These 5 Southeast Asian designers are redefining traditional crafts with modern technology

Discover how these Southeast Asian designers have breathed new life into traditional craft at the Emerge @ Find talent showcase for Singapore Design Week 2023

From September 21st to September 23rd, Emerge @ Find played a pivotal role at the 2023 Singapore Design Week. Having invited over 50 designers from all across Southeast Asia, this year’s fair was focused on the theme of ‘Craft + Industry: Man + Machine.’

“Whether rooted in ancient craft, interpreting the traditional through new materials and techniques, or relying entirely on contemporary technological innovations, each piece helps to shine a light on the crosscurrents between traditional crafts, new technologies, and interdisciplinary methods,” chimes Suzy Anetta, the founding editor in chief of Design Anthology and curator of this year’s exhibition.

Here are our top 5 picks from Emerge @ Find’s 2023 design exhibition, with these designer pieces now available for purchase at emerge.design-anthology.com

1. Shoson Thatawakorn

Above Shoson Thatawakorn with his co-founder, Jarupatcha Achavasmit (Photo: Find – Design Fair Asia)

Shoson Thatawakorn majored in product design at the School of Architecture, Art and Design at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in Bangkok. After graduating, he worked for 11 years as a product designer for Alexander Lamont before establishing Ausara Surface & Textile with textile designer Jarupatcha Achavasmit in 2013.

Based on the outskirts of Bangkok, Ausara currently employs nine craftsmen and weavers to create handmade collections of textiles and wall coverings based on the two owners’ designs. The company has already gained international recognition with large-scale installations for Shangri-La Singapore, The Den Bengaluru, and Four Seasons Bangkok.

Combining traditional Thai craft with innovative fabrication techniques, Ausara brings unconventionality and a passion for exploration to its fabric and surface collections, offering a modern reinterpretation of the traditional use of precious metals in textiles.

A traditional method from thousands of years ago, Ausara showcases the beauty of this old art form (Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / ausarasurface.com)

This wallpaper panel comes with an otherworldly sheen (Photo: Studio Periphery)

(Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / ausarasurface.com)

Metal is used to create textures akin to the scales of fish and dragons (Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / ausarasurface.com)

Photo 1 of 4 A traditional method from thousands of years ago, Ausara showcases the beauty of this old art form (Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / Behance)

Photo 2 of 4 This wallpaper panel comes with an otherworldly gleam (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 3 of 4 Classic patterns are given a new sheen (Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / Behance)

Photo 4 of 4 Metal is used to create textures akin to the scales of fish and dragons (Photo: Shoson Thatawakorn / Behance)

2. Denny Pritayna

Above Denny Priyatna (Photo: plussome / Medium)

An industrial and product designer from Indonesia, Denny R Priyatna is also the founder of the Jakarta-based AIEVL design studio. Currently an alumnus of the Bandung Institute of Technology, Priyatna also has a Master’s degree from Central Saint Martins in London.

Priyatna’s designs have been exhibited internationally and won various awards, including the Silver Award at the A’ Design Award 2014–15 and two Merit Winners at the Singapore Furniture Design Award 2013.

In his current work, Priyatna is interested in exploring the limits of interaction between humans and inanimate objects, experimenting with materials and manufacturing techniques to create commercial, conceptual, and experimental products.

The Eum Stool is made from engraving patterns into upholstery foam to create a texture resembling stone. The patterns are reinterpretations of traditional Indonesian patterns, such as Kawung and Parang (Photo: Denny Priyatna)

This curious wall-mounted decor is certainly a conversation starter (Photo: Denny Priyatna)

Closeup of the wall-mounted decor that is also created using upholstery foam (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 1 of 3 The Eum Stool is made from engraving patterns into upholstery foam to create a texture resembling stone. The patterns are reinterpretations of traditional Indonesian patterns, such as Kawung and Parang (Photo: Instagram / @aievl)

Photo 2 of 3 This curious wall-mounted decor is certainly a conversation starter (Photo: Instagram / @aievl)

Photo 3 of 3 These Meraphy Wall Lights are created by engraving upholstery foam to create depth and pattern (Photo: Studio Periphery)

3. Hendro Hadinata

Above Hendro Hadinata (Photo: Shooting Gallery)

The founder of Studio Hendro Hadinata and Every Furniture, Hendro Hadinata’s designs feature collaborative works between local designers and craftsmen, reflecting the brand’s core values of creative innovation in collaboration with local expertise.

Gaining international recognition for his work, Hadinata has showcased his designs at leading global design exhibitions, such as Maison & Objet, the International Furniture Fair Tokyo, and CASA Indonesia.

Incorporating many traditional techniques from the local craftsmen in his hometown, Hadinata’s designs carry a modern aesthetic that originates from cultural themes. When asked about his creative process, Hadinata looks at cultural references of his hometown to see how the past can be used as an answer to the present.

The glass side table is made using traditional glassblowing methods from Hadinata's home region (Photo: Studio Periphery)

The Undan Coffee Table uses metal weaving techniques from the Sumba region, shaped similar to monumental ornaments of the Hindu-Buddhism era (Photo: Hendro Hadinata / hendrohadinata.com)

An experimental piece that showcases the skills of Balinese glassmakers (Photo: Hendro Hadinata / hendrohadinata.com)

Photo 1 of 3 The glass side table is made using traditional glassblowing methods from Hadinata's home region (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 2 of 3 The Undan Coffee Table uses metal weaving techniques from the Sumba region, shaped similar to monumental ornaments of the Hindu-Buddhism era (Photo: Find – Design Fair Asia)

Photo 3 of 3 An experimental piece that showcases the skills of Balinese glassmakers (Photo: Find – Design Fair Asia)

4. Tiffany Loy

Tiffany Loy (Photography: Studio Periphery)

Above Tiffany Loy (Photo: Shooting Gallery)

Trained in industrial design in Singapore and textile weaving in Kyoto, Tiffany Loy graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with an MA in textiles and specialises in weaving. In 2018, Loy received the DesignSingapore Scholarship and won the Design Anthology Award for Textiles the following year.

Since founding her studio in 2014, Tiffany has exhibited her experimental works at venues such as the Singapore Art Museum, the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, and Triennale Milano.

Her background in product and textile design has led to her unique approach to creating materials with minute details, emphasising their overall impact in the larger, spatial context.

Don't miss: History Unravelled: Textile artist Marcos Kueh explores what it means to be Sarawakian

In a project titled 'Lines in Space II', Loy explores the potentials of embroidery techniques to create 3D forms (Photo: Fabian Ong)

Loy's works that were featured as part of DesignSingapore Council's April 2023 exhibition and reprised at Singapore Design Week 2023 (Photo: Stefan Gifthaler)

Raised textures in Loy's weaving are a signature of her current work (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Forever learning, Loy is constantly experimenting with form and colour (Photo: Chronicler Photography)

Photo 1 of 4 In a project titled ‘Lines in Space II’, Loy explores the potentials of embroidery techniques to create 3D forms (Photo: Instagram / @tffnyly)

Photo 2 of 4 Loy’s works that were featured as part of DesignSingapore Council’s April 2023 exhibition and reprised at Singapore Design Week 2023 (Photo: Instagram / @tffnyly)

Photo 3 of 4 Abaca paper and polyester are weaved together to create perceivable depth (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 4 of 4 Forever learning, Loy is constantly experimenting with form and colour (Photo: Chronicler Photography)

5. Budiman Ong

Budiman Ong (https://designdemic.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/budiman-ong-of-ong-cen-kuang-bali-talks-beyond-material-exploration-nature-or-culture-storyofdesign/)

Above Budiman Ong (Photo: Instagram / @budimanong)

Born and raised in North Sumatra, Budiman Ong is a graduate of Gray’s School of Art in the UK. In 2008, he founded Ong Cen Kuang (OCK), focusing on quality handmade decorative lighting. Ong and his team at OCK have created a strong collection of original pieces that reflect Ong’s core design principles, one that respects both the production process and the unique characteristics of the materials used.

Founding Jia by OCK, a local home accessories and styling brand, in 2020 with his two friends, Jia aims to build and sustain a healthy ecosystem of creative communities within Indonesia.

Since young, Ong has always been drawn to lighting. Using this obsession to inspire his latest designs, his creations at the 2023 Emerge @ Find design exhibition fuse traditional craft with modern elements to form timeless and innovative products.

Don't miss: Mood Board: How Gabriel Scott Designs Beautiful Lighting Inspired by Jewellery

Ong uses traditional techniques to create a variety of shapes and patterns (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Simplicity at its finest (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 1 of 4 The folds of this lampshade are meticulously crafted by hand to mimic traditional Chinese lanterns (Photo: Instagram / @ongcenkuang)

Photo 2 of 4 Ong uses traditional folding techniques to create his Lipat Floor Lamp (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 3 of 4 Intricate details are highlighted amidst the simple backdrop for this Mekar Floor Lamp (Photo: Studio Periphery)

Photo 4 of 4 Inspired by the natural spirals found in coral, the Terumbu Rug is a visual feast for the senses (Photo: Instagram / @jiabyock)

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Topics

Southeast Asian Designers Southeast Asia Furniture Cultural Reimagination Southeast Asia Innovation

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