Malaysian mother of four wins design award for animal-themed armrest cushions

Based in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Jamilah is an entrepreneur under the guidance of the South East Johor Development Authority (Kejora). Photo: Bernama (left) and Facebook/Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia

After seeing the market potential for children’s toys made from fabrics, a 57-year-old mother of four jumped onto the craft-making scene in 2017.

Jamilah Yahya, who took up sewing as a hobby, started to create various products using batik and the tie-dye technique such as soft toys, pencil cases, tissue boxes and small pillows with an animal theme that are popular with children.

Jamilah managed to sell over 1,000 units of her recent craftwork, armrest cushions with an animal theme, enabling her to win a design award at the Malaysia Good Design Award (MGDA) 2021 hosted by the Malaysian Design Council (MRM) in Putrajaya on July 19.

There are five variations of cushions featuring different animals such as tiger, koala bear and rabbit, measuring 50cm by 9cm, made using cotton fabric and felt as well as fibre, which are sold at RM35 to RM45 per cushion. – Photo: Facebook/Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia

MGDA is the highest recognition from the government for the design industry in its efforts to support products that focus on good design as an important criterion in their production practice.

When met after the ceremony, Jamilah expressed her gratitude for being selected to win the award, adding that her hard work had finally paid off.

"I have also received orders from a large company for 60,000 units of the armrest cushions but have yet to agree as the cushions are made by hand, not using sewing machines,” she said, adding that she would normally hire between 20 and 30 workers whenever she receives orders in large quantities.

There are five variations of cushions featuring different animals such as tiger, koala bear and rabbit, measuring 50cm by 9cm, made using cotton fabric and felt as well as fibre, which are sold at RM35 to RM45 per cushion.

Based in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Jamilah is an entrepreneur under the guidance of the South East Johor Development Authority (Kejora) and receives funding from the Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga (Tekun Nasional).

At the ceremony, for the first time, 16 individuals were awarded the Certified Industrial Designer (CIDe), which is the highest recognition for local industrial designers. All 16 designers will use the CIDe title attached to their names.

Based in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Jamilah is an entrepreneur under the guidance of the South East Johor Development Authority (Kejora). Photo: Bernama

Universiti Teknologi Mara deputy vice-chancellor (Industry, Community and Alumni Network) Prof Dr Mohamad Hariri Abdullah, who is also one of the CIDe recipients involved in automotive designs, said the award would boost the role of designers in driving the growth of the country’s design industry.

Mohamad Hariri, who is also the Industrial Designers Society of Malaysia president, said design industry players must have the courage to innovate products through continuous study and research so that the products can be marketed, adding that they should come up with their creations under the ‘Own Design, Own Brand’ category instead of the Original Equipment Manufacturer' (OEM).

Meanwhile, MGDA 2021 programme head Zulfar Jaafar said the best design award looks at the aspects of product originality, durability, aesthetic value as well as the manufacturing process from start to finish.

He said individuals eyeing to obtain the CIDe recognition will have to undergo certain processes so that only eligible candidates are recognised, adding that the MRM secretariat will provide a special portal to facilitate the application for the recognition. – Bernama