The OBRA Design Masterclass Program was introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA). Its goal is to give young designers and scholars mentorships and specialized furniture training.
The goal of the OBRA Design Masterclass Program is to develop and support regional talent in the creative and furniture industries. The program’s goal is to raise the bar for Filipino furniture design by skillfully fusing cutting-edge technology, eco-friendly materials, and inventive creative methods.
“In the OBRA Design Masterclass, there will be training programs from mind setting, design thinking, market-driven designs, creative process, design phase, and prototyping. We will be witnessing the participants’ progress from the raw materials to those worth selling to the international market,” PTTC-GMEA Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera said.
The program also aims to address challenges faced in the industry that affect Filipino furniture makers’ creativity and product development. Dillera cited escalating costs of imported raw materials and the competitive landscape amid rapid development on both local and international fronts.
Moreover, according to Ruby Salutan, Executive Consultant of Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc., a critical challenge the program intends to deal with is the emigration of professionals, including skilled furniture designers, from the country. OBRA Design Masterclass focuses on cultivating a cohort of young designers capable of seamlessly entering and contributing to the industry.
DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba highlighted in her keynote speech the pivotal role of design in shaping a product’s value, influencing consumer perceptions, demand, and market positioning, which generates value in the furniture landscape.
“In an increasingly competitive market environment, design stands as a key differentiator. Beyond keeping pace with design trends, our designs must also align with emerging consumer preferences encompassing eco-friendly materials, digital technology integration, and responsible sourcing,” Aldaba said.
The program sessions will take place simultaneously across three locations: Pampanga, Cebu, and Manila. Participants will have the opportunity to refine their skills and capabilities in crafting designs and prototypes, guided by industry-renowned furniture designers such as multi-awarded industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue and industry partners like the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc., and Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc.
The program is divided into three stages: designing for the market, where participating companies participate in an international event, such as the Philippines International Furniture Show in March 2024; program consultancy, where participating companies plan and execute their product development; and the designer’s phase, where they receive training in planning, execution, evaluation, and tools.
The courses for the OBRA Design Masterclass Program are expected to start in the second week of December 2023. Go to www.pttc.gov.ph or the DTI-PTTC Facebook page for additional details.
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