Interior Architecture & Design School of The One Academy is World Number One

The students of School of Interior Architecture & Design, The One Academy, once again proved themselves to be worthy adversaries in the global creative field of design by accumulating 12 top awards in the International Art & Design Competition 2016 in Florence, Italy recently.

The second edition of the art and design competition was organised and hosted by Accademia Riaci, an art and design university. Besides being a reputable institution, its strategic location in Florence makes it desirable as the competition’s host. Sometimes dubbed as a “museum with no roof”, Florence gave birth to the Italian Renaissance where iconic artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci flourished during the 16^th century.

As such, the students of Interior Architecture & Design grasped the timely opportunity to test their knowledge and skills, and gauge their abilities in the international art and design arena by submitting their artworks and projects to one of the major art capitals in the world.

With the competition’s main objective to promote Italian Art and fostering talents in new artists, contestants were required to submit entries that embody the culture of their own countries to accommodate the theme ‘Arts and Cultures of the World: Introduce a Flavor of Your Own Country’.

Among the nine competition categories, eleven Interior Architecture & Design students of The One Academy took part in three, namely Furniture Design, Interior Design and Jewelry Design. When the overall results were announced late February, the student contestants received many pats on their backs and reveled in their victory. 

Under Furniture Design category, student Chow Yong Sern bested his competitors from other countries as the grand prize winner. The ‘Arnoldii Chair’, Chow’s first prize-winning armchair, uses the shape and color of Rafflesia which is symbolic of Malaysia. “Rafflesia immediately crossed my mind as I saw the theme of the competition. I was impressed and fascinated by it when I saw it during my trip a couple of years ago,” he said.

Other students who placed in the same category are Chin Junn Han, Jen Lim Xin Le and Tan Yi Xuan.

The first prize winner in the Interior Design Category, Jason Hee Wun Jet, derived his ‘Living in Unity’ design from “the strongest element of our country which is multiculturalism”. Indeed, countries with three or more primary races are a rare sight, giving local students a cultural edge in cultivating ideas and inspirations for designs.

Students Tony Chai Kah Chun, Lewis Chan Yoong Wei, Josh Che Wen Ding and Sanny Lim Chiow Shen also placed in the category. 

In the Jewelry Design category, the winners are Adrian Wong Sheng Ang, Imanniati Mutiara Mentari and Tan Yi Xuan.

“This is a really great success for the School if Interior Architecture & Design. I am immensely proud of my students who are able to represent our country in this prestigious international competition,” said Dr. Eric Leong, Head of Interior Architecture & Design School.

An exhibition to display all the winners’ artworks and projects is scheduled to be held in Florence in spring 2016. This will provide the winners more exposure to the elite creative community in Europe, along with ensuing opportunities to grow their talents.

“I feel greatly honored knowing that my project will be exhibited in Florence. The international showcase will provide me with much needed exposure which is very important for the design industry,” Chow feels glad his hard work has paid off.

“I hope the people in Florence will admire my work,” Jason said, feeling blessed and shocked to win first place in an international competition for the first time. He plans to accept his reward to attend courses in Accademia Riacci free of charge as Italy is one of his dream countries to live in.

In line with the ‘Masters Train Masters’ teaching philosophy, The One Academy is dedicated to nurturing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are sustainable in the creative and competitive working industry. The registration for Diploma and Degree courses are now open for Interior Architecture & Design, Multimedia Design with Digital Media and Interactive Design, Digital Animation with Game Development, Film Visual Effects, Illustration, Movie & Game Art, Advertising & Graphic Design, Paris Fashion Design & Pattern Making and Fine Arts. 

For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call +603-5637 5510 or e-mail your enquiries to [email protected].