Principal, DesignTone Interior Practice

Joe Chan

IDr Joe WH Chan is a leading Malaysian interior designer, academic contributor, and professional advocate with over two decades of influence across practice, education, and institutional leadership. As Principal of Designtone, an award-winning interior design practice, he has shaped contemporary Malaysian interiors through work that is context-driven, culturally responsive, and pragmatically innovative. His approach prioritises responsiveness over stylistic expression, allowing each project to be defined by its people, place, and purpose.

Beyond professional practice, Joe has made significant academic contributions. He has lectured at universities and colleges throughout Malaysia, served on industry advisory panels shaping interior design curricula, and acted as an accreditation panelist under the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM). His work consistently bridges academia and industry, ensuring graduates are equipped with both conceptual rigour and professional readiness.

At national and international levels, Joe is a committed advocate for the profession. He currently serves as Deputy President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) and The Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), and sits on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), representing Malaysia in global discourse. Through these roles, he champions professional standards, education pathways, and the recognition of interior design as a critical built-environment discipline.

A frequent keynote speaker, juror, and conference chair, Joe’s work has earned numerous national and international design awards, reflecting both design excellence and sustained contribution to the profession.