Southeast Asia’s Foremost Designers converge on EMERGE @ FIND for Singapore Design Week 2023

Following the remarkable success of its debut, the Southeast Asian design talent exhibition is set to make a comeback at EMERGE @ FIND from September 21 to 23, 2023. The event, a prominent highlight of Singapore Design Week, is proudly presented by DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) and backed by FIND – Design Fair Asia.

EMERGE @ FIND is geared up to assemble over 50 of the region's most captivating designers, showcasing their specially crafted creations across an expansive 800 sqm exhibition space. Under the curation of Suzy Annetta, this year's theme, 'CRAFT + INDUSTRY: MAN + MACHINE,' will build on last year's exploration of Materiality. The forthcoming works will span a wide spectrum, ranging from handcrafted pieces to industrial and mass-produced designs.

Suzy Annetta elaborates, "This collection presents Southeast Asian designers and artists who draw from diverse approaches - be it rooted in age-old crafts, reinterpreting traditions with innovative materials and techniques, or embracing contemporary technological innovation. Each piece, whether fully developed or experimental, embodies a profound thought process that illuminates the interplay between traditional craftsmanship, modern technologies, and interdisciplinary methods."

This edition promises a rich diversity of design talent, featuring both returning and emerging designers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The showcase will spotlight various design methodologies and materials. Among the newcomers are talents like Tan Wei Xiang from Singapore, Hana Surya of Threadapeutic from Indonesia, and Thanh Tam Nguyen Tran of Tam's Studio from Vietnam, who are eagerly anticipating their debut on this influential platform.

EMERGE serves as an ideal platform for these emerging designers to establish themselves in the design community, as affirmed by Thanh Tam Nguyen Tran: "EMERGE is a perfect launching pad for Southeast Asian designers to make a name for themselves in the design community."

The exhibition not only brings together fresh talents but also offers an opportunity for returning designers to launch innovative products and present new concepts. The collaborative nature of the event, as expressed by Teerapoj Teeropas from Thailand, highlights the synergy between designers and craftsmen in elevating designs from paper to reality.

As Carl Press, Event Director of FIND – Design Fair Asia, puts it, "We are excited to welcome so many talented craftsmen and women to FIND this year. The diversity, creativity, and inimitable artistry on display illustrate again how bright the future of design in Asia really is."

Dawn Lim, Executive Director of Dsg, emphasizes the broader significance of the event for the region: "Singapore has always connected people, ideas, and trades as an international hub and the gateway to Asia. We’re proud to present this year’s edition of EMERGE @ FIND, and believe this showcase will propel the region further on the global design landscape."

The return of the Southeast Asian design talent showcase is poised to be a standout event, uniting creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation on a singular stage, firmly establishing the region's prowess in the global design scene.