< PreviousDesign news commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 10 Art Jameel takes product design pieces online Art Jameel joins the digital revolution with its fi rst online arts store, just in time for the season of gifting. Purchases from the Art Jameel Shop will be used to contribute to the work of Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai's Al Jadaf, where the fl agship store opened two years ago. Online shoppers will fi nd original and limited edition goods by more than 85 regional and international artists, conceived, curated and managed entirely by the Art Jameel team. Brands include Tamashee, Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts and Kees Chic, in addition to limited-edition collectors’ items created by artists and designers Faissal El-Malak, HAH ceramics, Xeina AlMalki, Hemali Bhuta and Shreyas Karle. The shop also includes a wide selection of publications from independent and established publishers, including Sharjah Art Foundation, Kaph Books, Luqoom and Studio Safar. For now, shipping is to the UAE only. Tasty revamp for the interiors at Benjarong Dubai Dubai-based Creative Clinic, founded by Ceebo Shah and Khalid Sharan, was given the challenge of bringing a much-loved Thai restaurant up-to-date. Benjarong, the Thai restaurant on the 24th fl oor of Dusit Thani Dubai, is the hotel's signature culinary venue. Designers transformed the classic restaurant space with a vibrant display of colour, which they say stylishly preserves its rich heritage. Benjarong is a name derived from the Thai word for 'fi ve colours', commonly used in reference to porcelain wares of the highest quality, but here forming the design journey of the restaurant's interiors. Large hand-woven lanterns hang above plush velvet sofas and an elegant light installation with backlit, gold-leafed, circular lights gives a nod to the full moon festivities of Thailand. The restaurant's picturesque views of Burj Khalifa and Downtown cityscape have been tastefully exemplifi ed by white frames, which capture the sweeping views of the city, but the designers feel add a fun feel to the setting. Miniature terracotta furniture by KATCONA A fresh look for the food-lovers' favourite Design news commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 12 New 'affordable luxury' cushion line by Vida R uses designer off-cuts A debut collection for new cushion brand Dodo uses fabric from designer brands that were destined for land-fi ll. Across three themes dedicated to the lost privileges during the pandemic, the founder mixes and matches designer fabrics from Designers Guild, Ralph Lauren Home, William Yeoward and John Derian and experiments with cushion sizes to produce a colourful entry into the market. The Debut Collection themes – Seven Seas, Air Provençal and Designed by Nature – recall sea, travel and nature. Limited numbers of each cushion will be handmade by craftsmen in the UAE and a bespoke service is available for interior designers, event companies and the hospitality sector. Dodo founder Vida Rizq, styled as Vida R, grew up between Lebanon and London but has lived in the UAE since 2004. She says: "I wanted to create happy memories at a time when the world as we know it is in jeopardy. I allowed myself to let a childhood passion for fabrics resurface and transform into a business." Cove Beach opens second UAE location a new Makers District Popular beach club Cove Beach has opened a venue in Abu Dhabi. The brand-new licensed beach club is the fi rst premises of its kind to open on Reem Island. It contains a 100-seat outdoor restaurant and lounge as well as a beach and pool that can host up to 1,000 people. This is Cove Beach’s second venue, following the popular location at Bluewaters Dubai and the fi rst to open at the new Maker's District, which faces Saadiyat Island. Prospect Design International is behind the interior and exterior design of both projects in the UAE. Due to be completed in 2021 and designed in partnership with Dutch architectural fi rm MVRDV, Makers District is pitched as being a magnet for creatives, entrepreneurs and innovators. Future phases of the Makers District masterplan include a waterfront boutique hotel, F&B outlets and co-working spaces. 'Let's Go Sailing' recalls the joy of travel Let's go to the beach...commercialinteriordesign.com/events/cid-awards WELL DONE! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AT THE COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2020 PRESENTED BY #CIDAWARDS SOCIAL MEDIA SPONSORGOLD SPONSORFIT-OUT PARTNERSILVER SPONSORSCATEGORY SPONSORSENVIRONMENT PARTNERANALYTICS PARTNER OFFICIAL SANITISER PARTNERIn the studio commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 14 IN THE STUDIO WITH... Artist Clare Napper, behind the Highlife Vintage poster collection depicting expat life in Dubai Introduce yourself. My name is Clare Napper, and I am a British artist and designer. I arrived in Dubai in 2007, and after 14 years in design and advertising, I left to pursue independent projects and in 2014 I started my 'Highlife Vintage' poster collection. Describe your studio to us. My home design studio is full of natural light, in my very sunny villa in Jumeirah 3. How does your day at work typically start? Work starts with coffee and breakfast at the computer, checking emails and possibly amending the day’s ‘to-do’ list. Mornings are usually for admin and business – I rarely get creative until the afternoon and I work best in the evening. What are you working on right now? At the moment I am working on an exciting project with #TheItalianWay. Together we have created the 'Vita Con Stile' collection of postcards as part of a four- month campaign, inspired by the rich Italian brand heritage and paying homage to the UAE. There will be one postcard released every month and this will be available to anyone who purchases three pints or four bottles of #TheItalianWay beverages at any of the participating outlets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. More details of the participating outlets can be found on the @TheItalianWayUAE. It is a huge honour to work with such an iconic brand, wrapped in history and style – a great muse for this project and a chance for me to explore a slightly different art style. Here's Clare In the studio 15 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Above, her work and below, Clare's funky trainers What are the high points and challenges of the day? My main challenge is trying to fi nd time to do my creative work while running a business – there are always interruptions and issues to attend to. And of course, trying to fi t in exercise, grocery shopping and a bit of socialising – there are never enough hours in the day! How and where do you seek inspiration? My fi rst collection was inspired by our very unique ‘Dubaisms’ – the quirks of every day life that only seem to happen here. Since then, my inspiration comes from different areas of the UAE, whether that’s a neighbourhood or a destination – there are still so many places left to capture! The 'Vita Con Stile' was a fantastic project to take on as it was brimming with new ideas for new avenues for my art. The collection is inspired by four themes, Fashion, Travel, Food and Design that make up the essence of the #TheItalianWay. Like the rest of my posters, they are modelled on travel and tourism ads from the early 20th century while also featuring iconic UAE landmarks. Style should be about playing with your own identity and having fun, and I think this message is clear throughout the collection - I'm thrilled to have been able to celebrate this for one of my all-time favourite brands. Describe your desk to us. At the moment there is a vase of lovely roses and lilies, my Mac setup (which is where it all happens), and my cat Teddy, who always seems to want to lie down on my keyboard when I am busy typing. I am listening to my favourite podcast: 'TalkArt' by gallerist Robert Diament and actor/art collector, Russell Tovey. Tell us three bookmarks on your browser I have the highlife-dubai.com link to the back end of my online store which is always open. Then I have inspiring bookmarks such as theartnewspaper.com and a few vintage poster sites for reference. I also love checking @TheItalianWayUAE to keep up with how and where people have been putting their copies of the ‘Vita Con Stile’ postcards in their homes. The response so far has been really positive and people seem to love the collaboration. I’m looking forward to the next few months to see how the other postcards will be received. What are your three must-follows on design industry social media? The accounts for designboom, swissgraphic and designeverywhere all spring to mind. What do you love about your offi ce space? I love the natural light – and I love the fact that my space has been ‘created’ from an open area in the upstairs of my villa with the use of fl oor-length white curtains spanning fi ve metres and double height white book case. When does your day end? I work until 11pm or midnight at least three or four days a week. Then a cup of tea and my Kindle to unwind. What’s the last thing you do before you call it a day/leave the offi ce? I make my to-do list /schedule for the next day, so I know exactly what I’m doing and can sleep soundly.Opinion commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 16 Hashtag #trending Aseel Abu Gazzi, design lecturer at Capital College on fi ve post-pandemic movements arising in the interior design industry COVID-19 has become a part of our everyday discussions and with its growing prominence; many industries are witnessing a shift. The interior design industry is one of those who are remaining to be optimistic and are seeing some unexpected trends that can impact the industry positively and open an avenue for creativity to thrive. As I sit in a closed space and pen this down, my question remains – what are these trends and how are interior designers aiming to introduce them, post the pandemic. Here are some trends that can potentially be implemented while keeping stringent protocols in mind. AN INCREASE IN INDIVIDUAL WORK STATIONS As 2020 kicked off, many organisations had planned to eliminate individual work stations and instead implement an open design concept that would allow employees to collaborate effectively. However, with the current times, this spatial organisation may not be feasible or safe. Interior designers are looking at social spaces that accommodate only a few people, while keeping social distancing in mind. The design will be more focused on personalisation and will emphasise on comfort, safety and fl exibility to communicate despite being placed in individual stations. Offi ce spaces are designed in a way that enhances employee productivity while using material that does not require high maintenance. TECHNOLOGY- SUPPORTED DESIGN With the aid of technology, designers can look at creating spaces that are work- asset and considering voice control or touchless tech in offi ce spaces for these functions. Some of the ways on how designs can be improvised along with technology are motion lights/sensors while entering a room, doors that can open with facial recognition, or making a cup of coffee by simply pressing a button on one's smartphone, rather than tapping on the machine itself. Other examples include installing air purifi ers that will monitor the air quality indoors or new air/water fi ltrations. An ultraviolet lamp is another application that can be integrated into conference rooms to kill bacteria and other germs. FURNITURE & FINISHES Most people are not currently looking at extravagant modifi cations, but instead they are giving more importance to comfort and safety. With furniture in commercial spaces, outlets, cafes, restaurants could friendly and safe. Employers are looking at installing systems that do not require a touch to open doors, faucets, buttons on an elevator and many others. Instead, corporations are using technology as an The college's reception was a project for interior design studentsOpinion 17 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com Capital College In technical collaboration with London College of Arts, Capital Collge offers a Professional Diploma in Interior Design. Through this program, the students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience on diverse design elements and participate in events, consultancy projects and internships. They will also have the opportunity to apply for membership at the British Institute of Interior Design, UK and the Dubai Design and Fashion Council. At the end of the course, they'll receive certifi cates endorsed by London College of Arts, and Qualifi , UK awarding organisation, regulated by Ofqual. look at easily reconfi gured recliners that do not pose too much hassle while sanitising. Also, microfi bre chairs and couches are becoming more popular as they are great at cleaning up any spills. Some microfi bre sofas require a small amount of alcohol on a damp cloth and the stains disappear within seconds. Alternatively, designers are keeping an eye on fi nishing details. Self-cleaning surfaces are class apart, as they possess the inherent ability to remove bacteria, debris and other dirt, so we see corporations converting unhygienic touch- points into self-cleaning ones. NEW DESIGNS FOR NEW SPACES A need for contactless delivery has accelerated. With small spaces, soon it only makes sense to create a dedicated space for drop-offs. This can also be helpful for large hypermarkets and cafes, where the goods are dispatched in a regular spot that's frequently sanitised. Designers are already looking into the sustainable front with the use of the right technology, as everyone is looking at cutting down utility bills in commercial spaces. Solar panels and geothermal are cost-effective and long-lasting. TRANSPARENCY IN DESIGN Like on the roads, we are very much accustomed to seeing signs, maps and directions for our convenience. In the same way, designers are also making spaces user-friendly by adding an element of transparency with the aid of emblems, fl oor stickers and decals. These could communicate on social distancing, sustainability, hygiene and many such topics without in a subtle yet effective way. For instance, people are using creative and interactive designs to ensure that workers on a lift maintain social distancing. If you have narrow corridors, you could consider turning them into a one-way route with the help of stickers. All in all, it is important for companies to maintain transparency with their employees without being too loud and establish effective cleaning protocols. Over the last two to three years, the interior design industry was upskilling in terms of luxury, extravagance and opulence. Since the coronavirus outbreak, designers are taking an unconventional approach that will not only enhance the overall look and feel of the space but are giving importance to safety and comfort; making it as their priority. Big ideas happen here Grade A for colourful interiorsCover feature commercialinteriordesign.com December 2020 18 FUTURECover feature 19 December 2020 commercialinteriordesign.com PROOF We unpack the 2020 edition of Dubai Design Week and hear plans for its futureNext >