The Leadership Journey of IDr Ooi Boon Seong

IDr Ooi Boon Seong
Founder & Chief Executive Director / Ooi Design & Associates Sdn Bhd
Current President (2022-2024) / Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID)
Ooi Design & Associates Sdn Bhd | www.odainteriordesign.com       

Developing the industry has always been a top priority for IDr Ooi Boon Seong. He was an active member of the Malaysian Society of Interior Design for many years, and was the first inaugural member for the formation of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Design (MIID), where he presently serves as its devoted president. He is a firm believer of continual quality, commitment and improvement, and believes this can be achieved through fostering teamwork, harmony and open communication. It’s a mindset that has served him well throughout his 30+ years of experience which involves founding Ooi Design & Associates, an award-winning forerunner in Asian interior design, to participating as an esteemed judge for the 2023 edition of the StarProperty Developer Awards and Asia Young Designer Awards (AYDA Awards). 

While positioned at the helm of OD&A, the multitasking maven pushes forward with an enthusiastic team of champions to bring a fresh new dimension to the ever-evolving field, as showcased with relatively recent ventures like the Feng Shui-inspired Monalisa Bookstore in Bukit Jalil to Datuk Jimmy Choo’s Kuala Lumpur penthouse which encapsulates the iconic shoe designer’s essence to a tee. As one can see, this prominent figure has long made a name for himself in the industry he adores so much, amassing over 30 Excellence awards, including the BrandLaureate Brand Icon of the Decade Awards 2019. 

Monalisa Bookstore designed by OO&A

Jimmy Choo’s KL Penthouse designed by OO&A

Signing of Memorandum of  Agreement by MIID and PAM Presidents

Signing of Memorandum of  Agreement by MIID and PAM Presidents

Tell us, how has your journey as MIID’s new President been so far?

So far, it’s been good. We have had new council members join this term, opening up a lot of possibilities, new energy and new suggestions from a very committed team. There has also been a lot of planning for new activities for the year since I started my term as president.

What in particular made you highly interested in taking up this position?

I was, and still very much am, keen to continue the journey and vision of MIID, moving forward to make our profession more recognisable, enhance connectivity between industry players and elevate the interior design industry as a whole in terms of design, creativity and so on.

Monalisa Bookstore designed by OO&A

Ooi at the REKA Conference 2023

With that in mind, what is the focus, or vision, for MIID under your direction?

The main focus is to reach out and build strong connections with fellow members and industry players, as well as related professionals and industry partners. For example, there was a recent trip to Johor to meet with some local interior designers which went well … allowing us to foster good professional relationships in order to expand and grow the connections within the local interior design scene.

What would you say is the common denominator between your responsibilities at MIID and OD&A?

I think my role in general is to motivate, empower and inspire my team members to become leaders so that they may face challenges confidently, knowing that they always have my full support. I think generally, I strongly advocate for the freedom for people to think creatively and to have self-expression. It is also important to always listen.

Ooi at the REKA Conference 2023

Jimmy Choo’s KL Penthouse designed by OO&a

In terms of strategy, what is one thing that you plan to do differently to your predecessors to ensure your term at MIID is a success?

So far, there has been a lot of effort to digitise our processes, such as our membership application, as well as other areas wherever possible, so that we can have a more systematic and efficient operation flow.

From design to human management to even the overall responsibilities as president, what is the most surprising, or significant, lesson you’ve learned thus far?

I have learned many lessons on how to manage internal conflict in terms of ideas, how to influence others towards your vision as well as the importance of learning and growing every step of the way, while unlocking your beliefs, accepting new ideas and taking risks in moving forward.

How do you plan to stay motivated and creative in this role?

Staying motivated is easy for me because I have a dream, for my company and for MIID. To stay creative, I tell myself that every day is a routine to learn something new and I train my mindset to stay positive even when facing very challenging difficulties.

Judging Panels for Star Property Awards 2023

Judging Panels for PAM Awards 2023

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects, perhaps one you’re most excited about materialising?

I am excited about the upcoming MIID Reka Campus that will take place during the Asia Pacific Space Design Association’s general assembly in Penang. We are glad to host some foreign delegates from the Asia Pacific countries, inviting them to learn about Penang’s rich heritage and experience the warm culture of Malaysia.

What are you looking most forward to accomplishing in your new position?

I hope to establish a very united council member team who shares the same vision of striving for excellence, for the benefit of the institute and the industry as a whole. Also, I aspire to improve the future of interior designers from an education standpoint and increase the number of registered professionals within our industry.

What do you predict, or hope, will be the next trend in interior design in the coming years?

I predict there will be a lot of AI-assisted solutions being applied in interior design. With that being said, I also hope that this will not influence nor hinder the originality and creativity stemming from the designers themselves.