Thinking Out Loud with John Jong, Founder of Thinkscape 

In celebration of Thinkscape’s 25th silver jubilee, John Jong chats about the design powerhouse’s colourful journey throughout the years and its secrets to perpetual success, all while unveiling just a tad about the charismatic leading man himself.  

In the glittering world of design where creativity meets innovation, Thinkscape Design Works Sdn Bhd recently threw the ultimate bash to celebrate its 25th year of pushing the boundaries of imagination. The whimsicality of the yellow dress code, in honour of the multiple award-winning firm’s corporate colour, served as an inspiring canvas for personal creativity and group connectivity. 

John Jong, Founder of Thinkscape

A multiple award-winning Sarawak-born Malaysian who remains a fervent proponent of multidisciplinary collaboration, the always enigmatic John Jong is the mastermind behind Thinkscape Design Works Sdn Bhd. Known for his human-centric, hands-on approach and provocative conceptual thinking that goes beyond the conventional, the founder of the international design office based out of Kuala Lumpur is active in developing new ideas in design-led innovation and placemaking … making brand environments work since the year 2000. 

Whether its conceptualising the interior design for the collaborative “Escape by Etiqa,” crafting the “moving fabric”-inspired facade of LBS headquarters in Selangor or positioning the corporate brand identities of Sarawak oil company PETROS and the iconic fashion eyewear brand O.W.L., Thinkscape’s vastly diverse portfolio sonorously echoes John’s commitment to tackling challenges with his own concoction of brilliance. Each inspiring piece of work manages to captivate the imagination with a distinct twist, all while remaining culturally relevant and aligned with the clientele’s vision.

What is your design principle that contributes to Thinkscape’s success?

First of all, our multidisciplinary approach which draws expertise from various fields — architecture, interior design, digital and print media, technology, cultural contexts and brand insights — enables us to create more holistic and impactful designs. It encourages boundary-pushing ideas and innovative problem-solving, ensuring that our statement-making designs are aesthetically pleasing and functional, technologically advanced, culturally relevant and sustainable as possible.

Believing that good design goes beyond aesthetic appeal, we also design with purpose, in ways that not only respect, reflect and resonate with people’s lives, histories and cultures but also serve a function, tells a story and positively impacts the environment and society. By doing so, we ensure that our designs feel meaningful, relatable, engaging and fosters a sense of belonging and connection for the people who inhabit them.

What are Thinkscape’s forte and plans moving forward?

We’ve carved a niche in Commercial Workplace consultancy in recent years. Our expertise in this area has grown tremendously, allowing us to cater to diverse clients, from medium-sized businesses to large MNC corporate offices. Our AI-integrated approach goes beyond mere space planning; we understand our client’s organisational culture, workflow and future aspirations, resulting in workspaces that are functional and foster creativity, collaboration and well-being. 

Looking ahead, we set to broaden our horizons by venturing into new areas of the design landscape, more specifically the F&B and bespoke retail brand scenes. The first, with its ever-evolving consumer preferences and trends, presents an exciting challenge to create dining experiences that are not just about food but about creating memorable, sensory experiences. Similarly, the second, which demands the physical store experience to be more engaging and immersive to compete in an era of online shopping, opens the door for us to create retail spaces that tell a story, evoke emotions and provide a unique journey that strengthens a place’s identity, brand experience and customer loyalty.

How do you create a conducive working place to maximise productivity?

Creating a productive workspace requires understanding and balancing the employees’ needs with the organisation’s goals. As a result, we’ve incorporated a multifaceted strategy that combines a thoughtful/flexible approach to design which takes different working styles, the hybrid working model and the need for rest and social interaction into account; a commitment to ergonomics, health and well-being for maximum physical and psychological comfort; and a willingness to embrace technology and sustainability for the sake of advanced efficiency and a progressive culture. 

A well-designed space can also boost morale, encourage team cohesion and foster a sense of belonging. At Thinkscape, we consider all of these factors equally integral to our design process, ensuring that the conducive workspaces we create are both aesthetically, and functionally, pleasing for the benefit of all.  

When you’re not busy working, what activities do you indulge in?

When I step away from the demands of work, I am deeply committed to personal growth and exploration. In fact, one of my guiding principles is to learn a new skill every year. One of them involves a thrilling and challenging but also tranquil and inspiring journey into the ocean’s depths, having recently pursued my PADI diving licence which has since culminated in my certification as a rescue diver. My passion for this pursuit runs so deep that even my next ideal holiday destination would be a diver’s paradise – a liveaboard experience in both the Maldives and Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

On a more casual note, I find great joy and appreciation in exploring the wonderful world of wines. I frequently gather with good friends to study and savour different varieties, making each meeting a social and sensory learning experience. In addition to these pursuits, I am committed to expanding my intellectual and imaginative horizons through reading, having set a personal goal to read at least one book every two months. All these activities are integral to who I am. They allow me to disconnect from the rigours of my professional life, provide me with fresh perspectives and help me maintain a balanced and fulfilling life. 

What are the three things you can’t live without?

My phone, sketch pen and reading glasses. 

If you are not a designer, what else would you be?

A film director. I’ve always wanted to be one, for I enjoy the art of storytelling. I think it’s very much akin to the way we approach design at Thinkscape — people like to hear stories, spaces have stories and everything we touch has a story.

For more information please visit :

thinkscapegroup.com