SINGAPORE — July 7, 2026 — The World Design Business Organization (WDBO) today announced the appointment of highly acclaimed multidisciplinary designer Prof. Keat Ong as Director-General for Global Design Associations.

In this newly created executive leadership role, Prof. Ong will spearhead the dedicated design associations pillar of WDBO: a specialized pillar arm focused on design associations’ leadership globally to ensure their long-term economic resilience and industry influence.

 

Unrivaled Leadership in Association Building

Prof. Keat Ong, the founder of Keat Ong Design, brings an unparalleled legacy of unifying and elevating professional design bodies. As the past President of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) and a three-term former President of the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS), he has been the architect behind some of the region’s most significant industry milestones.

He was instrumental in establishing the Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Council (SIDAC), initiating the Asia Pacific Interior Designers Accreditation Program (AP-ID-AP), and launching the highly prestigious APSDA Awards. His proven ability to transition design bodies from traditional non-profits into robust, standards-driven institutions perfectly aligns with WDBO’s mandate to shape the economics of design worldwide.

 

Driving Commercial Transformation for Global Design Bodies

Leading the strategic diplomacy for this vital ecosystem, Prof. Ong will focus on:

• Leading the Design Associations Pillar: Welcoming national and regional associations into the WDBO network, helping them transition into economically viable entities through IP monetization, operational restructuring, and elevated, globally recognized award programs.
• New Design Power Index for Global Design Associations: WDBO will introduce a proprietary index to evaluate and rank world design associations based on their commercial viability, influence, and economic impact. This groundbreaking new index will be officially announced on 9th September at the World Design Business Forum, serving as a global catalyst for associations to elevate their standards and embrace commercial transformation.

 

Executive Perspectives

Lawrence Chong, Secretary General of WDBO and Group CEO of Consulus:

“Prof. Keat Ong is a visionary who understands that for design to change the world, the institutions representing it must first be economically resilient. His track record of transforming legacy associations into dynamic, unified platforms is unparalleled. With Keat at the helm of the WDBO design associations pillar, we are aggressively scaling our capacity to bring strategic transformation and commercial viability to design associations globally.”

Prof. Keat Ong, Director-General for Global Design Associations, WDBO:

“For decades, design associations have championed the creative spirit of our industry, yet many remain heavily reliant on traditional membership dues, struggling to capture the massive economic value they generate. I am thrilled to join the executive leadership team at WDBO. Together, we will transform these vital organizations into powerful commercial entities. We are no longer just advocating for the value of design; we are actively structuring its economic future.”

 

About WDBO

Launched in 2025 to mark 40 years of design leadership in Singapore, the World Design Business Organization (WDBO) is the premier global platform dedicated to advancing the business and economics of design. WDBO tracks and elevates the measurable value of design generated by companies that drive economic growth and social impact, notably through the pioneering Design Power Index (DPI).