//KL Design Week 2009

Dear Malaysians,
“If not now, when? If not us, who? Let’s unite and “Show” to the world what we have and now is the time to “Shine” as New Malaysian in New Creative Economy power!”
As one of the fastest growing cities in Asia, Kuala Lumpur has design potential at a level comparable to other innovative cities around the world. We are progressively embracing design as a way to develop our own identity and national pride.

Currently we are now in what some may say as “the creative age” – a time where people value the creative thought process, a time of which we now regard highly on the ability of people to embed creativity and cultural content within the goods and services they produce. Creativity has now become an integral way of life for without design, the world would be very stagnant indeed.

In this land of multiple cultural values, Malaysia has design capabilities worthy of respect and acknowledgement yet we are still lacking when it comes to local recognition and promotions from the government and the community alike. We are still struggling to attract the much-needed support, both the financial as well as the moral. When will it be, that the significance of design finally be recognized by the decision-makers of our country?

As the first project of its kind to have sailed onto our shores, the Kuala Lumpur Design Week is a vital tool for the creative development of our nation. It will provide an important role in enlightening the community about the significance of the Creative Economy and encourage the education of design in various aspects of cultural development within the region.

Being our First Phase program entitled “Show + Shine”, KLDW Festival 2009 serves as Malaysia’s Creative Economy stimulus platform for all creative-based inputs and outputs. The idea is to centralise, encourage, maximize and upgrade the quality of design, thus creating a pathway into the international market and connections within the design industry and the creative community. Apart from the huge potential of commercial rewards, this exercise will also collect all vital information relating to the current market size of Malaysia’s Creative Economy, its growth potentials as well as identifying its obstacles and hurdles. This project will undoubtedly shape the new culture of good design habits in Malaysia, and will also help in elevating the profiles of our home-grown talents in the global arena.

With the abundance of creative people and their products, it is time for Malaysia to make the Creative Economy a part of the national strategy, to put our country on the map. Perhaps for these 9 days, KLDW 2009 will make an impact so strong that it will inspire more creative thoughts and even works of arts from each and every one of us. As Malaysia moves forward in its advancement of technology and science, the current and future generations will benefit greatly from this exposure.

KLDW is a dream, a dream for us to entertain, to engage, and to enlighten, in building a new creative identity for our nation. Because if it is not now, when? If not here, where? & if not us, who? KLDW 2009 is a project for the love of art and design, from us to all Malaysians. We seek your involvement in this project, be it a contribution, participation, or the simple act of admiration, as it will not only benefit oneself, but also the nation as a whole. Therefore, ievery support is fundamental in kicking this dream alive

Together let us ‘Show’ to the world what we have now, and let us make Malaysia ‘Shine’ to the eyes of the world. Otherwise, what are we waiting for...

Looking forward to realizing this dream together soon,