Issue04 : 26 May 2014

We are all surrounded by designs but sometimes it takes one person’s vision to see them. Horizon Thailand talks to the visionary Anon Pairot.

“We are surrounded by designs, yet we don’t realize it,” says Anon Pairot, the lead designer from Anon Pairot Design Studio. To illustrate his point he picks up the handle of a coffee mug that is made from a plastic bag to protect customers from the heat, as is the widespread practice in Thailand. This simple innovation, he says, is proof that Thais have natural brilliance for designing. “But we call that folk wisdom,” he adds.

So when the DITP contacted Pairot to organize a showcase of Thai designers called Asia Talents at the BIG+BIH 2014 (Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2014) held this April, he readily agreed.

Pairot saw in Asia Talents an opportunity to promote the export of creative products. “People want to hear about the past,” he says. “But what motivates people to attend business is the future.” He believes that design can fuse both sides of the story together.

It also plays a key role in branding, although he claims the importance of design is often overlooked. “The main problem in Thailand is that people don’t understand what designers do,” he says. Asia Talents could prove to be an effective instrument to eradicate this misunderstanding. Drawing entrepreneurs, manufacturers and buyers to designers, it helps them to realize that the value of a product stems from the quality of the design.

And as the name suggests, Asia Talents is not just for Thai designers, but was extended to the ASEAN+6 nations (India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan).

Those involved seem to appreciate the opportunity that Asia Talents offered them.

“Asia Talents has broadened my understanding of foreign markets,” says Danaiya Konglapamnuay, the designer of handbag brand Daddy’s Girl (DDG) and Outstanding Asia Talent of the year 2014. She cites as an example the way that customers from Japan and Italy prefer more “classic” collared hand-bags than her “girly” handbag made from used fertiliser bags that are popular with Thais.”

Another Outstanding Asia Talent of the year, Doonyapol Srichan, appreciates the opportunity to meet designers from overseas. “[Inviting foreign designers] helps Thai designers realize their capabilities,” he says. “We can closely observe foreign designers and improve ourselves.”

Pairot believes that Asia Talents has demonstrated that Thai designers are set to take a more central role on the world stage. “In the future, we will not only look to domestic market,” he says. “Asia Talents will establish Thailand as a new centre for design. When people think of design, they will not only think of places like New York or Milan anymore.”

Asia Talents: https://www.facebook.com/bangkok.asia.talents
PDM : http://www.doonyapol.com/
Daddy’s Girl by Danaiya (DDG): http://www.danaiya.com/

Words by Ratipol Opasjaroenkij.