Golden Pin Salons Spark Creative Buzz in Bangkok & KL

The “Design Perspectives × Golden Pin Salon” by the Golden Pin Design Award has expanded its Asian tour this year, hosting five events across Shanghai, Shenzhen, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Taipei. These gatherings aim to promote international and cross-cultural design exchanges. In May, the tour revisited Malaysia and Thailand, with salons held on the 14th and 16th respectively, featuring prominent creatives from across Asia.

The five speakers included Johnason Lo, founder of Taiwan’s JL DESIGN; Wei Chen, project architect at Metahouse Architects & Associates; Yao, co-founder of the acclaimed design collective 1983ASIA; Thai architect Chatpong Chuenrudeemol, the 2020 Silpathorn Award laureate in the field of architecture; and Krit Phutpim, founder of Dots Design Studio. The events, accessible both online and in-person, drew nearly 500 attendees, generating significant enthusiasm and engagement.

Yao from 1983ASIA: Embracing the Diversity of Asian Cultures

Yao from 1983ASIA

The Kuala Lumpur event, in collaboration with Tsubaki Studio and media partner CUTOUT Magazine, explores the theme “Cultural Connections in Design: Exploring New Territories.” The salon aims to investigate how design bridges cross-disciplinary collaboration, facilitates cultural exchange, and nurtures innovation.

Malaysian speaker Yao, co-founder of 1983ASIA with his Chinese partner Su Su, expanded their design firm from visual design to include branding, key visuals, mascots, packaging, and art crossovers. The session commenced with a captivating showreel of their notable works spanning 12 years. Yao then delved into the establishment of the “Asia Aesthetics Institute,” emphasizing their focus on Asian culture and design aesthetics, which drives their diverse ventures. This includes the launch of the unique floral shirt brand “MASH UP!!! ASIA,” and the organization of exhibitions and forums like “Amazing Asia” and “ASIA GOOD DESIGN” to foster engagement within the Asian design community.

GP Salon in KL

Reflecting on his studies in China and work experience in Hong Kong, Yao shared his experience of being encouraged to “reduce color,” contrasting with the vibrant designs prevalent in Malaysia. This “cultural shock” prompted him to explore how regional environments influence design aesthetics, leading to his research initiative. Based on his personal experiences and observations, Yao concluded that Asian design embodies wisdom and love, fostering inclusiveness that transcends boundaries between people. It promotes a way of living that respects diverse backgrounds of peace, ethnicity, and culture.

Chatpong Chuenrudeemol: “Bastards” Angsila Fishing Village’s Bold Architectural Experiment

Chatpong Chuenrudeemol

The Bangkok event, in partnership with the Golden Pin Design Award’s Thai media partner “art4d” for the first time, is themed “Unlocking Creative Potential: Values, ideas, and attitudes that shape a new design territory for a better world.” It invites design practitioners from diverse backgrounds to explore innovative approaches to contemporary challenges, aiming to create meaningful transformations through creative thinking.

Chatpong Chuenrudeemol, director at CHAT architects, is among the local speakers introducing his “Bangkok Bastards” architectural research project. It examines how people devise innovative solutions for everyday problems, such as constructing makeshift bridges using two boats, showcasing grassroots ingenuity. Chatpong extensively documents these seemingly unconventional designs, analyzing their local context and integrating insights into his architectural work.

Speakers for GP Salon in Bangkok

GP Salon in Bangkok

He then focuses on the “Angsila Oyster Scaffolding Pavilion,” last year’s recipient of the Best Design Award from the Golden Pin Design Award. They delve deeply into the challenges faced by the declining fishing village and explore how to draw inspiration from residents’ daily lives and traditional crafts. They integrate structures and functions from local oyster scaffolds, the jellyfish house, and the oyster farm “Security Guard” outpost, while also incorporating discarded safety belts from nearby factories and traditional textiles.

Ultimately, they create a maritime leisure space that evolves from traditional culture, where tourists can experience and taste fresh seafood, interact with fishermen, and immerse themselves in local culture. This new landscape, crafted by local residents, revitalizes local tourism and instills a new sense of identity and initiative among the fishermen’s next generation.

Krit Phutpim: The Social Value and Innovation of Product Design

Krit Phutpim

Thai product designer Krit Phutpim, in his two-decade journey with Dots Design Studio, shared his passion for using design to address various challenges. He emphasized how religion, materials, and lifestyles can inspire design solutions. For example, he repurposes discarded plastic into Buddhist amulets, connecting this to recycling initiatives that promote plastic donation as a meritorious act. These amulets, available in different colors and materials, also appeal to younger generations less engaged in religious practices.

Moreover, Phutpim highlighted two products that won Golden Pin Design Awards last year. The first, “DOTS KAYAK,” utilizes Thai woodworking techniques and bamboo to create aesthetically pleasing, lightweight kayaks with fine textures. The second product, the SWEEPER wireless mouse, is designed for individuals with disabilities. Developed through meticulous user experience research, it enables foot operation, significantly reducing barriers for those unable to use their hands with conventional tech products.

Johnason Lo: The Key to Innovation Lies in Asking the Right Questions

Johnason Lo for GP Salon in KL

Two Taiwanese designers also took part in the salons held in Thailand and Malaysia, enriching the design dialogue and fostering exchange. Johnason Lo, a designer and entrepreneur with extensive experience in creativity and large-scale management, engaged the audience with his theme “DESIGN YOURSELF,” sharing an inspiring narrative from Taiwan.

Lo initiated the introduction of motion design to Taiwan, detailing how they crafted unprecedented visual experiences in commercial projects, setting new standards. He then delved deeper into the potential of motion design, illustrating their contributions to major award ceremonies like Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards and Golden Horse Awards, thus amplifying the significance of design aesthetics to the public. Additionally, he recounted his experiences integrating design into traditional securities firms, enabling comprehensive corporate transformations and innovative approaches to communicating financial concepts to society. Lo stressed the importance of starting with the right questions rather than just seeking answers in each innovation.

Johnason Lo for GP Salon in Bangkok

Lo emphasized that despite the seemingly distinct phases, they all share a common objective: to enrich Taiwan through exceptional design and dispel entrenched stereotypes like “ghost island” or “aesthetic desert.” Whether branching into music and video production from motion design, founding an animation and special effects company, or fostering interdisciplinary collaborations at major ceremonies for Taiwanese designers and filmmakers, each endeavor aimed to showcase the vibrancy and value of contemporary Taiwanese design. Ultimately, these efforts seek to provide a platform for design talent to thrive and gain recognition.

Wei Chen: Innovating Public Spaces Through Bodily Perception

Wei Chen for GP Salon in Bangkok

Wei Chen, another speaker from Taiwan, commenced her presentation by guiding the audience on a visual expedition across Taiwan’s rural landscapes, mountains, and urban areas. Stressing the significance of the sensory encounters within this terrain as a primary wellspring of inspiration for her designs, she proceeded to unveil insights from her team’s endeavors, spanning residential constructions to public amenities like the restrooms adjacent to the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts.

Chen elucidated on their methodology, elucidating how they prioritize the human sensory experience to guide their spatial design choices. She elaborated on the case study of “The Recycling Center in Kaohsiung Municipal Guang Wu Primary School,” delineating how their design approach redefined the conventional perception of school recycling facilities. Through transparent spatial configurations, meticulous circulation planning, and landscape integration harmonizing with the surroundings, the project not only revitalized the area but also aspired to instill positive habits and environmental stewardship among students.

Speakers & Tsubaki Studio for GP Salon in KL

In her concluding remarks, Chen underscored the belief that architecture wields a profound influence on human behavior, consequently reshaping the dynamic between architecture and its surroundings. She emphasized that each space harbors a unique narrative, awaiting exploration and immersion.

Final Stop: Taipei Session Coming Soon!

The 2024 Golden Pin Salon in Bangkok has wrapped up with success! Now, the tour heads back to Taipei for its grand finale. Join us on Saturday, June 1st, at Not Just Library, where esteemed designers Irobe Yoshiaki from Japan, Javin Mo from Hong Kong, and Henry Lin from Taiwan will explore “Urban Culture and Design Aesthetics.” This enlightening session will be moderated by Taiwan’s renowned designer Feng Yu. Seats are filling up quickly, so seize the opportunity now!

The 2024 Golden Pin Design Award is open for submissions across four categories: Product, Communication, Spatial, and Integrated Design. Take advantage of the early bird discount by registering and paying by 5:00 PM on June 7th (GMT+8 Taipei Time). The final submission deadline is 5:00 PM on June 26th (GMT+8 Taipei Time).