School for Furniture Design in Cebu?
Cebu is, undoubtedly, the hotbed of contemporary furniture design, not only in the Philippines, but in the whole of Asia. Case in point is the furniture and furnishings exhibit held annually in Cebu City , the vibrant cosmopolitan provincial capital of Cebu, that draws hundreds of buyers (usually furniture-chain retailers) across the world.
Through the annual event, which is currently in its 17th year of showcasing Cebuanos‘ ingenuity and craftsmanship, the world has noticed the unique yet exquisite look of Cebu furniture that evokes inherent creativity of the Cebuano talents that make Cebu-made furniture become the world standard for avant garde and contemporary designs. The furniture world then coined the word Cebu-look to describe an elegant furniture that resembles the high quality standard of creative design.
How about putting up a school for the furniture design?
In recent years, the world is looking up to Cebu as the center of excellence in furniture design. Cebu furniture definitely raises the bar of furniture design excellence. Furniture from Cebu has since gained respect from other furniture-exporting countries that many manufacturers from these countries are now scouting for designers from Cebu to work for them.
If our government will throw its full support to the furniture industry in Cebu and in the whole country in general, it should start from the level where creative minds are discovered and eventually develop to harness their full potential. And, in my own opinion, there’s no better way than putting up a school that offers courses that cover every aspect in furniture industry that includes design, raw materials, development and production, and marketing.
The proposed school would potentially attract students from other countries as well to study furniture design here and further make Cebu an education destination. I believe Cebu can be a furniture design studies center in the world if our national government is serious about the advancement of the country’s furniture industry.
It is a high time to professionalize our furniture designers so that their inherent talents are also acknowledged and their intellectual property rights will be protected. Some of them don’t even earn decent pay for their talents while manufacturers get the lion share of profit derived from the sale of the item.
I look forward to the establishment of the world’s first school of furniture design and excellence, Cebu Institute of Furniture Design & Excellence soon.
Do you have any opinion?
March 15th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
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