By: Azman Zakaria
Photo: Azman Mohd
PUTRAJAYA, 3 April - The furniture industry, designers, researchers and academicians should be more aware of and understand clearly the current trends in the industry, especially on the application of latest technology in design and innovation to further boost the industry.
Dean of the Faculty of Design and Architecture (FRSB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Osman Mohd Tahir said that having such an awareness would provide opportunities for more commercialisation and increase the value and quality of each innovation or product.
He further added that the use and application of innovation and technology needs to be understood and emphasised to ensure the best mechanisms can be made available, so the industry can remain relevant, be used as a reference, and be employed by industries, designers, researchers and academicians.
"The emphasis on the changing trends in design and innovation of the industry is crucial to ensure the industry is geared towards the technological development 4.0 which include product development, manufacturing and strategic industry partnership," he said that while officiating the Furniture Design and Innovation Seminar 2018 here.
Different types of furniture with traditional designs were exhibited in the seminar, which was jointly organised by FRSB, INSIDE Research Group, Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), and Malaysian Design Council (MRM).
Assoc. Prof. LAr. Dr. Osman said that in the furniture industry, design and innovation play an important role in determining whether the furniture will be well received by the consumers, or otherwise.
The designs created should be meeting the needs of users in terms of ergonomics, safety, stability and user comfort, he said. He also added that consumers are deeply concerned about the quality, value for money and green products.
Meanwhile, Head of INSIDE Research Group, Department of Industrial Design, FRSB, Prof. Dr. Khairul Aidil Azlin Abd. Rahman said that the furniture industry in Malaysia should emphasise on the concept of 'designomics' (which is a combination of the words ‘design’ and ‘economics’) to inspire designers to actualise ideas that meet the needs and wants of consumers in their daily life.
"In line with meeting the market demand in furniture manufacturing, the concept of designomics is seen as an artistic stimulant to better match the needs of consumers," he said. - UPM
