Sabah Interior Designers Society (SAIDS) on shaping the future

by Aisha Capulong

A powerful community of designers looking to further the discipline in the Bornean state, the Sabah Interior Designers Society advocates for better awareness around the industry and its positive impacts

First established in 2020, the Sabah Interior Designers Society — otherwise known as SAIDS — recently held its Appreciation & Installation Day to commemorate the committee’s official introduction to the public. With over 170 attendees for the council’s meaningful day, it only goes to show the rapid growth and interest that presently surrounds Sabah’s upstanding design industry.

Vouching for the Bornean state’s close-knit design community is SAIDS Chairman Ashley Yeoh. During her speech at the Appreciation & Installation Day, she tells the hall an anecdote of her very own journey that was accelerated thanks to Sabah’s supportive design industry, and namely, Frankie Liew — SAIDS’ very first Chairman and current-term design advisor.

“Unity is our strength. Let’s move forward, together.”

ASHLEY YEOH, Chairman for the Sabah Interior Designers Society

In attendance at the Appreciation & Installation Day was Guest of Honour and SAIDS founder, Professor Dato’ Seri Dr. Wilson Yong, who gave a keynote address on the importance of design in today’s modern world — serving as an encouraging message for the tomorrows to come.

A society of designers by designers and for designers, SAIDS’ mission is forthright and unwavering: it is to act as a versatile and driven platform for Sabahan designers to grow and develop with, much like support incubators. Chairman Yeoh also enthusiastically expands on how SAIDS envisions itself to cultivate next-gen leaders of the market with a deep respect for the true weight of design: realising the spaces they create also ultimately frame how its users feel, consociate with each other and even rejuvenate within them.

Filled with hope and proactivity, SAIDS aims to become an indispensable resource for the prevailing generation while paving the way for the next. Some of the society’s front-burner initiatives include advancing curriculum through partnerships with local universities, sustainability education campaigns for practicing designers as well as bringing recognition to the masses on the craft that is spatial design.

Plus, the SAIDS Dialogue, SAIDS Connect and SAIDS Inspirations may be programmes that come in different forms, but ultimately, its objectives all converge to one point, which is to establish invaluable junctures for continuous professional development and coaction.

Members of SAIDS benefit from the substantial links that can be made through the committee’s countless events and networking opportunities. Members can also gain an inside look into the behind-the-scenes of high-level decision-making that directly impact the industry by being part of the conversation, represented through SAIDS. After all, the society is nationally recognised by the Sabah state government.

Emboldening its members to continuously experiment with different solutions, approaches and materials, SAIDS positively believes synergetic innovation is the way to go. Knowledge sharing is a core value for the committee alongside embracing Sabah’s rich design heritage and calling for a more inclusive tomorrow.

Championing collaboration by welcoming diverse characters and perspectives, the Sabah Interior Designers Society is confident their platform can help build a stronger groundwork for the future of the local design scene. Be it practiced professionals, aspiring design students, industry partners or even design enthusiasts looking to be part of a passionate crowd, SAIDS accepts Sabah-based members from all walks of life who live, speak and breathe design.

To learn more, please visit the official Sabah Interior Designers Society website at www.saids.org.my