11 distinguished personalities have been appointed as members of the International Furniture Design Advisory Panel of the SFIC to help catapult the Council’s design initiatives to greater heights.

Chaired by Mr Simon Ong of Kingsmen Projects Pte Ltd, the panel comprises of nine local and two international design/industry gurus from the design community, namely:


LOCAL

SIMON ONG
As the managing partner and principal designer of Kingsmen Creatives Ltd, Simon Ong provides overseas strategic direction for the growth of the Group. Simon is also actively involved in the creative industry, including having held the position of President of the Interior Designers Association of Singapore (1995-1997) and Executive Committee Member of Singapore Furniture Industries Council (2002 - Present).

He is presently also a member of Advisory Committee of Temasek Polytechnic, School of Design, Singapore and the Chairman of SFIC design Development Committee. He is often invited to present papers and lectured in various international design conferences in Asia and USA.

ANDREW PANG
After graduating from Temasek Polytechnic with a diploma in Product Design in 1996, Andrew Pang joined Barang Barang as the Product Developer/Purchaser before moving to X-tra Designs Pte Ltd. In 2003 Andrew joined Contract Seatings International, a subsidiary of X-tra Designs where he was in charge of Design & Business Development which required him to market, brand and sell the company’s products in Singapore and develop new business.

He had won Merit Awards in the Furniture Design Award organized by Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) and is actively involved in the local furniture scene. Since 2005, he has been appointed as the Vice Chairman of SFIC Design Advisory Committee as well as the Chairman of SFIC Furniture Design Award Organising Committee. The entrepreneur has recently set up his own company, Lavaworks, to provide a wide range of design consultancy services.

SIM KAH CHOON
Mr Sim Kah Choon is the Managing Director of Abitex Designs (S) Pte Ltd. Established since 1985, Abitex has carved a reputation as a reputable manufacturer of high quality designer upholstery furniture, drapery and other soft furnishings.

Over the years, Mr Sim has brought his wealth of experience to bear on all SFIC activities - ranging from international marketing to strengthening of local retail businesses and design development of the industry. Mr Sim is also the executive member of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC).

SONNY BOEY
Sonny Boey started as a Store Decoration Manager for IKEA Singapore and Sweden. During the 11 years with the company he planned and rebuilt stores for IKEA worldwide, maintaining the store image and retail concept. Sonny then left IKEA and started Barang Barang Pte Ltd whereby he designs furniture of good designs at affordable prices. In Year 2000, he sold Barang Barang to a listed company.

In Year 2001 The Home Merchant Pte Ltd was set up, with production site in Indonesia to manufacturer his designs catering to both local and international customers.

JEREMY ONG
Jeremy Ong, who was a graduate from Temasek Polytechnic, owns a Diploma in Interior Architecture and Design. He started off as a Senior Designer at Vision Designs & Contracts Pte Ltd in 1999 and proceeded to Actus Furnishing Pte Ltd where he worked as a Showroom Manager.

Jeremy is currently a Partner as well as Design Director with Designscale 1:3 Pte Ltd. Jeremy has been awarded the Gold Award for Young Designer Category, Furniture Design Award organized by Singapore Furniture Industries Council in 1999, 2002 & 2004 respectively.

NATHAN YONG
Graduated from Temasek Polytechnic in 1991 with a Diploma in Product Design, Nathan Yong started off as a Designer/Buyer with Barang Barang Pte Ltd in 1994. With numerous years of experience in the design field, he started his own business and founded Air Division Pte Ltd in Year 2000.

His entry “Break Stool” won the Bronze Award for the Furniture Design Award 2006, as well as the Silver Award for Mines International Design Intelligent. Air Division is also the Gold Award winner for Best Furniture Retailer at the Singapore Furniture Industry Awards 2006, organized by Singapore Furniture Industries Council.

CARSTEN OVESEN
Born in 1946 and specialised in the field of Furniture design and furniture fabrics, Carsten Ovesen has been living in Singapore since 1990. Currently the Managing Director of Carsten Ovesen Design, Carsten's existing clients include The Hartman Group in Holland, Eurosa China Ltd, Koda Ltd etc.

Carsten is also winner of many design competition such as "Best Bedroom Design in USA (1993), "Product of the Year" (Gold) in London (1993), "Best of British" at Spoga Fair in Germany (1994). Carsten has been on the judging panel of SFIC's Furniture Design Award for the past 12 years.

PHILLIPS CONNOR
Armed with 20 years of interior design consultancy and custom furniture detailing experience, Phillips Connor is the founder of Space Partnership Pte Ltd. Philiips has vast experience in canvassing and reviewing dealers, showrooms and retail outlets in over 20 major US cities to assess market conditions, penetration, pricing and market viability of product ranges.

Phillips has handled many furniture projects which have won him various awards. He was also the Third Prize winner for the Open Category, Furniture Design Award in 2004."

KELLEY CHENG
Currently the Editorial Director in Page One Publishing Ltd, Kelly Cheng started her own publishing firm and publishes her own architecture and design magazine, "ish" in 1999. Today "ish" is one of the most popular design magazines in the region with a readership of 40,000 per issue, selling in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Sydney, Bangkok and most recently Taiwan.

Kelley had published 3 design coffee table books in year 2003 and another of her 4 books were published in early 2004 and all her books are available worldwide from local shops to online shops such as Amazon.com. Kelley is often invited to judge at various design competitions

OVERSEAS

VOON WONG
Voon Wong was trained at the National University of Singapore and the Architectural Association in London. Since graduation in 1990, he has worked in various practices in the UK and Singapore. He was also involved in the Vitra Fire Station and Cardiff Opera House projects at the Office of Zaha Hadid, as well as the Student Accommodation and Master Planning of the University of East Anglia at Rick Mather Architects.

In 2001 he established voonwong&bensonsaw with Benson Saw and has since been developing designs for manufacturers and clients such as Fontana Arte, Porro and Kirin as well as self-producing a range of tableware and accessories. In 2002 they were awarded the OXO lighting prize for their ELma vases. The LOOP lamp was shortlisted for the prestigious Compasso d’Oro 2004.

MICHAEL YOUNG
Founder and Director of Michael Young Ltd, Michael Young has been one of the most successful and influential designer whose works have been acquired and recognised in various parts of the world. After receiving the Crafts Council Bursary in 1994, he worked on a series of one-man shows with prestigious galleries such as Gallery Mougin and Neotu from Paris, Tokyo and Kyoto.

MY-022 Ltd was set up in 1955, in London, where he focused on a series of projects for Cappellini, Sawaya & Moroni and Magis. His clients include Galley Kreo, Danese, Artemide, Rosenthal and Swedese In 1997, Terence Conran selected Michael Young as the most inspiring British designer, recorded by David Bailey for the Sunday Times Magazine. In 2002 he was invited together with a group of renowned designers; Philip Starck, Gio Ponti and Vener Panton as the Guest of Honour for the Kortrijk Design Biennle, where he created a 2000 SQ M installation.

His other recent works include a series of new designs for Lacoste, which was launched during the fashion week in Paris as well as a new range of barware named The Iconic PXR-5 and USB Bracelet which will be released and distributed by Innermost internationally.