MIID Students’ Saturday 27:12

First City University College’s Interior Architecture and Design students proudly showcased their creativity and future-forward thinking at the MIID Students’ Saturday 27:12, held on 11 October 2025 at SEGI University, Kota Damansara. The event, themed “Speculative”, was organised by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) and hosted by SEGI University, bringing together interior design institutions from across Malaysia to explore the future of design and challenge creative boundaries.

Students from both the Diploma in Interior Design (DID) and Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design (BIAD) programmes participated enthusiastically in various competition categories, including Ideation, Installation Art, Sketching, and Recycled Material Sculpture. Their innovative ideas and design excellence earned them widespread recognition and a remarkable collection of awards.

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🏆 FCUC Winners Highlights

Ideation (Design Competition) – Diploma Level

• Residential Design: Hey Wen Xuan – 2nd Place
• Commercial Design: Ooi Qi Earn – Honourable Mention, Chong Jian Min – 3rd Place
• Integrated Design: Lim Lee Tong – Honourable Mention

Ideation (Design Competition) – Degree Level

• Commercial Design: Lee Chai Xuan – 1st Place
• Hospitality Design: Cheng Jia Hao – Honourable Mention, Kimberly Oddie – 2nd Place
• Integrated Design: Yap Jet Yee – 3rd Place

Exposition (Installation Art)

• Lim Tong Ern, Yap Li Xuan, Kong Yuen Theng & Lee Wei Yan – 1st Place

Scribbling (Sketching) – Lecturer Category

• Ar. IDr Tan Yee Ling – 1st Place

Curating (Art on Surface) – Intervarsity

• Hor Yi Wen & Kong Shi Yi – 2nd Place

Artvgnza (Recycled Material Sculpture) – Intervarsity

• Natalie Wong Zi Ning – 3rd Place
• Cherish Anabelle – 1st Place

💬 Student Reflections

Chloe Lee, a Diploma in Interior Design student, shared:

“This event truly pushed us out of our comfort zones. It wasn’t just about design—it was about imagination, experimentation, and expressing our vision of the future.”

Hey Wen Xuan added:

“Seeing so many creative works reignited my passion for design. Malaysia’s young designers are bold, expressive, and ready to challenge conventions.”

SEQUENCE 2025: FROM SPARK TO SPECTACLE

From 26 to 28 September 2025, First City University College celebrated the 23rd anniversary of its Sequence Showcase with the theme “Spark to Spectacle.”

Held at The School, Jaya One, the showcase presented the works of 55 graduating students from six design programmes, including interior architecture, furniture design, graphic design and fashion marketing. The event was officiated by Adjunct Professor IDr Joe Chan Wan Hoe, Deputy President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers.

Graduation Showcase Group Photo

From Left, Assist Prof Chua HH, Tan Sri Teoh CL, Prof Dr Saw SH and IDr Joe Chan

Event Launching

Best Showcase Awards Recipients

A total of 16 awards were presented during the showcase, including 6 Best Showcase Awards across programmes and 10 special awards recognizing perseverance, creativity, leadership, collaboration, and impact.

Gratitude was extended to all sponsors who contributed to the success of this year’s Design Showcase.

🔶 Gold Sponsor - SNK X Solutions

⚪ Silver Sponsors - Radius Arts & Crafts, UNLTD Design PLT and Mummy Design

The showcase also featured public activities such as workshops and craft booths, extending the celebration to the wider community.

Appreciation is once again extended to all sponsors for their role in empowering the next generation of designers.

SEQUENCE 2025: 26–28 September 2025

Discover the creativity, passion, and innovation of our final-year students as they unveil their finest work to the public.

✨ Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of talent and design!

🔗 Visit us at: https://firstcityshowcase.com/sequence2025/

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @sq.firstcity

DESIGN REVIEW

 

The Interior Architecture and Design Degree programme Final Review Day was held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, to showcase student work from Year 1 to Year 3, across both design studio and theory modules. The session aimed to provide professional insights and feedback to support students’ academic and creative development.

The event featured:

• A welcome gathering with programme coordinators IDr. Fakhul Zaman, Phil Su Sing Kwong, Dean Asst. Prof. Chua Huwi Huwi, and IAD academic staff.
• Student presentations at White Canvas Gallery (Level 3) and Studios (Level 3A).
• A feedback session on students projects and learning experiences.

To ensure alignment with industry standards, the review was conducted by a distinguished panel of 15 external assessors from both academia and the interior architecture industry, including representatives from MIID Council Members, lecturers from UiTM, and leading design firms such as NU-SA Architects, A Moxie Associates, Thinkscape Design Works, TA Properties, Studio + 424, FABKL Design, ARCRADIUS Works, Jujurworks, Metric Global, Index Design, DCS Creatives, and Space Alliance and Contracts M Sdn Bhd.

Their participation brought valuable local and international perspectives, helping students prepare for future careers in interior design.

Immersive Learning @ Worq Bandar Utama

Welcoming speech and introduction to Worq Bandar Utama by Mr Kenny.

On 6 August 2025, Diploma in Interior Design students embarked on an insightful study visit to Worq Bandar Utama, led by Ts. Wayne Ng, the programme coordinator. The visit offered a valuable opportunity for students to connect classroom theory with real-world design practice in a dynamic coworking environment. The session began with a warm welcome from host representative Mr. Ariff, setting the stage for an engaging and educational experience. Students were then divided into three groups for a guided tour of the coworking space. They explored firsthand how effective workplace planning, spatial organization, and interior design principles are applied to create functional and community-oriented environments. This immersive exposure allowed students to observe the interplay between aesthetics and utility in professional settings. 

Entourage Photo With Worq Bandar Utama Staff and Designer

Following the tour, students participated in a lively Q&A session led by Designer Mr. Kenny. Encouraged to ask questions and share insights, the students deepened their understanding of design challenges and solutions relevant to coworking spaces. A reflective discussion with lecturers then helped students link their observations to academic concepts and sharpen their design thinking. The visit concluded with a group photo and a token of appreciation presented by the class representative to the hosts, marking the day’s success and collaborative spirit. Students found the experience both inspiring and practically useful. 

Chiew Tong Ern reflected, “Exploring how coworking spaces are designed to balance functionality and community was incredibly inspiring. It helped me see how spatial planning can encourage collaboration.” 

Jesmine Ting Yu Han added, “The visit gave me new insight into how coworking environments can be tailored to different user needs. It was a great reference for our own design project.” 

Overall, the study visit enriched the Diploma in Interior Design students’ learning journey by offering tangible examples of professional design practice. It strengthened their ability to apply design principles creatively and thoughtfully, helping to prepare them for future challenges in the interior design industry.

AYDA 2025 Competition Briefing

The Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA) 2025 briefing session provided an exciting and insightful look into one of Asia’s most prestigious design competitions. Hosted at the Postgraduate Studies Lecture Hall, the session gathered aspiring interior design and architecture students to learn more about the opportunities that AYDA offers and how it can be a transformative experience in their design journey. AYDA is not just a competition, it is a developmental platform that nurtures and elevates young talents across the region. During the briefing, students were introduced to the competition's theme, criteria, and submission guidelines, but more importantly, they were inspired by how the initiative challenges them to push creative boundaries and think critically about real-world design issues, especially those related to sustainability and innovation.

Participating in the AYDA competition offers numerous benefits that extend beyond just winning a title. Firstly, it provides students with valuable industry exposure, allowing them to present their ideas to a panel of experienced professionals, which enhances their credibility and visibility in the design field. It also serves as a powerful platform for skill development, encouraging students to refine their design concepts, improve presentation techniques, and strengthen their problem-solving abilities in response to real-world challenges.

The session concluded with a token of appreciation presented to the speaker representative from AYDA, in recognition of the valuable insights shared during the briefing

A Study Tour to The Makeover Guys

The visit to The Makeover Guys office was more than just a tour,it was an immersive learning experience that allowed students to see how interior design can shape not just spaces, but also the way people work, collaborate, and connect with a company’s values. The session began with an engaging introduction by Vinise from the People & Culture team. She gave students a clear picture of the company’s background and what to expect from the visit, helping them view the office not just as a physical space, but as a reflection of The Makeover Guys’ core identity. Her insights also set the tone for the importance of people-focused design, an essential element often overlooked in academic projects.

Following that, Mr. Gavin, the Founder and CEO, delivered a powerful presentation on the company’s vision, its mission to transform living spaces, and how the principles of design are embedded into the DNA of their workplace. He explained how a well-designed office doesn’t only look good, it enhances team performance, communicates brand values, and supports company culture. His talk offered students a real-world understanding of how business goals and design decisions go hand-in-hand. The office tour was a true highlight. Students were guided through various zones of the workspace, each designed with intention and creativity. From open collaboration areas to cozy breakout corners, every space served a purpose. Students observed how the layout encourages productivity, supports teamwork, and reflects the company’s youthful, energetic brand. The creative use of colors, materials, lighting, and even graphics served as design cues that students could relate back to their own projects.

Key features such as flexible workstations, brand storytelling elements, and efficient space utilization showed how design can be both functional and emotionally engaging. These real-life applications of design strategies gave students tangible examples to refer to for their academic assignments helping them bridge the gap between theory and practice. To wrap up the visit, students participated in a lively Q&A session with industry professionals.

This dialogue allowed them to ask meaningful questions about the design process, materials, user needs, and even challenges faced during project execution. It was a rare and valuable opportunity to gain practical insights from people working at the heart of the interior design industry. In the end, the visit left students inspired not only with creative ideas for their studio work, but also with a clearer sense of how thoughtful workplace design can elevate a company’s brand and culture. It served as a strong reminder that successful interior design goes far beyond aesthetics, it’s about designing for people, purpose, and performance.

Design Dialogue Recap: Exploring the Design Process with Industry Experts

On 25th June 2025, from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, the Postgraduate Centre at First City University was filled with energy and inspiration as students gathered for an engaging Design Dialogue session. The event featured two respected professionals in the interior design field: Vienna Chew, Design Director of Millimetre Design, and Syahir Ali, Co-founder of Kort Studio.

Both speakers shared their personal design journeys and emphasized the importance of understanding and following the design process—from concept development and space planning to material selection and final execution. Students had the unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into how top designers approach real-life projects with creativity, discipline, and strategy. Vienna Chew highlighted the significance of research and client consultation as the foundation of any successful design. She shared how clarity in the initial stages leads to smoother project management and greater client satisfaction. Meanwhile, Syahir Ali spoke about the value of iterative design and how embracing feedback throughout the process results in more thoughtful and refined outcomes The talk not only inspired students but also deepened their appreciation for the structured steps behind every great interior design project. It was a valuable learning experience that bridged classroom knowledge with real-world industry practices.

When Art Meets Science: A Captivating Talk on Iris Van Herpen’s Work

On a vibrant and engaging afternoon at the FCUC SSD Lounge, students gathered for an inspiring and thought-provoking session titled "When Art Meets Science: Iris Van Herpen", presented by Tham Su Qin, Managing Partner of Draf Architectural Media and a respected voice in the fields of design and media. The talk centered on the groundbreaking work of Dutch fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, who has become a global icon for her avant-garde creations that blend fashion, science, technology, and architecture into wearable art. With her deep curiosity and pioneering spirit, Van Herpen has redefined the boundaries of what fashion can be—moving beyond aesthetics to explore form, structure, and transformation through materials and digital innovation.

Su Qin delved into Van Herpen’s unique creative process, illustrating how she collaborates with scientists, engineers, and architects to develop intricate garments using techniques such as 3D printing, laser cutting, algorithmic design, and biomimicry. Her designs often mimic patterns found in nature—like the flow of water, the structure of bones, or the geometry of microscopic organisms—creating pieces that feel both futuristic and organic. The session also highlighted the use of experimental materials, such as magnetic polymers and transparent silks, which challenge conventional notions of fashion and function.

Many students expressed how the session expanded their creative mindset, showing them that the most exciting innovations often happen at the intersection of disciplines. They were inspired not only by Van Herpen’s visionary work but also by her boldness in collaborating across fields, exploring the unknown, and transforming complex ideas into emotionally resonant art. Ultimately, this session was more than an academic talk—it was a call to action. A call to embrace curiosity, challenge conventions, and explore how creativity can be amplified through the lens of science and technology. Students left the room with their imaginations sparked, their perspectives broadened, and their passion for innovation reignited.

Street Sketch Talk & Workshop MAY 2025

On 27 May 2025, the Faculty of Design & Built Environment at First City University College (FCUC) welcomed a distinguished guest—Simone Ridyard, Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and founder of Urban Sketchers Manchester. She led an inspiring Street Sketch Talk & Workshop for students of the Bachelor in Interior Architecture and Diploma in Interior Design programmes

Held in Room N5-03, the workshop began with Simone sharing her journey as an architect and illustrator. She emphasized the value of on-location sketching in understanding architectural spaces and urban environments. Students were captivated by her demonstrations of quick pen sketches enhanced with delicate watercolour washes

Participants then ventured outdoors, sketchbooks in hand, to apply the techniques discussed. Guided by Simone, they explored the nuances of perspective, composition, and capturing the essence of urban life through drawing. The session fostered not only technical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the built environment. Simone's visit left a profound impact on the FCUC community. Her passion for urban sketching and dedication to education resonated with students and faculty alike, inspiring a renewed enthusiasm for observational drawing in architectural studies