On Her Role at MIDS 2024: Hurray’s IDr. Rossy Rojales Shares Her Insights
The Manila Interior Design Summit (MIDS) is a dynamic, immersive platform brimming with opportunities for the country’s interior designers. As IDr. Rossy Rojales, Hurray’s co-founder & Principal Designer and the Program Chair of this year’s summit explains: “MIDS is more than just a design festival; it’s a vibrant platform that offers interior designers a multitude of opportunities to engage, grow, and innovate.”
The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) National Board of Trustees with this year's speakers, Jonathan Matti, Lyndon Neri, Ben Stevenson, Kezia Karin, Alvin Tjitrowirjo, and Vignesh Kaushik
Today’s design professionals face challenges including constant innovation in a rapidly changing landscape, adapting to new technologies, and balancing commercial pressures with creative expression. However, these challenges provide opportunities for growth and transformation.
MIDS offers a unique platform for designers to explore these opportunities and learn from industry leaders through engaging presentations and discussions. It also provides invaluable networking opportunities with global design professionals
This year’s summit, overseen by IDr. Rossy Rojales alongside co-chair IDr. Cyndi Fernandez Beltran, occurred from July 18-20, 2024, at The Playground and the Bench Tower at Bonifacio Global City. The event provided a comprehensive experience for designers, including trend-spotting opportunities like showroom visits, and a symposium featuring esteemed global designers Lyndon Neri, Jonathan Matti, Ben Stevenson, Kezia Karin, Vignesh Kaushik, and Alvin Tjitrowirjo.
IDr. Rossy (second from left) with Program Co-Chair, IDr. Cyndi Fernandez Beltran (left), Florence Ko of Furnitalia (second from right), and Benjamin Stevenson (right)
As PIID’s Executive Director for Professional Growth, IDr. Rojales emphasizes the need for growth and innovation in design. She states, “Growth and innovation as a designer are crucial not only for my personal development but also for my role in driving professional development within our industry.”
Along with the rest of PIID’s National Board of Trustees, she stresses the importance of constant evolution to remain relevant in a changing landscape, and the value of learning from diverse perspectives. “Listening to the symposium speakers has been an eye-opener, revealing the diverse worlds of design and the unique perspectives they offer,” IDr. Rossy remarks.
IDr. Rossy with IDr. Anton Mendoza (left), Lyndon Neri (second from right), and Kenneth Cobonpue (right)
The event featured a panel discussion on “Design Stories,” exploring how storytelling guides the creative process. IDr. Rojales notes, “Design stories are fundamental to our work because they serve as the narrative thread that guides the entire creative process.”
IDr. Rojales highlighted three key takeaways from the summit. First, she emphasized the importance of staying attuned to evolving design technologies and trends. Second, she noted the potential for beauty in adaptive reuse projects when approached with genuine care and material expertise. Finally, she stressed the responsibility of designers to protect local craftsmanship and community through design localization efforts.
She notes, “These presentations have not only broadened my understanding but also sparked new ideas and approaches that I can apply in my own work and share with the wider design community.”
IDr. Rossy addressing this year's speakers
Looking to the future, IDr. Rojales shares her vision: “My vision for the interior design profession is to cultivate a community of empowered designers who possess not only the technical skills but also the global mindset needed to navigate and influence the international design landscape.”
She continues, “I envision interior designers who are confident in their abilities, equipped with a deep understanding of diverse cultural contexts, and capable of integrating global trends with local sensibilities. Moreover, I aspire for interior designers to be recognized as authoritative voices in the broader creative field, leading with innovative ideas, setting standards, and shaping the future of design through their expertise and vision.”
For IDr. Rojales and other attendees, this year’s summit was a truly enriching experience. Hurray’s Senior Design Lead, Ar. Julius Marzan shares, “I like the theme this year. Focusing on collaboration shows the importance of working with different trades and professions. [There are] no small roles, just one’s openness to share their skills and talent all for creating an effective and well-thought of space.” For IDr. Abigail De Vera, one of Hurray’s Design Associates, MIDS 2024 was full of new learnings, “I appreciate all these new insight from the best mentors in the design and architectural field.”
MIDS 2024 will undoubtedly be treasured for years to come, a great continuation of the PIID mission to shape and strengthen the design industry for years to come.
How about you? What did you like most about MIDS 2024? Sound off in the comments below and check out our other design stories at Beyond Ordinary.