportunity to exchange ideas in issues that currently dominate the design and art industry.

“FIND – Design Fair Asia was a dynamic anchor event of Singapore Design Week 2022. The launch of its first edition clearly shows how Singapore is not only a strategic East-West connector for international design brands and talent but how we’re firmly committed to championing and celebrating the rich and diverse design culture of our very own Southeast Asia region. We are already looking forward to next year’s FIND – Design Fair Asia and hope that this platform for trade and networking would gather even more designers, creativity, and connections,” concludes Dawn Lim, Executive Director, Design Singapore Council.

The next edition of FIND – Design Fair Asia will be held from 21- 23 September 2023 at Level 1 Hall A, B and C of Marina Bay Sands.