Get to Know 2016 Young Designer Award-Winner Aung Naing Linn
The Raffles College of Higher Education, Interior Design Department student bested over a hundred future designers
Myanmar student Aung Naing Linn – ‘Linnk’ as he is more easily called – recently received Singapore’s Young Designer Award, an annual competition for interior design students held by Design Intervention. Of the five schools that encouraged over a hundred of their students, the Raffles College of Higher Education, Interior Design Department student’s work stood out to the five judges of YDA.
Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention says, “Linnk’s submission stood out, not just to both Andrea (Savage, also of Design Intervention) and I, but to all the other judges too. The submissions all were marked independently by five judges and then the total scores were added together. Naturally, as with anything creative, personal taste is a factor in judging and we did expect the judges favourites to differ slightly. But with the case of Linnk’s entry, each judge (independently) awarded him the highest score. Linnk’s work was carefully presented and explained and he took the time to design his own furniture creations to give his work a unique touch, displaying a remarkable attention to detail. He worked with daring material choices and combinations which set his work apart from the other students. We were very impressed.”
Nikki Hunt of Design Intervention says, “Linnk’s submission stood out, not just to both Andrea (Savage, also of Design Intervention) and I, but to all the other judges too. The submissions all were marked independently by five judges and then the total scores were added together. Naturally, as with anything creative, personal taste is a factor in judging and we did expect the judges favourites to differ slightly. But with the case of Linnk’s entry, each judge (independently) awarded him the highest score. Linnk’s work was carefully presented and explained and he took the time to design his own furniture creations to give his work a unique touch, displaying a remarkable attention to detail. He worked with daring material choices and combinations which set his work apart from the other students. We were very impressed.”
Linnk shares about himself and his winning design:
Why do you want to become a designer?
Since I was young, I have been passionate about all types of art. A good piece of art can have a psychological effect and can change people’s feelings and moods. So I imagined that one day, if I became an interior designer, I could create large works of art that would attract people to live in a comfortable zone.
My passion as an interior designer is to give the best of my efforts to every single design. I feel a great sense of satisfaction if I can serve people with my design knowledge, and transform a place into something that is tailored just for the client.
Why do you want to become a designer?
Since I was young, I have been passionate about all types of art. A good piece of art can have a psychological effect and can change people’s feelings and moods. So I imagined that one day, if I became an interior designer, I could create large works of art that would attract people to live in a comfortable zone.
My passion as an interior designer is to give the best of my efforts to every single design. I feel a great sense of satisfaction if I can serve people with my design knowledge, and transform a place into something that is tailored just for the client.
What or who are your design idols/ inspirations?
One of my design idols is I. M. Pei, a Chinese-American architect. Many of his projects inspire me greatly. I love the way his projects are all highly functional and user-friendly, yet the structures are so iconic and unique and something never seen before.
As for my design inspiration, most of my projects are inspired by natural or structural elements found in our environment. I really love to transform these inspirational elements by integrating them into my design projects, creating different concepts that are revolutionary and provide a kind of sensorial experience.
One of my design idols is I. M. Pei, a Chinese-American architect. Many of his projects inspire me greatly. I love the way his projects are all highly functional and user-friendly, yet the structures are so iconic and unique and something never seen before.
As for my design inspiration, most of my projects are inspired by natural or structural elements found in our environment. I really love to transform these inspirational elements by integrating them into my design projects, creating different concepts that are revolutionary and provide a kind of sensorial experience.
What is the design concept for your YDA entry?
The YDA entry was for a Tomlinson Heights Condominium unit, which is located in Orchard, Singapore. We were provided with the floor plan for the unit as well as some information about the family residing in the unit. The actual design for the unit, however, was completely open to interpretation.
The word “Royal” formed my main concept for this high-end condominium unit. The fashion designer Gianni Versace said, “In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do.”
People these days work very hard and they are always stressed due to different situations. But when the time comes to rest at home and be with the family, they desire a calm and cosy place which will allow them to come together and have fun. Therefore, my concept is to create a royal space in which the clients can rest well, enjoy a luxurious life, as if they are living in an independent palace.
The YDA entry was for a Tomlinson Heights Condominium unit, which is located in Orchard, Singapore. We were provided with the floor plan for the unit as well as some information about the family residing in the unit. The actual design for the unit, however, was completely open to interpretation.
The word “Royal” formed my main concept for this high-end condominium unit. The fashion designer Gianni Versace said, “In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do.”
People these days work very hard and they are always stressed due to different situations. But when the time comes to rest at home and be with the family, they desire a calm and cosy place which will allow them to come together and have fun. Therefore, my concept is to create a royal space in which the clients can rest well, enjoy a luxurious life, as if they are living in an independent palace.
Why do you think your design won?
I think I won this [project] because the concept worked well as a functional space and as the design solution. The space that I designed is luxurious, yet also has a cosy ambience that everybody looks for. Most importantly, the design will speak to the clients as a place where they can relax and be themselves, while enjoying the finer things in life.
I think I won this [project] because the concept worked well as a functional space and as the design solution. The space that I designed is luxurious, yet also has a cosy ambience that everybody looks for. Most importantly, the design will speak to the clients as a place where they can relax and be themselves, while enjoying the finer things in life.
What are your future plans for your design career?
I have big dreams and plans for my future in interior design. I am graduating with my Bachelor’s in Interior Design in six months’ time. I would like to gain work experience in Singapore, to collaborate with and learn from design professionals to develop myself as a full-fledged member of the interior design industry. In the future, I wish to be able to share my knowledge and contribute towards bettering the lifestyle of society.
I have big dreams and plans for my future in interior design. I am graduating with my Bachelor’s in Interior Design in six months’ time. I would like to gain work experience in Singapore, to collaborate with and learn from design professionals to develop myself as a full-fledged member of the interior design industry. In the future, I wish to be able to share my knowledge and contribute towards bettering the lifestyle of society.
Linnk (third from left) won the second edition of Young Designer Award, which was judged by Kissa Castañeda, strategic content director of Singapore Tatler Homes (far left); Design Intervention’s Andrea Savage; Vinson Chua, senior assistant director and unit head for Sector Development at the DesignSingapore Council; Nikki Hunt; and Odile Benjamin (not pictured), creative director of Raoul, Singapore’s premier international fashion house.
Jason Chuck, managing director of Houzz Asia Pacific (far right), presented Linnk an iPad Pro from Houzz for his win.
Read about the Young Designer Award ceremonies
See Linnk’s Houzz profile
Jason Chuck, managing director of Houzz Asia Pacific (far right), presented Linnk an iPad Pro from Houzz for his win.
Read about the Young Designer Award ceremonies
See Linnk’s Houzz profile
She says, “Linnk has been working very hard in his interior design education at Raffles College of Higher Education. He started his studies in our Interior Design department, like most of the students, with very little knowledge of interior design. However, he has always been very humble and hardworking, taking constructive criticism and diligently working towards improving his concepts and designs. His growth as a design student is evident to us, and we are very proud of him when he was announced as winner of the YDA 2016 and at the same time had three other projects selected for the finals of SPADE (Spatial Design) competition [of the Interior Design Confederation Singapore].”
“It didn’t come as a surprise to me that he won because his design was not only aesthetically outstanding but was also a functional design solution to the brief. I also believe that his motivation and determination to improve his 3D modelling skills turned out to be one of his winning strengths. The beautiful visual presentation definitely caught the judges’ eyes!” Lopes says.