Design contest winners attend internship with leading furniture design studio

The winners of the Creative ASEAN Furniture Design Contest participated in an internship programme with acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue in Cebu City, Philippines, on 7-8 February. Organised by ARISE+ IPR, the internship provided an opportunity for the winners to hone their skills and learn the techniques of a world-renowned designer and gain a better appreciation of the importance of protecting their designs.  

Philippine national Kenneth Cobonpue pioneered the integration of design, manufacturing and marketing following studies and professional placement in New York, Italy and Germany in the 1980s and ‘90s. Best known for his innovative use of natural materials, Cobonpue has received numerous accolades for his pieces, including five Japan Good Design Awards, the American Society of Interior Design Top Pick and the French Coup de Coeur award.

The Creative ASEAN Furniture Design Contest winners were announced at Style Fair 2018 in Bangkok in October, where they displayed their works at a dedicated exhibition area. The winning designs from Su Htwe (Myanmar), Ong Sze Xian (Malaysia), Clark Mendoza (Philippines), Jessica Wong (Singapore), Wareesa Lakanathampichit and Artipon Deewongkij (Thailand), and Nguyen Thi Huyen Trang (Viet Nam) were selected based on their technical aspects, aesthetics, sustainability, originality and innovation. The Creative ASEAN Furniture Design Contest was organised by the ARISE+ IPR programme with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Thailand. 

For further information: Contest winners explore design practices and IP with leading furniture designer