FOUNDER'S FOOTPRINT
MOVING ALONG STEP BY STEP
ED MUN
Creative doyen, Ed Mun, has been in the interior design space for nearly 40 years. He is the founder of Malaysia’s multi-million dollar design firm, Space Utilization Analyst (S.U.A) Interior established in 1989 under the banner of Virtuals Space Sdn Bhd. In his capacity as brand chief and design director, he brings to his multi-faceted role specialized expertise in commercial design as well as other areas.
1960s: The man behind the magnate
Space Utilization Analyst chief executive officer, Ed Mun, was the kind of kid who would stand by the side of a road and sketch any car that caught his eye. Each day, he strove to perfect his freehand skills. Whether it was drawing in the sand, doing pencil illustrations on yellowing newspapers, or immersing in charcoal-inspired doodles from as young as five, he was as artistically-inclined as he was introverted. Then a self-shaped apprentice of few words, he relied entirely on his art as an escape and his makeshift canvases as his mood board of self-expression. Second-born among four children to a carpenter father and homemaker mother, it was the vastly humble beginnings of his family of six that led him to retreat into his innately creative self to break his talent out of its shell. Forty years on, the interior design giant is today one of the most prolific names in the field. Yet, his acumen was not accrued in a day.
1980s: Fighter carved from fortitude
Ed remembers how at 18 he showed up three days in a row at the principal’s office of the Malaysian Institute of Art to alter the cards he was dealt. Having done poorly in the government-administered SPM examinations, he braved the implications of being a high school dropout and begged his way into admission. He knew becoming a creative was the only career path for him. Twice he was shown the door, until finally, the shaker seated at the art college’s helm was moved by his bold determination and made him whip up a trio of ad-hoc pieces. On the spot, he curated a portrait of her, sketch of a tiger’s facial profile, and nature scene. Impressed by his ability, she accepted his plea, but not without laying out stringent performance markers. That was the day the fledgling artist vowed to give back to the community and be the top student.
1990s: Maverick meets mean machine
Upon graduation at 21, the trailblazer took a job to which he rode a bicycle daily and began his rugged journey as the director’s apprentice who made coffee, did office spring cleaning, and took friendly fire in the form of harsh reprimands at his mentorship stage. Honoring every one of his past pledges, he hasn't looked back since. Here is a doer who went from being a boy who didn't always have food on the table to rising up as a captain of industry who now runs four companies and oversees his own heads of departments and their respective teams. Speaking of breakfast beverages, the thought leader leans into the knowledge of not being everyone’s cup of tea, on which his stand remains crystal clear. To navigate the highs and lows of a competitive and ever-evolving professional landscape, one needs to be of a particular paradigm and pedigree. The pleasure he takes from business is growth.
2020s: Entrepreneur on expansion trail
Holding under his belt 34 years of business ownership expertise, he rides the volatile tides of an arena which has come a long way since Mun entered the scene around four decades ago. Mun is a rainmaker with the precise mission of disrupting a space which is second nature to him, preparing today’s leading creatives for tomorrow’s challenges, and raising a future generation ready to grab the mantle and go. The 57-year-old gamechanger continues to head up his flagship brand called Space Utilization Analyst, with the expansion of three other enterprises underway. The Ed Mun Academy is focused on technical and vocational training. Insight Interior with Ed Mun serves as the educative and strategic partnerships arm of the parent operation, while the Forum of Innovative Design is its active non-profit organization.
VIRTUALS SPACE SDN BHD
Joining the ranks of Malaysia’s top specialist firms in interior design 34 years ago, Space Utilization Analyst (S.U.A) Interior was introduced in 1989 under the headship of longstanding practitioner and entrepreneur, Ed Mun. Introduced as the flagship brand of our homegrown enterprise, this boutique traces its roots to a modest heritage which began as a two-person operation run out of an spartan base in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. By now a thriving enterprise serving a diverse clientele across the residential, commercial, hospitality, as well as other segments of the industry, S.U.A remains under the original parent banner of Virtuals Space Sdn Bhd.
ED MUN AFFILIATES
FORUM OF INNOVATIVE DESIGN ASSOCIATION (F-IND)
INSIGHT INTERIOR ED MUN
Designer by Choice,
Businessman by Chance
Solid foundation
The brainchild of longtime Malaysian entrepreneur and disruptor, Ed Mun, Insight Interior Ed Mun (IIEM) emerged at the height of the pandemic. Incepted to support an entire fraternity of professionals, it serves as the leadership extension of the interior design doyen’s flagship brand, Space Utilization Analyst Interior. Carrying entrepreneurship-themed programs targeting creative talent intent on furthering their footprint, it was incorporated as a limited liability company in 2022, and is backed by a heritage exceeding 30 years.
Talent elevation
A career-advancing platform seeking to equip postgraduates and practitioners with industry preparedness, IIEM drives a full spectrum of initiatives to include expert-led talks and business networking opportunities. Doubling as a specialized consultancy with direct access to its founder, it is an insights-rich hub built upon valuable connections across various disciplines. A gathering of industry heavyweights under one roof, IIEM delivers a brand of coaching designed to identify strengths and deeply hone skills for next-level elevation.
Seasoned expertise
As a homegrown think tank and launch pad catering to every level of operative across diverse disciplines, we raise the bar on the individual’s performance, quality, and ability to navigate client relationships. As well as a reservoir of knowledge shaped by seasoned expertise carved from experience, here is a banner synonymous with global standards and best practices. We are an ideal avenue for apprentices seeking to grow their corporate profile and creative repertoire - amidst an ever-evolving landscape.
Refined craftsmanship
Structured upon impactful tenets, the foundation of IIEM is definable by the core values of empowerment, fairness, equality, empathy, solidarity, humanity, and economy. The seven pillars which represent what our marque stands for, these embody an organization devoted to setting the benchmark on fine craftsmanship. Beyond the impartation of technical know-hows and data-enabled information, it is a passion project set to shake up the status quo and redefine what the generations of tomorrow will bring to the table.
Empowering education
In addition, education takes center stage here. With the infrastructure and amenities to boot, IIEM believes that a conducive culture and environment are all elements essential to boosting creativity and curriculum. Where we seal the promise of uplifting individuals to betterment and broadening their horizons, our physical home comprises of a facility prioritizing effective learning both offline and online. Marrying the latest in classroom materials and technologies, engagement has never been more seamless.
Ed Mun Academy Sdn Bhd
Incorporated in March 2023 while an HRDC-certified center of vocational and technical education and training, the Ed Mun Academy is positioned at the epicenter of the arena’s appetite for disruption and change. Poised for a fresh wave of academic excellence, we are reinventing the wheel with many firsts. Devoted to grooming the next generation of professionals for tomorrow’s challenges, an exciting array of courses featuring a panel of highly qualified instructors and coaches awaits our scholars of all ages.
Additionally, our far-reaching academy also delivers mentorship webinars, business networking talks, knowledge-sharing workshops, and a certificate program interior styling. Education, acumen, insights, and industry preparedness are the legs on which this framework stands. The initiation of our premium curricula packages underscores our mandate to be a one-stop shop – with value-adding solutions that cater to the needs of creatives desirous of strengthening their individual niche and career benchmarks.
Identifying gaps in an overly saturated space, and in earnest seeking to elevate the concept of tutelage and skills impartation, we appreciate the demand for speed, accuracy, prestige, and pedigree through a single proposition. From technology-ready rooms to other well-equipped pedagogical spaces, expect a zen-themed hub ideal for thinking, learning, creating, collaborating, and progressing. Furthermore, our philanthropist founder, Ed Mun, has his eyes set on giving back to the community via our academy.Focus areas: Architecture, multimedia, branding, interior design, interior styling, artificial intelligence, and carpentry.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Welcome to Ed Mun's official social media pages. Connect with the man himself via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Open and honest about his views, the digital sphere is no stranger to his insights gained over the four decades of experience in the field. Feel free to browse. We trust that the value of his wisdom and depth of his expertise will benefit the following:
1. Up and coming designers – Mentorship on industry dynamics and structure.
2. Client-side brands – Guidance on surveying the market for talent and project success tips.
3. Trade professionals – A business-networking platform to share knowledge and exchange ideas.
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“As much as the space around you can imprison you, it can also free you. That choice is yours to make.”
ed mun,
founder
Achievements and Accolades
VIEW MOREDiscover how we have grown over the past four decades. Check out Ed Mun and the S.U.A Interior journey across our multi-channel selection of social media platforms to see how far we have come and what's next.
