PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Cedric is a very passionate design professional with knowledge and expertise in architecture, interior design, art, graphic, café setup & operation, boutique B&B design and branding. He has 4.5 years of experience as a design architect based in Chicago, and over 10 years of experience in interior design based in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Along his professional journey, he was involved in setting up and operating a boutique bed & breakfast place in Penang for 7 years. Subsequently, he has also been certified as a trained Barista and went on to setup a specialty coffee place in Penang in October 2015.

Cedric received his undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and subsequently a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Graduate School of Design at University of Pennsylvania. He spent several years working as a design architect in Chicago before deciding to return to Malaysia. Believing that design is not complete until it is constructed, he started an interior design practice upon his return and since then, he has been actively involved in renovation and interior design works.

Born and raised in Penang in 1974, he has always appreciated art and design in its many forms. He believes art is an intimate and powerful form of expression and design is a universal language that permeates many industry and professions. From culinary arts to graphic and even an entire business model, design and art touches our lives in many ways. His interest in art and design has led him to various endeavour from branding, graphics, and painting to being a barista. He is frequently inspired by profound thoughts and visual stimulation, which encourages an inner dialogue. His design work therefore often begins with a thought and his work is as exploratory as his thought process.

EDUCATION

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies Certification, edX - HarvardX 2020 

SCAE(Specialty Coffee Association of Europe) & BGA Barista Certification, Malaysia 2014 

University of Pennsylvania, Master of Architecture, USA, 2000

University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Architecture, USA, 1999

University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Architecture, USA, 1999

KDU College Transfer Program, Penang, 1994 

PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS BACKGROUND

Signature, Sales Consultant, 2024

CGD Art Studio, Sole Proprietor

( art & design studio )

Klaas Design & Build ( Klaasmen Sdn Bhd ), Project Manager, 2020 - 2022
( interior design & build turnkey project delivery )

Entopia / Butterfly House (Pg) Sdn Bhd, Dec 2016 - 2020, Chief of Design
( company is involved in tourism industry with a business unit in butterfly aviary project consultancy )

Key Responsibilities :
Chief designer in developing business concepts and project conceptual visuals. Lead a small design team to oversee day-to -day graphic design works, develop exhibit solutions for consulting projects as well as internal exhibit upgrading works. Such projects frequently involves cross-department brainstorming with zoology, education and horticulture in order to developing effective solutions.

Co-develop with CEO to strategise design and consulting department business direction.
Identifying existing product strengths and weaknesses to develop effective consulting services modules for new potential clients.

Handles international business leads through email correspondence as well as business trips to visit sites and potential clients. Although CEO takes the lead when projects involve international government VIP officials or political parties.

Oversee all design work produced internally by design, visual art and multimedia team.

Other Responsibilities :

Independently completed strategic partnership with Flagstaff Holdings Sdn. Bhd. business plan proposal. 

Requested by CEO to carry out business feasibility study and to produce business proposal report for the Ministry of Tourism. Requested by CEO to prepare proposal paper to outline new strategies for product development, evaluate business risks and provide competitive analysis. 

Blue Mango Management Sdn Bhd, Director, 2009-2016

(company is primarily involved in managing a boutique B&B ‘mango tree place’ and the Mangoes Café) 

Living Space Design Sdn Bhd, 2008-2009

(company was converted to LLC due to involvement in commercial projects)

Living Space Design, Penang, Malaysia, Sole Proprietor, 2005 – 2008

(an interior design practice involved in small residential and commercial design work)

RTKL Associates, Chicago, USA, Project Designer 2000 – 2004

(a large multi-disciplinary firm)

David Traub Associates, Philadelphia, USA, Design Intern 2000

(a small proprietor architectural practice, former student of Louis Kahn) 

0. DESIGN WORK EXPERIENCE

   His design experience encompasses a broad and extensive knowledge base through years of tenure at various establishments, from small architect firm and large multi- disciplinary corporate design firm to entrepreneurship involvement in interior design and hospitality industry in Penang, Malaysia. The breadth of his experience in professional, business, travel and studying with one of the top post graduate faculty in United States, has provided him with diverse experiences which continuously hones his skills in ways which are uniquely innovative yet culturally sensitive in developing design solutions. His unique repertoire of design skill ranges from timeless modern, heritage to classic spaces, which are instrumental in his development as a complete design professional. 

BUSINESS AWARDS + RECOGNITION ( MANGO TREE PLACE )

News Straits Times - “Bedding down in old Penang”, 
By Suzanna Pillay, September 2011

Asia One News – “4 heritage hotels reviewed”, 
By A Singapore press holding portal, September 2011

Certificate of Excellence 2011 - 2015 

By TripAdvisor, world largest travel site

Traveller’s Choice Winner 2012 - 2015 

By TripAdvisor, world largest travel site

Hall of Fame Winner 2015 ( for achieving excellence in 5 consecutive years ) 

By TripAdvisor, world largest travel site

Air Asia Inflight - Travel 3Sixty Article Mention 

By Carol West, June 2012

Sydney Sun-Herald – Australian Leading Newspaper 

By Carol West, August 2012

Apartmen Liburan - “Mango Tree Place : Hideaway” 

By FZ Aimmann, October 2014 

PERSONAL RECOGNITION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Featured on BFM 89.9 Business Radio Station

Entrepreneur Interview for Mango Tree Place May 2014

Awarded, co-winner of RTKL Travelling Fellowship

RTKL 2000

Recipient, Creative Award of Merit in Architectural Rendering

University of Oklahoma 1999

Recipient, Michael & Mary Mahaffey Scholarship Award

University of Oklahoma College of Architecture, 1998

Selected Entry, Lyceum Travel Fellowship Design Competition

University of Oklahoma College of Architecture, 1998

Second Place Winner, University of Kansas Illustration Competition

University of Kansas 1997

Third Place Winner, University of Kansas Illustration Competition

University of Kansas 1997

Recipient, Certificate of Outstanding Service for Schematic Design of Animal Adoption Centre,

City of Norman, Oklahoma 1996

Awarded, “Graphic Documentation” Grant for Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program

University of Oklahoma, 1996 

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Please click image link above to download interiors PDF portfolio. ( updated 2020 )