THREE university students impressed judges with their entries for the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition (FDC) 2026.
Their entries stood out among 138 designs from 37 design institutions and private firms.
The competition, a flagship event of MIFF, challenged designers under 40 to design bedroom furniture for children aged five to nine, with the theme “Playful. Practical. Purposeful: Furniture for Generation Alpha”.
Each designer was required to design five pieces that would appeal to both Gen Alpha and their Millennial parents.
Jessica Antonius, 19, who studies industrial design at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, won RM5,000 with her interactive and integrated “ROEL” set.
Her playful design features a bunk bed that comes with monkey bars and sliding shelf section.
“A playground is a space where children like to play, so I decided to make my design fun.
“The shelf can be slid horizontally and become an interactive ‘door’ for children to enter the lower part of the bunk bed,” she said during the MIFF 2026 Award ceremony at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur.
In second place was 22-year-old Doo Jade Qi, whose “GLORB” set features a combination of science-fiction and anime in visuals.
Calling her style minimalist, she said, “The pieces don’t have fancy features, which I believe is also what parents want – furniture that is easy use.”
Doo, who studies industrial design at Malaysian Institute of Arts, won RM3,000 in cash.
Teh Jian Yin, 22, won third prize and RM2,000 for her “Reka Reka Series” which drew inspiration from Lego sets as well as video games Roblox and Minecraft.
The design with the slogan “Growth with the Kids” allows children to customise pieces as they grow.
“It can be used by children from ages five to when they are teenagers.
“A major highlight is the Cong Kidz table inspired by our traditional game congkak.
“Gen Alpha is always exposed to technology, so I added some cultural elements,” said Teh, who studies interior design at The One Academy Penang.
MIFF FDC 2026 chief judge Dr Eric Leong said he had seen substantial growth in the participants throughout the past 16 years of competition.
He said next year’s theme would be pet-friendly furniture.
The ceremony also saw prize presentations for Best Presentation Award and Furniture Excellence Award to recognise creative excellence in exhibitors and emerging talents at MIFF 2026, which took place earlier this month.
Also present were MIFF founder and chairman Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat, Plantation and Commodities Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Razali Mohammad and Muar Furniture Association president Steve Ong.
