The second edition of FIND - Design Fair Asia has concluded after a multi-day celebration of the vibrancy of the region’s interior and furniture industry. The three-day trade show attracted an increasingly international audience. 13,00 attendees arrived from over 80 countries to discover brands, trends, and business opportunities at the key event of Singapore Design Week.
“We have been astounded by the strong industry support and hope FIND has solidified its position as a dynamic and innovative platform for brands, industry, and designers from across the region,” said Carl Press, director of FIND.
The event was opened by Dawn Lim, the executive director of DesignSingapore Council (DSG), along with representatives from the Economic Development Board, Singapore Tourism Board, Italian Trade Agency, and Singapore Furniture Industries Council.
Highlights of the event included the FIND - Global Summit and the EMERGE Exposition, which showcased budding designers from across Southeast Asia.
The FIND - Global Summit attracted over 500 professionals. Content Chair Yoko Choi spoke with AB Concept Studio co-founder Ed Ng, Olson Kundig Architects owner and CEO Hemanshu Parwani, Central Pattana creative director Ian Hendricks, and UNStudio head of futures Ren Yee across various sessions about ways to turn the pressing global challenges facing the industry into opportunities.
This year’s theme for EMERGE @ FIND was CRAFT + INDUSTRY: MAN + MACHINE. Curator Suzy Annetta gathered a collection of Southeast Asian designers and artists who all approached their work in different ways. The result was a wide selection of works that ranged from furniture to lighting to home accessories.
The Italian Design Future Capsule as well as the Italia Geniale exhibition showcased Italian craftsmanship, brands, and design excellence.
The Urban Design Factories Showcase put the circular economy on display and hosted talks on innovation, technology, and sustainability. The Altostrata Pavillion, a temporary structure that was 3D printed using biodegradable, sugar-based PLA played host to the showcase.
FIND’s growing importance for the regional interiors industry was exemplified by the launch of the Asia Pacific Designer Accreditation programme. The programme helps interior architects and designers to be recognised by the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA). The programme aims to create a set of standards to assess the professional competency of designers, laying the foundation for the pursuit of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Interior Design Services in the Asia Pacific region.
