RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

We are proud to announce the Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur have successfully organised the “Tenugui Design Contest” open to all Malaysians aged 18 and above!

Out of the overwhelming 180 submissions received, and after a long discussion, the judges have agreed and selected 3 winners for this contest. Congratulations to the winners and participants for their wonderful submissions and unique interpretation of the theme ‘Malaysia+Japan’.

Read the judges’ comments on the three winning designs as well!

Here are the winning designs!

  JUDGES’ COMMENTS  

Dr. Debbie Gan Siew Siew:

I love the used of bold vector graphics with minimal but harmonious colours.  The cultural elements from both countries, Japan and Malaysia have been carefully selected and is well juxtaposed – although different culturally, the symbolic sun that rises is the same.

Nik Faiz Nik Amin:

An iconic design with strong symbolic element from Malaysia and Japan. Beh Sin Yen has successfully positioned each element and forged connectivity and intelligently pushed out beyond scenery design boundary.

Nini Marini:

  JUDGES’ COMMENTS  

Dr. Debbie Gan Siew Siew:

Design style is quite unique depicting an intriguing narrative of how a Japanese Koi travel to land and met with a Malaysian hornbill. The story brings out the concept of relationship between two countries with the added elements representative of both nations. The colours used are also visually pleasing.

Nik Faiz Nik Amin:

This “Koi on Land” satisfies almost completely all attributes without being a dominating hulk combining flora to fauna integration. Not a conventional interpretation of scenery design where the landscape views look harmony in character and providing subtle range of color tones to experience.

Nini Marini:

  JUDGES’ COMMENTS  

Dr. Debbie Gan Siew Siew:

The creative concept of patience / ‘sabar’ in Malay and Saba fish depicted in a retro-ish style is interesting! The idea of having patience when dealing with two cultures are definitely a relevant one.

Nik Faiz Nik Amin:

It’s the design story that made this artwork very interesting! Yang Will has touched vernacular design approach on the way a language is spoken and taught audiences something new to be related between Malaysian and Japanese words. Sabar has the deisgn element of a matured artwork and can symbolically patterened tenugui well with both identity of the great nations.

Nini Marini:

*All results are final and non-negotiable. The winners will be contacted by the organiser regarding the prizes.

The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur is proud to announce the “Tenugui Design Contest”!

  WHAT IS TENUGUI?  
Tenugui (te (?): hand, nuguu (?): wipe) is a traditional Japanese hand towel made from thin cotton. The shape is rectangular and comes in a standard size of 35 cm x 90 cm.

The long sides are finished with selvage, which prevents it from fraying. The short sides are simply cut and so part of the aesthetic is the slightly unfinished edge. The loose threads are a part of a tenugui’s appeal, and it is a mark of their authenticity.

	Assistant Professor Dr. Debbie Gan Siew Siew Deputy Dean, First City University CollegeDebbie has over 10 years of professional experience in Design Management focusing on design & brand strategy and higher education management based in UK and Malaysia. She believes the continual development of branding strategy can help strengthen and grow businesses through integrated marketing communication. Besides being an entrepreneur and educator, she is also active in the creative design community.
	Nik Faiz Nik Amin Founder and Creative Director of GaharaArchitect-turned-artist Nik Faiz Nik Amin is a third-generation batik artisan from a family of batik makers based in Penambang, Kelantan Darul Naim. His globally-recognised homegrown artisan batik brand – Ruzzgahara aims to revive traditional batik production that embraces a more eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable approach. The brand has  been featured in various international publications including Vogue British and Tatler Magazine British.
	Nini Marini Artist & Creative EntrepreneurNini Marini is a graduate of The Birmingham City University, in Visual Communications. She has spent 20 years in the media industry as a producer and then content Innovation head for a national media company whilst practicing art on the side. Today, Nini is a multi-artist & creative entrepreneur whose goal is to promote the arts and creative thinking.