ONE Asia Heads to Kuala Lumpur for First-Ever Judging in Malaysia

Sep. 30, 2026

The One Club for Creativity’s ONE Asia Creative Awards brings its judging to Malaysia for the first time, gathering leading creative talent from across Asia-Pacific in Kuala Lumpur to judge this year’s entries and engage with the country’s creative community, emerging talent, and culture.

A total of 42 judges from 15 countries and regions will convene at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur from 17-19 October, 2026, with leading Malaysian production company Directors Think Tank serving as exclusive judging sponsor.

The judging will be followed on 20 October with a special student MasterClass and portfolio reviews presented with Level Up, giving young Malaysian creatives the opportunity to learn directly from experienced creative leaders from across the region.  Details will be announced shortly.

The Kuala Lumpur programme reflects ONE Asia’s broader approach to building a more connected Asia-Pacific creative community by holding judging in a different city in the region each year, enabling jurors to engage directly with local talent, industry, and culture.

Tay Guan Hin, Director, APAC Region, The One Club for Creativity said:

"Asia-Pacific creativity doesn’t come from one place, and ONE Asia shouldn’t either. Holding judging in Kuala Lumpur gives regional creative leaders the chance to experience Malaysia, meet its creative community, and exchange perspectives with the next generation. Those relationships are what make the region stronger."

 

Bringing Malaysia Into the Judging Experience

Judges will gain a deeper understanding of Malaysia through local food, hospitality, creative voices, and cultural experiences.  The partnership with Directors Think Tank grounds the judging experience locally, ensuring that visiting jurors encounter Malaysia through the perspective of its own creative community.

Rajay Singh, Director and co-founder of Directors Think Tank said:

“Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, languages and perspectives, which makes our creatives naturally adaptable. The best work comes from being true to who we are, and Malaysia gives us no shortage of great stories to tell.”

 

"ONE Family. Many Worlds." — Handcrafted by Malaysian Artist Aston Choong

That “melting pot” concept for Malaysia — and APAC overall — is reflected in the visual identity created for this year’s judging: “ONE Family. Many Worlds.”, a hand-crafted work created by Malaysian illustrator and director Aston Choong at CUE Art & Design Associates in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian references are woven throughout the work, including the durian, Malayan tiger, hornbill, tropical vegetation, traditional forms, colourful costumes and local visual motifs, expressed through the distinctive hand-drawn linework, exaggerated characters, movement, and humour.

Choong said:

"I was inspired by the idea of Asia-Pacific as a vibrant meeting place of cultures, personalities, traditions and everyday experiences. At the heart of the illustration is the idea that although we may come from different backgrounds, we share a sense of community and connection."

 

Choong’s handcrafted approach follows on the theme set with ONE Asia’s 2026 “Where Taste Matters” call for entries campaign created by Muma Malaysia, based in Petaling Jaya.  That work makes the case that in a world flooded with generated content, taste — the kind that comes from instinct, experience, and genuine human judgment — is the only thing left that separates the memorable from the forgettable.  

Season Zhou, APAC Director, Growth and Partnership, The One Club for Creativity said:

"We’re proud to work with our Malaysian partners to bring ONE Asia to Kuala Lumpur. Our aim is to work with local creatives, gain a better understanding of the culture, engage the community, and create connections that continue beyond the event itself."

 

ONE Asia 2026 finalists will be announced on 9 November, and winners announced on 24 November.  Winners earn points toward the ONE Asia Creative Rankings, The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings, and the Campaign Brief Asia Rankings.