Malaysian graphic designer quits his job to pursue entrepreneurship
ANN/THE STAR – Nine years ago, graphic designer Wan Noorazhardy Wan Ismail acquired a pair of locally crafted, handmade gladiator leather sandals. The exquisite artistry displayed in these sandals piqued his curiosity in the world of leatherwork, ultimately motivating him to venture into crafting leather goods himself.
Reflecting on the moment, Wan Noorazhardy, 41, shared, “I was captivated by the beauty of the handmade leather sandals. I connected with the man who made the sandals and we became friends. Over time, I became interested in learning more about crafting leather. I bought a piece of A4-sized leather hide, and I managed to create a simple phone case using scissors, nails, and a needle and thread. That was my first product.”
The initial creation, a handmade phone case, sparked a previously undiscovered passion for leathercraft, ultimately laying the foundation for his modest yet flourishing creative enterprise.
“In 2015, I joined a small local community of leather enthusiasts from the East Coast. The community served as a platform for crafters to share ideas, techniques, and also suppliers. The collaborative environment fueled my interest further and I even started receiving orders from friends and acquaintances. To enhance my knowledge, I turned to social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.”
In 2017, Wan Noorazhardy quit his job as a graphic designer to focus entirely on leather crafting, under his brand Herdy Leathercraft.
“Before fully committing to leathersmithing, I did leatherwork on a part-time basis while working as a graphic designer in an advertising firm. In 2017, I transitioned to running my home business. It was a big step, but I made the career switch because of my passion for leathersmithing.
“Before working as a graphic designer, I tried other businesses like running a grocery store, cyber cafe, and selling herbs. And I didn’t mind trying out a new profession.
“Pursuing your passion is important because when you do what you love, you become good at it.
“Challenges don’t stop you; they keep you going. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful I have the support of my family members. So far, business has been good, and I’m grateful I earn enough to pay the bills,” said the father of three. But the transition from a part-time hobbyist to a full-time leather artisan wasn’t without challenges.
Limited access to knowledge, stitching techniques, leather supplies, and tools required Wan Noorazhardy to rely on fellow crafters. However, his dedication to the craft and willingness to learn helped him overcome these hurdles.
LEARNING ALONG THE WAY
“Another challenge is in figuring out how to sustain the business. Although it is good that there are new leather crafters now, the main challenge for me is maintaining my edge,” said Wan Noorazhardy. “Some might compete on price but maintaining product quality is crucial. When you prioritise quality, you retain existing customers and attract new ones,” shared Wan Noorazhardy, who specialises in handcrafted wallets, note holders, and handbags. The starting price of his products is at MYR30.
To stand apart from his competition, Wan Noorazhardy offers customisation. For handmade goods, enthusiasts often value uniqueness and craftsmanship, he said. So, he offers customisation in the design, size, leather type, and colour as well as the accessories that go into a particular item.
“My custom-made items are unique and will be even more special to my customers. They can even bear the customer’s name.” – Sheela Chandran
Architecture graduate leaves conventional role, follows passion
ANN/THE STAR – Despite earning a degree in architecture, Raja Akif Raja Muhammad Ariff, 28, didn’t have much enthusiasm for the conventional role of an architect, involving tasks such as designing blueprints, conceptual drawings, or renderings.
Instead, in 2017, the Universiti Malaya graduate opted to follow his heart and embark on a journey to become a skilled leather crafter.
“I come from a family of crafters. My dad loves carpentry, leather crafting, and painting. Growing up in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Dad and I spent hours crafting things for our home like wood cabinets; we also did origami and stone sculpting. My mother loves sewing, and my older sister runs a crafting business in Johor,” he said.
“After my graduation, I wanted to become a product designer, and focus on crafting. With some financial aid from my varsity professor and my parents, I bought a laser cutting machine and started a small business producing woodcraft items like trophies and plaques.
“Then, I decided to try my hand at leather crafting. I started by making leather card holders and slowly explored new product designs for wallets and handbags,” said Raja Akif.
What started as a hobby gradually transformed into a full-fledged business called Kotak Ilham.
He now runs his humble business in Taman OUG Parklane in Jalan Puchong, Kuala Lumpur with four staff.
“I’ve always been drawn to the tactile nature of materials. Leather, in particular, offers a unique canvas for my creativity,” said Raja Akif, who makes about 50 handbags a month.
CREATIVITY UNBOXED
While Malaysia may not be known for leather goods, there is an increasing interest and appreciation for locally-made leather products that are unique and also more affordable. Artisans like Raja Akif are feeding the demand for homegrown products.
“Most of my customers are from Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. They come across my products on my Instagram. My target audience is those who value genuine and affordable leather products,” he explained.
He now has over 100 leather product designs under his label, including book covers, handbags, duffel bags and travel bags.
“Generally, Malaysians like crossbody bags, mini bucket bags and phone pouches.
“The bucket handbag is trending now, as more women seem to like the ‘relaxed’ bag look,” shared the father of one, who learned how to craft leather products from watching videos on social media.
Raja Akif said that his architectural knowledge and training do come to good use in the design and construction of his products.
“My designs are inspired by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who employs the concept of minimalism. I turn to digital software for fabrication, where our designs are digitised into computer-aided design files so we can reprint them. We use Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to generate personalised logos,” said Raja Akif.
He uses vegetable-tanned leather (where leather is dyed using natural products like olive leaves, coffee bean shells and oak bark) and chrome-tanned leather (dyed using chemicals, acids and salts).
It can take between a day to a week to create a bag, depending on the level of complexity.
“First, the leather is chosen based on thickness and durability. Then, the design is printed on the leather. Next, the hide is manually cut and then handstitched. The last step is sanding and bevelling, which helps to smoothen the edges of our leather products.”
While he is keenly aware that Kotak Ilham is a young brand, he is happy with their following so far.
“We try to constantly come up with new designs that follow fashion trends,” he said. – Sheela Chandran
