A Taste For Design

We speak to the design director of Wilson Associates Singapore’s Blueplate Studios, Dennis Tan, who generously shares the secret behind great F&B interior design that have us drooling

- Dennis Tan

What is fundamental to your design practice – your philosophy and your process?

Always allow yourself time to be inspired, the rest will follow as you start peeling away layers while in the depths of research. Listening to people when they share their stories, thoughts and experiences is a good way to gain inspiration. This includes clients, operators and guests. They all have one thing in common: they want your attention. You also need to be observant of the surroundings, architecture and the urban landscape of where your design process and focus would begin, be it a bar, lounge, a local speciality restaurant, or a fine dining restaurant; it all relates to the people and the guests’ experience. I think about how I can create a unique moment that would etch a mental postcard, because at the end of the day, the four integral parts of any successful F&B destination I design is a combination of ambience, comfort, great food, and people.

Who or what are some of your influences? Which other designers, artists or other creatives do you admire?