Contest winners explore design practices and IP with leading furniture designer

Winners of the Creative ASEAN Furniture Design Contest 2018 learned about design practices and protecting their intellectual property during a two-day internship with acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue at his studio in Cebu City, Philippines, on 7-8 February. Organised by ARISE+ IPR, participants gained insights from practical exercises on the design process and use of materials, production of mockups, as well as branding and protecting their trademarks, copyright and designs. 

“The internship helped me to widen my views, not only by meeting with designers from other countries but also techniques for design and design thinking,” said Amanda Ong Sze Xian, contest winner from Malaysia.
 
Addressing participants, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Josephine Santiago acknowledged the great opportunity for participants to expand their skills during the internship. “These designers from across ASEAN have earned their spot in the ARISE+ IPR's internship program, and are fortunate to learn from Filipino designer, Kenneth Cobonpue. Mr. Cobonpue is recognised by IPOPHL as an IP Ambassador for his creative genius and his advocacy to protect industrial designs as an intellectual property," she commented.  
 
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.
 
Mr. Cobonpue emphasised the need for the participating designers to protect their IP, noting that he has come across a number of infringing products as his profile grew. “Its very important to protect your designs from the onset.  The IP offices have made it quite economical to protect your designs and are very helpful when it comes to enforcing their protection,” he commented.

The Creative ASEAN Furniture Design Contest winners were announced at Style Fair 2018  in Bangkok in October 2018, where they displayed their works at a dedicated exhibition area. The winning designs from Su Htwe (Myanmar), Amanda Ong Sze Xian (Malaysia), Clark Mendoza (Philippines), Jessica Wong (Singapore), WareesaLakanathampichit 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: Design contest winners attend internship with leading furniture design studio