NexTus 2010 is an annual furniture design competition organized by Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneur Association (MFEA) and National Design Centre (NDC). It was first launched this year (2009) and supported by Malaysian Furniture Promotion Council (MFPC). The name ‘NexTus’ is taken from the word Nexus which means the connection, tie, link, integration or succession. It aims to provide a platform for maintaining continuous interest in the furniture industry. Besides, ‘NexTus’ can also be read as ‘Next’-‘Us’, which supports the aim of this competition in creating and identifying future generations to whom the baton will be passed to.

Theme

Humanizing Design
Participants are required to identify problems related to existing furniture or situations related to the usage of furniture. The problems should be categorized as human related. I.e. Ergonomics, Human Factors (Physical, Economic, Social, Cultural, Cognitive, Emotional). Concepts will then need to solve the problems that were identified.

Eligibility

The competition is opened to all Malaysian students who are currently studying full time at public and private institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.

The competition will open in June every year. The registered participants will be invited to attend an Innovative Furniture Design Workshop conducted by NDC where students will learn to explore various methods to produce innovative designs and come out with the first submission. Judges will convene and short list 10 entries. The shortlisted participants will then attend a Design Prototyping Workshop where they will be assigned to work with furniture manufacturing companies to produce prototypes. The prototypes will be showcased and judged during the Export Furniture Exhibition.

The Report

JUbir with his prize

Hot pose from Jubir Baco