Connect and discuss with industry experts ranging from internationally revered engineering and product designers as they share about experiences and the importance of innovation and design for future needs.
On the experts
Chris Lefteri
Internationally recognised Designer, Writer and Materials Specialist
Chris Lefteri is widely recognized as one of the leading experts working in the field of materials & design. His studio, Chris Lefteri Design, has locations in London, Seoul and Singapore and has worked with bluechip corporations and major design studios across Europe, the US and Asia implementing a broad range of strategies for effective materials integration in the design process. The studio has a distinctive expertise that germinates new approaches in automotive, packaging, sports, furniture, consumer electronics. His client list includes: Lenovo, Target, VW, BMW, Staples, LG and Samsung Electronics, Logitech, Staples & KIA Motors.
Fanson Meng
Department Design Director, YANG DESIGN
Born in the U.S., finished the study of industrial design and started his career in Taiwan. He later joined YANG DESIGN, one of the leading design consultancies in China, leading one of the departments as design director.
His designs had received several Red Dot Design awards, selected as one of the Xiao Lung cultural hundred designs.
He was nominated by the ministry of education as People of the Year in Taiwan and attended various international design exhibitions. He is proficient in brand identity building, product design, retail and display design. He had provided consulting services to top notch brands such as DS automobile, Royal Selangor, One Foundation, Disney, Casarte, Hennessy, Gaggenau, etc.
Executive Director of Product Innovation, APDs, Yanfeng Global Automotive Interior Systems Co., Ltd.
Mr. Zhang Xiao Wen joined Yanfeng in 1996, and has focused on automotive interior product development, manufacturing and operation services for more than 20 years. Mr. Zhang Xiao Wen involved in the formation of Technical Center Engineering Department in 2005 and served as the first department director. He also held the post of general manager of Yanfeng Shanghai company, general manager of interior technical center and general manager of plastic plating business. After Yanfeng restructure Johnson Controls (now Adient) global interior, completion , He joined Yanfeng Automotive Interiors global be the executive director of Asia Pacific Innovation Center and Global Product Innovation.
Mr.Yang received master degree of experience design in Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, and awarded the title of “Chinese top 10 outstanding industrial designers”. Mr. Yang awarded domestic and overseas design awards and served as jury of IF Design Award China and speakers in Design Biennale，International Design Week, Honking business of Design Week, etc.
He devotes himself to create value by the connection of user experience. From three viewpoints of design management, design strategy and product planning，LOE DESIGN provides enterprises branding-oriented design solutions holistically and systematically by merging design into enterprises DNA as a cooperative tools, in order to enhance their abilities of innovation.
Expert of design innovation, has in-depth exploration and experiment in product design, material and Human-machine Interaction (both with environment and interface) and rich experience in brand strategy and plan. He participated in making the design guideline for Bosch power tools and designing the Intel Classmate PC for children.
Erik de Bokx (NL) was CEO of Schoeller Allibert a leading global manufacturing corporation producing returnable containers and pallets. Erik was also directly responsible for Smart Carriers Systems, the pooling service activity of the group. Erik retained the Chief Executive Officer title and Board Member till the summer of 2014, after which he devoted his time to be fully operational involved with Ahrma. Schoeller Allibert also was the supplier of plastic pallets too abovementioned iGPS, where Erik served as non-executive board member on behalf of OEP.
Product Engineering Manager, Steelcase Office Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd
Ir Azim, a Professional Engineer registered under Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM) with over 14 years’ experience in Product Research, Design and Development. He experienced in designing products, components, parts & system in various industries e.g. Electronics, Automotive, Office Furniture and Manufacturing System. Ir Azim started his career with Shimano Components (M) Sdn Bhd designing high end crank shaft and gear system for bicycle. He then worked with SONY EMCS Malaysia Sdn Bhd for over 6 years in Mechanical R&D TV/LCD division. He’s one of the innovators for TV with woofer system. He’s also pioneer group in designing LCD for SONY. Currently Ir Azim works with Steelcase Global Business Center as a Product Engineering Manager under Product Development team leading in High End Office Seating design in Asia, also Life Cycle Management. He was under EXPATRIATE assignment in North America (Grand Rapids, MI), designing Global mid-range chair for mature and emerging market in 2015. He has experienced working around the world, America, Japan, China, India, France, Italy, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea and Singapore. Hold 6 patents from USA & Malaysia. Ir Azim graduated in Mechanical Engineering majoring in Automotive from University Technology PETRONAS. He’s currently pursuing PhD Industry with University Putra Malaysia (UPM). He’s a committee member of Mechanical Technical Division, The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. He is also a Malaysia Industry Standards Committee on Plastics & Plastic Products.
