Davao holds promise for young interior designers

Creativity in design has long flourished in the Philippine south, so it is quite surprising to learn that Mindanao's first exhibit on interior design was held only last month.

Design Trends in 4 x 8, held at the Abreeza Ayala Mall Atrium in Davao City from May 28 to 30, was organized by the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers as part of the World Interiors Day celebration.

The event aimed to build and strengthen linkages between design professionals, furniture designers and manufacturers, construction materials suppliers, decorators and design enthusiasts, students, and the general populace.

It also served to commemorate Republic Act 10350, or the Philippine Interior Design Act of 2012, which mandates compliance with the countrys existing building code standards and at the same time offers a mutually beneficial protection program for interior designers and their clients.

One of the exhibitors at the event was John Matthew B. Librando, an up-and-coming young designer from the region who spoke to GMA News Online about being an interior designer in Mindanao.

Interior designer John Matthew Librando: "I think Davao has become a place where designers would settle and not think of working anywhere else." Photo by Cham Cuartero

Projects and new developments have flourished everywhere in Davao in the past few years and it has brought opportunities and chances for the designers, especially the young ones like us, to become active in practicing the profession. I think Davao has become a place where designers would settle and not think of working anywhere else.

Is there enough of a market in the region for young interior designers?

People have become more aware of our presence in the region in the past few years and it's fantastic that people here identify the work we render and have become more aware of the importance of interior design in improving the functionality, comfort, and aesthetics of the space they occupy or use.

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Davao holds promise for young interior designers