Future Design Star Award Talk Series Inspires Aspiring Interior Designers

As part of the Future Design Star Award initiative, the Faculty of Design and Built Environment hosted the Dialogue with Design Organizations talk series on 25th June 2025.

The event featured two notable speakers from award-winning local design firms: Syahir Ali, Co-founder of Kort Studio, and Vienna Chew, Design Director of Millimetre Design. They shared their professional journeys, design philosophies, and insights into the challenges and evolving trends within Malaysia’s interior design industry. Their award-winning project highlights offered students a rare look into real-world expectations and creative problem-solving in practice.

An engaging ‘Ask Me Anything’ session followed, allowing students to connect directly with the speakers. “Hearing directly from award-winning designers was incredibly inspiring,” said Ong Jing Zhi from Diploma in Interior Design while Lim Tong Ern from the same programme noted, “The session helped me understand the importance of branding and professionalism as a designer.”

The session reinforced First City University College’s commitment to equipping students with industry-relevant knowledge and meaningful exposure beyond the classroom. With inspiring takeaways and practical insights, the talk left students more motivated and better prepared to pursue their future in interior design.