BLINK Design Group is broadening the horizons of its team through a new programme of travel grant ‘rewards’ and talent swaps with likeminded industry innovators.
The inaugural S.W.A.P. programme, a six-week cultural and design exchange with Keiji Architects in Tokyo, allows participants from both firms to immerse themselves in new projects while gleaning invaluable insights into different markets and practices.
BLINK founder and creative visionary Clint Nagata called the programme an exciting way to reward and inspire talented team members, while helping strengthen BLINK’s foothold in Japan.
“Talent inspires talent and needs constant nourishing,” said Nagata.
“One handpicked designer from each firm will participate in the
exchange, with potential to expand globally with other likeminded firms
in key destinations.”
BLINK has already established its own following in Japan with its award-winning work on the Six Senses Kyoto. Other recent notable projects for the firm include Banyan Tree Dongguan Songshan Lake, Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li, Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort, Six Senses Uluwatu, Roku Kyoto LXR Resort, Regent Phu Quoc and Amanoi Spa Houses.
Meanwhile, BLINK’s Kayte McMillan A Wish to Remember Travel Award series, now in its 6th year, has five travel grants set to be awarded for high-performing team members in 2025 to visit the destination of their dreams.
The first of 2025’s winners is Ploypak Ayasanond, a designer from BLINK’s Bangkok studio. She has visited Japan and was thrilled to view the two completed BLINK projects in person.
"This trip could be said as an opportunity for my personal growth to explore the culture of the places where I can learn and of course recharging myself,” Ayasanond said.
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| Source: BLINK website. The central lobby space at Six Senses Kyoto overlooks the inner courtyard of the resort. Ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arrangement) displays, natural materials and earthen textures encourage a connection to nature in the interiors. |
“Experiencing Six Senses Kyoto allowed me to truly appreciate how thoughtful design can transform a space into a sanctuary—where every detail, from the materials to the ambiance, fosters a profound sense of peace and connection. To create spaces that resonate with cultural authenticity and sensory engagement.
“I am grateful in receiving this award, this has been an inspiring milestone and profoundly enriching. The experiences and insights gained have significantly contributed to my development as a designer. I am thankful to BLINK for fostering an environment that encourages us to be explorers, not just designers. And thank you to Kayte for being a continual source of inspiration to all of us.”
Kayte McMillan, a BLINK design director who died from cancer in 2018, was known for her lust for life and love of travel and new experiences. To celebrate her memory, selected team members get a trip to remember as well as an experience that will help fuel their passion for travel, hospitality and embracing new places while truly living BLINK’s brand values.
Nagata said the award has become a story of motivation, inspiration and reward for team members. “The spirit of travel and exploration is perfectly aligned with BLINK’s philosophy,” Nagata said.
“I was incredibly fortunate to work closely with Kayte McMillan. She was an amazing individual who really had a strong passion for travel and for life, and she was taken from us tragically far too soon. In her honour we created a travel grant for to reward team members who are excelling, so they can recharge, get inspired and experience the different aspects of travel and living abroad, seeing and experiencing amazing things.
There is no greater inspiration than the world around us and we encourage everyone at BLINK to be an explorer, and to strive for excellence so that they might win the award.”
BLINK has studios in Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai and London.
