In its fourth edition this year, FIND Design Fair Asia expands on its commitment to provide a crucial platform that connects global brands, designers and creatives with like-minded clients and design enthusiasts. The design fair—set to return to Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from September 11 - 13, 2025, in conjunction with the Singapore Design Week—is presented as a joint venture between Fiera Milano and dmg events. Offering visitors an exclusively curated showcase of furniture, products and interior design, the event spotlights brands across lighting, smart home solutions, kitchen and bathroom design, surface materials and other furnishings, with over 300 exhibitors—including names such as Geberit, Arte International and World of Wood—slated to present this year. With the aim to introduce and enable global perspectives towards design within the Southeast Asian design scene, the fair will also host exhibitors from around 20 countries, including France, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and the Czech Republic. In a recent article, STIR—a media partner with FIND Design Fair Asia 2025—peeked into its multilayered offerings that traverse cultures, technologies and communities.

As one of the largest events centred on design for an emerging design market—projected to reach $248.9 billion US dollars by 2027, growing at 8.35 per cent annually—FIND drives critical engagement between brands, designers and an enthusiastic audience. It adds to a growing curiosity for good design by staging strategic collaborations and providing a space to carry out meaningful dialogues. STIR spoke to the fair's event director Carl Press, discussing the platform's goals, emerging trends in the Southeast Asian market and its future. The following are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Mrinmayee Bhoot: Could you tell us about this year’s theme and the kind of dialogues you hope to foster through the fair?

Carl Press: FIND Design Fair Asia is now in its fourth edition and as much as it is a curated exhibition, we also hope it serves the community of creatives in the region. The show does follow a yearly slogan, but we work hard to join together decision makers and doers each year to debate emerging ideas, which are at the intersection of design, technology, environment and culture, which drive the community, our cities and the spaces we inhabit.

Through the numerous conversations happening at our three-day FIND Global Summit, the EMERGE showcase, the conversations happening at the 250 on-site brands from over 20 countries or in any of our lounges, it captures the pulse of the Southeast Asia community.

We recognise that the industry has been transforming and adapting to challenging market conditions and any number of influences which shape the direction in manufacturing, though certain themes seem to be more prominent this year: greater uncertainty; social and environmental challenges; resilience & regeneration. Design thinking, I believe, is a catalyst for positive change.

The fair is designed to be a meeting ground where business opportunity intersects with cultural exchange, because in today’s landscape, design is not just about aesthetics but about creating sustainable design systems that foster relationships and solutions that endure.

Mrinmayee: Have you noticed any trends or crucial themes for product design emerging within the Southeast Asian market? Is the focus of brands and exhibiting designers for the fair towards more local or international markets?

Carl: Southeast Asia’s design scene is transforming rapidly. What we see is strong confidence in local identity, which in and of itself is not new, but the cross-disciplinary approaches from creatives and their use of technology enable a new generation of designers to approach contemporary global tastes while staying proudly rooted in identity and place. They are drawing from indigenous materials, craft traditions and cultural stories, but they are also building for a global audience. The two are not at odds. In fact, the most compelling brands are those that translate local narratives into products that resonate internationally.

Mrinmayee: As the premier event for the regional interior design industry, how do you find a balance between global and local voices in the fair’s programming and exhibiting partners?

Carl: It’s very intentional. On one hand, we host international brands, which in 2025 will be 20 and thought leaders from over 25 nations, to ensure the fair has a global resonance. On the other hand, we dedicate space and programming to Southeast Asia’s own rising talents through EMERGE, national pavilions and curated showcases. By placing them side by side, FIND creates a dialogue rather than a hierarchy: global players see the richness of regional innovation and South-East Asian designers benchmark themselves against international standards. The balance is not about compromise, it’s about cross-pollination. In fact, it is not uncommon that Asian talent is asked to design a new collection for leading global brands.

Mrinmayee: How do you ensure the fair provides equal opportunities for emerging designers and brands?

Carl: We see nurturing new voices as a core mission. EMERGE @ FIND, in collaboration with DesignSingapore Council, is a dedicated platform that not only gives visibility to young designers across Asia but also integrates them into the wider ecosystem of the fair through talks, networking sessions and exposure to industry buyers. Beyond EMERGE, we design matchmaking opportunities that connect smaller manufacturers with developers, hospitality groups and retailers. If you have an interesting product line, savvy buyers or hotel groups want to prioritise those for their projects and create standout experiences for clients that are unique and fresh. Whilst it is somewhat about levelling the playing field, it is also about creating new market approaches throughout.

This does include vetting through our buyer programme and understanding upcoming projects so we can create meaningful link-ups, whether you’re a global brand with a large marketing budget or an emerging designer that has some innovative products befitting a particular niche. Our mission as the fair organiser is to facilitate impactful connections that translate into real business opportunities.

Mrinmayee: What are some opportunities you see for Southeast Asian design to expand globally and to reach new audiences?

Carl: There’s an appetite worldwide for authenticity and craft-led innovation and Southeast Asia has both in abundance. The world is on the hunt for sustainable materials, wellness-driven solutions and cultural storytelling, something product designers from this region are uniquely positioned to deliver. The opportunity lies in scaling this talent through collaborations with global brands, participation in international trade fairs and leveraging digital platforms to reach new buyers. FIND’s role is to be a bridge: helping Southeast Asian designers plug into the global circuit while staying true to their local roots.

Mrinmayee: Apart from Singapore, what are some other emerging centres of design in the region, according to you?

Carl: Bangkok and Jakarta are two very exciting hubs, both have dynamic creative communities that are pushing design in fresh directions. Ho Chi Minh City is another one to watch, with a young, experimental scene coming into its own. Taipei, Manila and Kuala Lumpur are also showing strong momentum, especially in hospitality-driven design. Each of these cities reflects the diversity of Southeast Asia’s design DNA, distinct yet interconnected and we see FIND as a platform that brings these voices into dialogue with the wider world.