Thinking Out Loud

In celebration of Thinkscape’s 25th silver jubilee, John Jong chats about the design powerhouse’s colourful journey throughout the years and its secrets to perpetual success, all while unveiling just a tad about the charismatic leading man himself.

Words by Monisha Sivanesan | Images courtesy of Thinkscape Design Works Sdn Bhd

A multiple award-winning Sarawak-born Malaysian who remains a fervent proponent of multidisciplinary collaboration, the always enigmatic John Jong is the mastermind behind Thinkscape Design Works Sdn Bhd. Known for his human-centric, hands-on approach and provocative conceptual thinking that goes beyond the conventional, the founder of the international design office based out of Kuala Lumpur is active in developing new ideas in design-led innovation and placemaking … making brand environments work since the year 2000.

Whether its conceptualising the interior design for the collaborative “Escape by Etiqa,” crafting the “moving fabric”-inspired facade of LBS headquarters in Selangor or positioning the corporate brand identities of Sarawak oil company PETROS and the iconic fashion eyewear brand O.W.L., Thinkscape’s vastly diverse portfolio sonorously echoes John’s commitment to tackling challenges with his own concoction of brilliance. Each inspiring piece of work manages to captivate the imagination with a distinct twist, all while remaining culturally relevant and aligned with the clientele’s vision.

The designer, noted conference speaker and contributor of influential opinion pieces says, “I believe in the power of design-led ideas, as their impact on the world’s visual and built environment can be profound, and there is nothing more satisfying than tackling a really complex brand and design challenge for a client, especially being able to solve it both beautifully and intelligently. This is what gets me out of bed every morning.” With that said, he, along with each and every member of the team, is bound by a single purpose: to create meaningful places, experiences and value.

Amidst his busy schedule which recently included celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary at its brand new, self-designed headquarters at Sentul Works – a lovingly restored 110-year-old colonial wonder –, John kindly found the time to squeeze us in for a word or two. With an introspective candour and a pocket full of charm, he not only gave us a deeper insight into Thinkscape’s adventurous journey and its secrets to everlasting success but he also got a lil’ candid about the mysterious man behind the curtain itself.

Congratulations on Thinkscape’s 25th Anniversary! Can you please share with us what have been the company’s three significant milestones?

One of the most defining moments in Thinkscape’s journey was setting up our office in Dubai back in 2005, marking our entry into the global design arena. In this dynamic city which opened up a world of distinctive challenges and opportunities for us, we not only honed our expertise in integrating diverse cultural elements into our designs for a wide range of clients but also established ourselves as a versatile player amongst international peers.

Secondly, the decision to shift our base from Dubai back to Kuala Lumpur in 2012 was another strategic move that reflected our commitment to our roots and the region; it allowed us to bring global insights and broadened experiences back home, and meld them with local sensibilities for a uniquely authentic design language that resonated near and far.

Finally, winning the prestigious Mercu Maybank i-City project in 2021 became a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in design. It showcased our strength in conceptualising and executing a project embodying modern development while maintaining a strong connection to the community and the environment … aptly exemplifying Thinkscape’s approach of blending creativity, functionality and sustainability.

What are the design principles that contribute to Thinkscape’s success?

First of all, our multidisciplinary approach which draws expertise from various fields — architecture, interior design, digital and print media, technology, cultural contexts and brand insights — enables us to create more holistic and impactful designs. It encourages boundary-pushing ideas and innovative problem-solving, ensuring that our statement-making designs are aesthetically pleasing and functional, technologically advanced, culturally relevant and sustainable as possible.

Believing that good design goes beyond aesthetic appeal, we also design with purpose, in ways that not only respect, reflect and resonate with people’s lives, histories and cultures but also serve a function, tells a story and positively impacts the environment and society. By doing so, we ensure that our designs feel meaningful, relatable, engaging and fosters a sense of belonging and connection for the people who inhabit them.

What are Thinkscape’s forte and plans moving forward?

We’ve carved a niche in Commercial Workplace consultancy in recent years. Our expertise in this area has grown tremendously, allowing us to cater to diverse clients, from medium-sized businesses to large MNC corporate offices. Our AI-integrated approach goes beyond mere space planning; we understand our client’s organisational culture, workflow and future aspirations, resulting in workspaces that are functional and foster creativity, collaboration and well-being.

Looking ahead, we set to broaden our horizons by venturing into new areas of the design landscape, more specifically the F&B and bespoke retail brand scenes. The first, with its ever-evolving consumer preferences and trends, presents an exciting challenge to create dining experiences that are not just about food but about creating memorable, sensory experiences. Similarly, the second, which demands the physical store experience to be more engaging and immersive to compete in an era of online shopping, opens the door for us to create retail spaces that tell a story, evoke emotions and provide a unique journey that strengthens a place’s identity, brand experience and customer loyalty.

How do you create a conducive working place to maximise productivity?

Creating a productive workspace requires understanding and balancing the employees’ needs with the organisation’s goals. As a result, we’ve incorporated a multifaceted strategy that combines a thoughtful/flexible approach to design which takes different working styles, the hybrid working model and the need for rest and social interaction into account; a commitment to ergonomics, health and well-being for maximum physical and psychological comfort; and a willingness to embrace technology and sustainability for the sake of advanced efficiency and a progressive culture.

A well-designed space can also boost morale, encourage team cohesion and foster a sense of belonging. At Thinkscape, we consider all of these factors equally integral to our design process, ensuring that the conducive workspaces we create are both aesthetically, and functionally, pleasing for the benefit of all.

When you’re not working, what activities do you indulge in?

When I step away from the demands of work, I am deeply committed to personal growth and exploration. In fact, one of my guiding principles is to learn a new skill every year. One of them involves a thrilling and challenging but also tranquil and inspiring journey into the ocean’s depths, having recently pursued my PADI diving licence which has since culminated in my certification as a rescue diver. My passion for this pursuit runs so deep that even my next ideal holiday destination would be a diver’s paradise – a liveaboard experience in both the Maldives and Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

On a more casual note, I find great joy and appreciation in exploring the wonderful world of wines. I frequently gather with good friends to study and savour different varieties, making each meeting a social and sensory learning experience. In addition to these pursuits, I am committed to expanding my intellectual and imaginative horizons through reading, having set a personal goal to read at least one book every two months. All these activities are integral to who I am. They allow me to disconnect from the rigours of my professional life, provide me with fresh perspectives and help me maintain a balanced and fulfilling life.

What are the three things you can’t live without?

My phone, sketch pen and reading glasses.

If you are not a designer, what else would you be?

A film director. I’ve always wanted to be one, for I enjoy the art of storytelling. I think it’s very much akin to the way we approach design at Thinkscape — people like to hear stories, spaces have stories and everything we touch has a story.