Want to create designs that truly matter? Three leading design figures shared their invaluable insights, helping us understand how to create spaces that truly serve society's needs. If you're a young design professional, a student, or a parent of a budding designer, these tips are for you!

Three Key Takeaways to Elevate Your Design Thinking:

1. Uncover the True Needs of Your Users

Architect Jabeen Zacharias, renowned for her award-winning career, wasn't always designing grand projects. Her early experience as a residential architect, designing modest 660 sq ft homes for families of four, profoundly shaped her approach to design.

One of Jabeen's first roles was designing these compact homes. Eager to flex her creative muscles, she suggested to the chief architect, "The toilets are quite small; why don't we increase them by a foot?" The chief architect's response was a crucial lesson in real-world design. He explained that increasing the toilet size would also mean extending sewage and plumbing lines. Across thousands of homes, this would significantly inflate the budget, ultimately reducing the number of homes they could build.

This early experience was Jabeen's first encounter with the realities of design and highlighted why a deep understanding of the community's priorities is paramount. Design is not just about aesthetics but is also about creating functional and impactful solutions that address real needs. Remember, as a designer, it is about addressing the needs of real, everyday people.

2. Tune In to the Essence of the Space You're Creating

"Listening is the key to understanding a client's needs," emphasises IDr Lai Siew Hong, Co-founder and Chief Executive Designer of the award-winning interior design firm Blu Water.

He stresses the importance of understanding a space's fundamental purpose. "The primary aim of a hospital is to make people well again," he recalls from his experience designing private healthcare facilities. He highlights that it's vital to consider emotional and mental wellbeing beyond the physical. This care extends to the very materials used for instance, selecting protective coatings like Nippon Paint VirusGuard transforms walls into active barriers against viruses and bacteria. This ensures the physical environment is as safe as it is comforting, directly supporting the space's healing purpose.

"Because empathetic design focuses on how people feel in those spaces, we developed a concept that could evoke positive feelings, where people could feel relaxed, much like a hotel." Every design element was carefully selected to foster feelings of calm and relaxation, ensuring a positive user experience. Lai encourages designers to stay attuned to their design's core purpose and consider how they want to impact the individuals interacting with the space.

3. Embrace Mindfulness in Your Design Process

"Beautiful spaces are pleasing to the eye, but spaces with soul and heart are wonderful to be in… I believe that whatever we create externally reflects our internal spaces,"shares IDr Michael Pizarro. Early in his career, Michael found himself involved in numerous restaurant projects. This led him to question: What truly makes a design successful? Is it impeccable interiors, perfect lighting, or the ideal material specification? His search for this elusive ingredient led him to a decisive answer: Mindfulness.

He urges young designers to integrate mindfulness into their design process. Mindfulness involves observing yourself as you work – a process of self-monitoring and becoming aware of your inner world, the feelings and thoughts that arise as you engage with a space. Becoming a socially conscious designer is a journey of continuous learning and growth. By understanding your users' true needs, aligning with the space's purpose, and embracing mindfulness, you can create designs that are not only visually appealing but also deeply meaningful and impactful.

Ready to embark on this exciting journey and connect with a passionate design community? Discover more design tips and resources by visiting the AYDA website.

About AYDA:
First launched in 2008, the AYDA Awards (formerly known as the Asia Young Designer Awards) is a cornerstone of Nippon Paint's commitment to nurturing the next generation of architectural and interior design talent. AYDA provides a dynamic platform for students to hone their skills, engage in cross-learning, and network with industry leaders and fellow peers across the region.