Champion: Teh posing for a photo with his mock cheque and winning compact sedan design.
Compact sedans have carved a niche as the preferred choice for budget-conscious consumers, offering a balanced three-box design that incorporates the engine bonnet, cabin and trunk.
The allure of a compact sedan design extends beyond aesthetics, encompassing functionality, practicality and ergonomic considerations, making them a cornerstone of the automotive industry.
In the realm of innovative design, Bryan Teh Yea Quan, a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design student at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), has demonstrated exceptional prowess.
Following the 21-year-old’s victory in the rim design challenge of 2022, Teh added another feather to his cap by clinching the champion title in the student category of the inaugural Asian Compact Sedan Design Challenge (ACSDC) 2023.
The ACSDC, co-organised by Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), Malaysia, and the Malaysia Design Council (MRM), attracted 93 entries from seven Asian countries.
This unique challenge, guided by Perodua’s chief designer Muhamad Zamuren Musa, presented an unprecedented opportunity for designers to redefine the future of compact sedan design.
At the forefront of Teh’s success is Saifullizan Abdul Wahab, an industrial professional turned lecturer at the APU School of Media Arts and Design (SoMAD).
His keen understanding of global automotive design trends played a pivotal role in shaping Teh’s creative journey. With over a decade of experience in education, Saifullizan, who specialises in transport design, cites physical 3D modelling, 2D and 3D software as his areas of expertise.
“A good automotive design is characterised by a combination of aesthetic appeal, functionality, innovation and practicality.
“The ultimate goal is to create a car that not only meets contemporary standards but also has the potential to become an iconic presence on future roads,” said Saifullizan, who was with Perodua Automotive Manufacturing for 14 years.
Choosing to participate in the ACSDC 2023 together, Teh and Saifullizan embraced the competition’s ethos of encouraging designers to test their talents and explore different design philosophies.
The event, held on Dec 19, prompted participants to view themselves as pioneers, envisioning innovative solutions and integrating cutting-edge technologies into their designs.
Teh’s remarkable achievements, including the rim design challenge and ACSDC 2023 victory, have not only showcased his skills but also significantly contributed to APU’s reputation for nurturing and producing talented designers.
Fuelled by this success, Teh envisions a future career in automotive design.
“I have learnt that automotive design is where my talent lies. Moving forward, I am driven to leave a lasting mark in the field of automotive design,” he enthused.
Aiming for greater heights, Teh aspires to pioneer innovative ideas, infuse fresh perspectives into car design, and explore sustainable avenues that push creative boundaries.
Expressing his gratitude for Saifullizan’s guidance during the competition, Teh said the input had a profound impact on refining his ideas, which led to the ACSDC 2023 win.
The competition saw Alfred Han Wen Hao (Universiti Malaysia Kelantan) securing the first runner-up spot and Muhammad Amin Othman (Universiti Teknologi Mara) named second runner-up.
