Blink Design Group Launches New Dubai Studio After Celebrating 2022 With a Slew of Prestigious Global Awards
Founder Clint Nagata aims to forge lasting connections and an enduring presence in the vibrant Middle East market
After a banner year in 2022 for BLINK Design Group marked by awards from around the world, BLINK is embarking on the next chapter of success with the launch of a new studio in Dubai to focus on the Middle East. Located in Dubai’s prestigious and creative enclave Design District D3, some of BLINK’s most experienced designers and brilliant new talents will bring BLINK’s philosophy of ‘placemaking’ to the vibrant and fast-moving Middle East hospitality scene. BLINK’s Dubai studio will join the group’s studios in Bangkok, Shanghai and Singapore, and become part of BLINK’s collective of bold thinkers with an open-minded approach that nourishes collaboration and creativity.
After picking up the Ahead 2022 award for Best Guestrooms, as well as being a finalist for Best Newbuild Hotel for its interiors for W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, not to mention being shortlisted as Interior Designer of the Year at the Commercial Interior Design Awards 2022 in Singapore, securing a base of operations in the Middle East was the next logical step. W Dubai – Mina Seyahi saw BLINK created a stunning modern bohemian vision inspired by traditional Dhow boats, the romance of travel and the ancient Arabic storytelling tradition of Al-Halqa, located in the heart of Al Mina Al Seyahi, the legendary ‘Port of Travellers’ district of Jumeirah Beach, home to the glittering Dubai International Marine Club and its 300-berth marina. BLINK founder and creative partner Clint Nagata said Dubai was BLINK’s first step in a journey to forge a lasting presence in the Middle East.
“We have long been establishing connections there and timing-wise, the stars were aligned With the opening of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi and an increased interest in clients willing to look eastwards, we were getting shortlisted for more projects, so it seemed the right time. Dubai is emerging as the creative hub in the region. It is the next step in our journey, and with possible projects ranging from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and Oman, it’s the perfect move at the perfect time. I’m really excited for this next chapter for BLINK.My design philosophy is to take both out clients and guests on a journey that tells the story of a place through a modern design lens, We seek to create wonderful interior based designs that capture the spirit of the place through simplicity, balance, and proportion.Throughout the years I have never been one to get caught up in trends and trends come and go. I have always felt a strong desire to be timeless and believe in simplicity, balance, and proportion. These design traits have always been synonymous with our designs regardless of the location. At the start of every project we make it a point to look at the project through the lens of a local – as if we were born and raised there and not through the lens of a foreigner. To be successful, the design needs to resonate with locals and visitors alike. Although it seems quite simple, it can be challenging and requires us to deep dive into the place in order to understand the true elements that define the uniqueness of a place through its history.”
– Clint Nagata, BLINK founder and creative partner
2022 saw BLINK has scooped an impressive selection of regional and international awards for its work on hotels and resorts that are setting a new bar for excellence in hospitality design. In Asia, BLINK won the award for Best Guestrooms at Ahead Asia awards for Roku Kyoto, Hilton’s first LXR resort in the Asia Pacific. BLINK’s concept is “steeped in the culture of Kyoto but presented with a beautifully restrained hand”, described by one judge as “fresh and contemporary whilst still honouring tradition.”
Roku Kyoto was also a finalist for Best Resort at the Ahead Asia awards, while also scooping Best Resort at Kohler Bold 2022 and Best Hotel Interior at the International Property Awards. Further afield, Roku Kyoto was a finalist in the US at the prestigious 42nd Gold Key awards, for Best Luxury Guestroom and Best Luxury Lobby. BLINK also made the finals for its Regent Phu Quoc project for Best Luxury Resort at the Gold Key awards.
Regent Phu Quoc, the new jewel in the crown of Regent Hotels, required the creation of something special on Vietnam’s premier paradise island; an all-suites and villas luxury beach resort, utilising a multi-dimensional approach for every major guest-facing space, deliberately spread horizontally and stacked vertically so that all guests enjoy an optimum view of the natural setting. In the UK, at the 6th Brit List Hotel Design Awards, Nagata and BLINK were shortlisted in the International Award category.
Roku Kyoto, as well as the Fullerton Ocean Park Hong Kong, both made DestinAsian magazine’s prestigious 2022 Luxe List. Of the latter, DestinAsian enthused: Filling the gap for a luxury leisure resort within easy distance of the city center is The Fullerton Ocean Park, which opened in July with a prime waterfront position overlooking Aberdeen Harbour and the South China Sea. There’s a glorious outdoor infinity pool, a lush Bamford spa, rooftop pool suites, rooms with balconies, and a clutch of tip-top restaurants.
And to round out a year of success for BLINK and its founder, Nagata was also delighted to take out Singapore’s coveted Interior Designer of the Year 2022 Designers’ Choice award. Nagata said he was humbled and honoured by the success of his firm and its inspiring team. Under a guiding philosophy he has dubbed ‘placemaking’, Nagata steers projects from conception through to completion based on big ideas rooted in a deep dive into the culture, people and design vernacular of a place.
About BLINK Design Group
BLINK Design Group, founded by Clint Nagata, is a leading multi-disciplinary design studio with 17 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry. With projects spanning almost every continent and having worked with the world’s most renowned luxury hotel and resort brands,