PRESIDENT OF THE SINGAPORE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL (SFIC)
PRESIDENT OF THE SINGAPORE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COUNCIL (SFIC)
As the new president of SFIC, the first order of business for Mark Yong is to improve the capabilities of its members and help them adapt to a changing marketplace. He explains why it’s important for the industry association to lead the way in connecting designers, manufacturers and retailers, while getting them ready for new challenges.
What sort of innovative approaches should designers and manufacturers take when adapting to new ways of selling and production?
Furniture are usually bulky items that take up a lot of space and result in high rental costs. With virtual reality and augmented reality tools, you can have a much smaller space, still showcase your products, and make it a very immersive experience for your consumers. Other approaches include designing smart and multifunctional furniture – for instance, transformable furniture, something that takes up very little space but when you need it to be bigger, you can make it bigger.
What do you think we need more of, for the design industry to flourish?
We need designers and manufacturers to not be shy from taking part in events where they can work with different companies and brands, such as Singaplural (a showcase organised by SFIC of the best design elements from various platforms like advertising, interior design and architecture).
Why is it important to push the Singapore brand for furniture makers?
Being Asian, we are very humble about our capabilities and what we are doing, and sometimes, we tend to hide; we don’t shout about our achievements. But we have a lot of talented manufacturers with exceptional manufacturing practices, and great brands that are well formulated. It is important to teach makers to profile themselves better on the national stage to get more attention.
Can you predict the trends for furniture and design this year?
I think simplistic or minimalist luxury is here to stay. Colour-wise, since the economy is slowing down; more natural materials, more muted, lighter and grounded colours seem to be becoming a trend. Nowadays, natural materials are also taking on other appearances – for instance, wood with a fabric type of texture, instead of synthetic materials fabricated to look natural.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SINGAPLURAL AND THE SINGAPORE DESIGN WEEK, TURN TO PAGE 80.
