Aarong Furniture Moodboard Idea Competition: Brac University Students Redefine Bangladeshi Furniture Design
The Aarong Furniture Moodboard Idea Competition was a pioneering industry-academia collaboration between Aarong and the Department of Architecture at Brac University (BU), aimed at inspiring young designers to create modern, culturally inspired furniture concepts.
Bridging Industry and Academia
The initiative was led by Tamara Abed, Managing Director of Brac Enterprises, as part of a strategic vision to connect academic creativity with real-world business innovation. The competition was organized by a team of BU faculty members: Shams Mansoor Ghani, Dr. Sajid bin Doza, Saimum Kabir, Md. Samiur Rahman Bhuiyan, Emmat Ara Khanam, Ahnaf Shakil Millat, Athena Rahman and Md. Rakibul Hasan.
Celebrating Bangladeshi Design and Culture
Participants in the interior design course were invited to create furniture mood boards that reflect aesthetic innovation, functionality and cultural identity aligned with Aarong’s brand values. Submissions featured themes such as:
- Traditional Bengali motifs
- Sustainable design materials
- Minimalist and modern furniture concepts
- Natural textures and spatial harmony
Esteemed Jury and Guests
The final judging was conducted by a joint panel of BU faculty and Aarong representatives, including:
- Tanvir Hossain, Chief Business Officer
- Rajesh Khajuria, Head of Design
- Nil Ratan Karmakar, General Manager, Finance & Accounts
Competition Results
After a competitive evaluation process, the winners were announced:
- 🥇 Winners: Nahin Sarker, Rabeya Khatun Shifa, and Safin Elham
- 🥈 1st Runner-Up: Fatima Kamal Anonna, Meruna Rahman, Debjoti Barman Katha, and Azra Fariha Rima
- 🥉 2nd Runner-Up: Eisha Sutar, Rizat Hasan, Faiza Jerin, and Saima Hoque
- 🎖️ Commendation Recognition: Bebe Taramon, Parmina Arshad Shoily, Samia Hasan, and Moumita Datta
Fostering the Future of Furniture Design in Bangladesh
The Aarong-Brac University moodboard competition highlights the growing potential of Bangladeshi interior and furniture design, empowering students to turn ideas into impactful design concepts that celebrate heritage and embrace innovation.