The final stop of the 2025 Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon Asia Tour will take place in Kuala Lumpur on April 28–29. Co-organized once again with Tsubaki Studio, this year’s KL event brings together creative voices from Taiwan and Malaysia for a two-day exchange on design, creativity, and cultural dialogue.

 

From Taiwan, Borden Tseng, director of Q-LAB, and Brian Liu, creative director of Local Remote, will join the lineup. Representing Malaysia are designers from leading studios including TKCA Architects S/B, Blu Water Studio, AR/VR specialists Experiential Design Team (EDT), and graphic designer Magdalene Wong. The program promises a rich exchange of perspectives across disciplines and borders.

　　　　

Human-Centred Futures: Design at the Confluence of Technology Advancements and Tradition

 

Since 2015, the Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon has been an ongoing initiative by the Golden Pin Design Award to foster meaningful dialogue across the design community. By inviting past award winners and outstanding creatives from across Asia, the Salon serves as a platform for sharing design philosophies, professional insights, and reflections on pressing contemporary issues—continuously expanding the depth and breadth of design conversations.

 

As we navigate an era transformed by artificial intelligence (AI), the 2025 KL event will center on the theme "Human-Centred Futures: Design at the Confluence of Technological Advancements and Tradition," examining how technology can enhance rather than replace human creativity and cultural context. The theme explores design at the intersection of technological advancement and tradition, showcasing how designers can create meaningful innovations that honour cultural heritage while embracing future possibilities. The salon will feature two distinct sessions, each examining different aspects of this dynamic discourse.

　　　　　　

Session 1: “Something Old and Something New: Giving Places New Life”

　　　　　　　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: Ar. Rien Tan, Director of TKCA Architects S/B, Malaysia

 

With professional experience spanning Osaka, Taipei, and New York, Tan brings an international perspective to his architectural practice. Since 2020, he has served as PAM Council member and was honoured as Malaysia’s Emerging Architect and "Augustman of the Year" in Art & Design.

 

Under his leadership, TKCA focuses on innovation and social impact, working across a range of building types including community spaces, industrial facilities, commercial offices, and housing. The firm has received numerous accolades, including the UIA 2030 Award, Seoul Design Award and MCIEA. In 2024, TKCA’s Skyblox Co-Living Housing was awarded a Golden Pin Design Award and shortlisted for Best Design of the Year, recognized for its creative approach to shared urban living.

　　　　　　　　

TKCA Architects’ work - Skyblox Co-Living Housing

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: IDr. Lai Siew Hong, Co-founder and Chief Executive Designer of Blu Water, Malaysia

 

IDr Lai Siew Hong is a veteran in the interior design industry with over 30 years of experience, specializing in hospitality projects. Known for his narrative-driven, sensorial approach to spatial design, his portfolio includes acclaimed works such as W Kuala Lumpur and The Edison George Town, both of which have received international recognition.

 

IDr Lai served as President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) from 2022 to 2024 and has long been committed to design education and mentorship. He has taught at Taylor’s University, mentored emerging talent at The One Academy, and played a key role in organizing the MIID REKA Conference. His human-centric approach to sustainable design has earned him recognition as Asia's Most Influential Designer (DOTY 2020).

　　　　　　　　

Blu Water's work -  CapsuleTransit MAX, KLIA2

　　　　　

Session 2: “From Inner Worlds to Visual Art: Translating Imagination into Digital Assets”

 　　　　　　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: Magdalene Wong, Graphic Designer of Where’s Gut Studio, Malaysia

 

Magdalene champions sustainable business models and human-centered design that address human equality, animal rights, cultural preservation, and environmental issues. Her portfolio spans brand identities, print materials, digital interfaces, and sign-age systems developed in collaboration with professional organizations, retailers, and brands.

 

Her recent projects, including A Year of Growth—a Lunar New Year gift set—and the publication Sustainability is a Pain in the *, reflect this approach and were both recognized by the 2023–2024 Golden Pin Design Award for their thoughtful integration of concept and design.

　　　　　　　　

Magdalene Wong's work - Sustainability is a Pain in the *

　　　　　　　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: Fariz Hanapiah, Co-founder and Creative Tech Director of Experiential Design Team (EDT)

 

Specialising in AR/VR development and innovations in the Metaverse, Fariz began coding at age thirteen. His passion for merging arts with technology led him to establish EDT in 2018, focusing on real-time graphics, virtual production, and developing virtual worlds for future content consumption. 

 

Fariz currently creates immersive experiences for entertainment and brand engagement through products like Wayang Mind, offering therapy and meditation via extended reality (XR), and Hoomans, AI-powered avatars designed for customer service and AI agents.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

EDT’s project CheritAR uses AR to let users interact with cultural landmarks and discover the city’s rich heritage.

　　　　　　　　　　　　

Taiwanese Designers Bring Vibrancy to Salon Events

 

The salon will feature Taiwanese designers, bringing a fresh international perspective to the discussions and collaborations. 

　　　　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: Borden Tseng, the Director of Q-LAB Architects, Taiwan

 

Borden Tseng previously worked at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in New York before returning to Taiwan to establish his own practice. Q-LAB’s work spans architecture, landscape, and interiors, with a portfolio that includes sports venues, hotels, commercial spaces, universities, and residential developments. 

 

The firm has received accolades from Architizer A+, the World Architecture Festival (WAF), and Japan’s Good Design Award. In 2024, Q-LAB received a Golden Pin Design Award for The Chudong Parking Structure, a project that draws from Hakka cultural elements and explores the integration of local context with urban systems.

　　　　　　　　　　　　

Q-LAB's work - The Chudong Parking Structure

　　　　　

- Invited Speaker: Brian Liu, Founder & Creative Director of Local Remote, Taiwan

 

Brian Liu brings extensive experience from global brands including Nike, Google Creative Lab, 2x4, and Manual Creative. After returning to Taiwan, he co-founded Local Remote, focusing on brand strategy and visual integration across online and offline platforms. 

 

His team has led key projects such as the 2022 Taiwan Design Expo visual identity, rebranding efforts for Mr. Brown Coffee and Ikari Coffee, and the brand system for the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA). In 2022, their packaging design for Dermal Solution received a Golden Pin Design Award. Beyond Local Remote, Brian has co-founded ventures like Local Local, a hospitality brand, exploring the intersection business and design. 

　　　　　　　　　

Brian Liu of Local Remote also co-founded the hospitality brand Local Local, exploring the intersection of design and business.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Join the Golden Pin Salon Now and Be A Part of the Conversation!

 

The “Design Perspectives x Golden Pin Salon Kuala Lumpur 2025” will take place over two evenings: April 28 at PAM Centre and April 29 at The Toffee. Both sessions run from 19:00 to 21:00 (GMT+8). Admission is free, and registration is available online. A livestream will also be provided—follow the Golden Pin Design Award on Facebook for the latest updates.

　　　　　　　　

Submissions Now Open for the 2025 Golden Pin Design Award

 

The 2025 Golden Pin Design Award and Golden Pin Concept Design Award are now open for entries. Designers at all stages—from established professionals to rising talents—are invited to submit works in Product Design, Communication Design, Spatial Design, and Integration Design. Winning entries will gain opportunities for international exposure, build industry partnerships, and reach new markets across Asia.

 

The submission period closes at 5:00 PM (GMT+8) on June 24, 2025. Entries completed by May 20 are eligible for an early bird discount. Visitwww.goldenpin.org.tw for full details and entry guidelines.

　　　　　　

Event Information