ALFA college recently hosted a workshop for SPM leavers interested in the IA diploma programme. A panel of Interior Architecture graduates shared how their experiences at ALFA College served them to launch their careers, advance their continued education and establish their own business.
In this video, Victor Loh, Jeryn Lee and Adam Yap share their experiences of:
personalized attention from ALFA lecturers during their study period
Interior Architecture and Design Workshop: Furniture Design Challenge
ALFA International College hosted a day-long workshop for recent SPM leavers drawn to interior architecture and design. Led by a faculty member and senior students, participants formed teams to collaborate on a group furniture design. With two hours to complete and build their designs, teams raced against the clock to develop visually appealing yet stable sitting chairs.
With the theme of sustainable design as an underlying lesson IA lecturers wished to share with participants, teams were required to make use of recyclable materials in this case corrugated cardboard in their construction.
Watch Part 1 video as teams start out methodically then pick up the pace to finish their designs before the deadline.
Each design was judged on stability, workmanship, aesthetics, teamwork, ergonomics and presentation
Interior Design Study: An Interview with Victor Loh of Avtor Designers
A graduate of ALFA College back when it was known as ALIF Creative Academy, Victor Loh took the road less traveled following commencement and spent several years in Kazakhstan where he led design teams on projects throughout Central Asia which most young designers could only dream about. After his first year on the job he was appointed team leader and worked on several large-scale, high-profile assignments including the Prime Minister’s private residence. His most stunning work, the Barhat Restaurant, oozes with splendor and rich appointment striking a bold contrast to the cold austerity of the Soviet era.
The experience enabled him to launch his own design firm in 2010 shortly after his return to Malaysia.
Avtor Designers specializes in custom design-build projects for the hospitality industry including boutique hotels and restaurants.
ALFA College of Interior Design: Alumni Success Stories with Turn Design Interiors
Award-winning designer Jeff Lee and Christopher Chan joined forces in 2008 to form Turn Design Interiors. Christopher shares their experience negotiating the challenges of running a small design firm in Malaysia.
They also discuss:
how design graduates can best prepare for entry into the job market
the experience working for a small design firm like TDI provides the young apprentice
the growth outlook for the interior design industry
Over the years, ALFA students have enjoyed study trips organized by faculty members to various local and foreign sites of cultural and design interest. Local destinations have included:
Penang
Melaka
Langkawi
Cameron Highlands
Recent trips overseas have included:
Bangkok, Thailand
Melbourne, Australia
A multidisciplinary approach provides students and lecturers a chance to cross-pollinate their respective fields of study with new design influences and understanding. There are ample opportunities for students to talk with lecturers of other fields outside their primary field. Architecture students discuss design concepts with their multimedia design peers, while students of graphic arts probe their interior architecture class mates for furniture design ideas.