Designs That Reward Observation

Ming Thein, creative director and co-founder of Ming, an independent Kuala Lumpur-based timepiece brand, talks design and inspiration

- Sim Wie Boon

Ming, established in 2017 by Malaysian photographer Ming Thein, is known for its distinctive approach to watchmaking, emphasising clarity, simplicity and depth in design. The brand’s design philosophy revolves around creating timepieces that offer both functional elegance and a unique visual appeal, characterised by minimalist aesthetics combined with intricate details.

“We went into this very naive, thinking that we could make things which were different and interesting as well as financially accessible and all that kind of stuff,” Thein admits, reflecting on the brand’s early days. This initial optimism was soon tempered by the realities of maintaining a viable business, which necessitated a shift towards sustainability not only in design but also across all operations.

Thein describes the evolution from producing singular, unique projects to establishing a sustainable business model. “We realised that it’s very different to make a one-off project as opposed to running a business around it. And the whole idea of running a business around it made us realise that we had to make it a lot more sustainable. Both from a long-term customer service, partnership, supply chain, and also from a design language point of view,” he explains. This shift was pivotal in ensuring that the brand could endure the test of time and carve out a niche for itself in the crowded market.