Yasemin Arpac, Founding Partner (interior architect), graduated from Tarsus American College in 1994 and from Bilkent University, the department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design in 1998.

In 2004, she established Ofist in Tunel, Beyoglu, alongside Sabahattin Emir. Her educational journey continued with studies in Design Culture and Management at Bilgi University. Apart from her teaching commitments at MEF University, Yasemin has contributed significantly to the design industry through her innovative projects at Ofist, which have garnered acclaim both locally and internationally.

Her work is characterised by a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetics, and cultural sensitivity. Yasemin's leadership at Ofist reflects her commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary interior design, while her role as an educator underscores her dedication to nurturing the next generation of design professionals at AYDA with a holistic understanding of the field.

Santi Alaysius is an award-winning Interior Designer with over 20 years of experience, renowned for her work on prestigious projects like the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Chicago, Marriott Yogyakarta, and Indonesia's first design boutique hotel, Kosenda Hotel. Her designs have been featured in Wallpaper UK Magazine, Hospitality Design Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Elle Décor, and Home & Décor.

In the U.S., Santi has contributed to notable projects such as the USA Pavilion for World Expo 2005 in Japan and Jennifer Lopez's residence in Long Island. She is known for creating exceptional spaces using locally sourced materials, with a commitment to perfection in every detail. Her expertise spans diverse commercial projects, seamlessly blending art, fashion, and industrial elements to bring clients' visions to life.

Santi co-founded Domisilium Studio in 2009 with Hamphrey Tedja. The duo was recognized as Elle Décor Indonesia Magazine's A-list Interior Designers in 2013 and Gen-T by Tatler in 2019. They have achieved international acclaim, collaborating with brands like Nike, Marriott International, and Accor. Since 2013, Santi has also been teaching interior design at LaSalle College Jakarta.

In May 2018, Santi and her partner co-founded DMDIO, specializing in product and exhibition design, supporting both local and international brands. Santi holds degrees from The Art Institute of Seattle and The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, graduating with honors in Fashion Marketing & Management (2002) and Interior Architecture (2005). She began her career at Thom Filicia, Inc. in New York and Simeone Deary Design Group in Chicago, focusing on high-end residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.

Ou is a celebrated interior designer known for his creative prowess, earning him the title of Designer of the Year in 2019 across diverse design domains, from hospitality to high-end residential and co-creation workplaces. His design philosophy centres on "Non-Building Solutions," a groundbreaking approach that reimagines spaces sustainably, enhancing the value of existing structures and materials. Ou's concept development skills shine through in his captivating designs.

He climbed the ranks to become a Design Director and then a Partner at PIA Interior, showcasing his dedication and talent. His team has delivered striking projects across Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, and beyond. His work received international recognition, including a shortlist at the 2016 World Architecture Festival of Interiors for Airspace Huahin and winning the 2019 Restaurant and Bar Design award in London for Akira Back at the Marriott Marquis Bangkok. Ou continues to redefine interior design with his innovative and acclaimed creations.

IDr Lai Siew Hong is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Designer of award-winning interior design firm Blu Water. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur since 2010, the design studio focuses on hospitality archetypes and the design of hotels, resorts and F&B establishments around the region.

As the creative backbone of Blu Water, Lai believes in creating innovative spaces and solutions while crafting a meaningful narrative in each design brief. His creative process has kept the interests of a wide variety of clients over the last 30 years.

Today, he continues to be the mastermind behind some of the most stunning luxury hotels and resorts in the world; most recently recognised as Tatler Asia’s Most Influential MY 2021. Lai is also the immediate Past President of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) 2022-2024.

His passion for nurturing young emerging talents have led him to mentor graduate students at China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China, and he is now serving as the Master Coach for Interior Architecture and Design Programme at The One Academy. Internationally, he has been a valuable AYDA Judge since 2016.

Traversing diverse cultural backgrounds, Jennifer began her career in design-focused architectural firms in Australia. Recognising her passion for interiors, she established an interiors department within an architecture firm.

Her journey led her to London, where she contributed to the development of five-star hotels and private residences in Turkey, as well as heritage-listed properties in London’s Kings Cross. Jennifer's fascination with travel and exposure to varied cultures eventually led her to Singapore, where she worked for The Mill and specialised in the high-end luxury and hospitality market.

With over 16 years of experience in the industry, Jennifer's cultural diversity fuels her passion for creating bespoke solutions. Her work is characterised by visual poetry, reflecting a refreshingly cosmopolitan edge in beautifully-crafted expressions of splendour and sophistication. Her unique blend of cultural insights and professional experience makes her a valuable resource for our AYDA students from all around the world.

Sami Savatli (3 June 1983) is an Istanbul based designer, graduated from the Middle East Technical University Industrial Design Department. In 2010, he founded his own design office Sami Savatli Design Studio in Istanbul, after working in well-known design offices for three years in the fields of interior architecture and product design. In 2012, he was awarded by EDIDA International Design Awards as the Best Young Designer of the year.

Since the establishment of his design studio, Savatli has designed many well-known places from Istanbul's food and beverage scene. In addition to the restaurant projects where he stands out with his designer identity and gained recognition, now he designs across high-end residential, commercial, retail and hospitality spaces in many cities of the world such as Istanbul, Ankara, Bodrum, Kuwait, Jeddah, Bahrain, Tehran, Paris and Florence.

Savatli combines the modern and classic styles of the East and West through the bold colors & rich textures offers an architectural perspective. His unique approach by blending styles and manipulating forms, reveals multi-layered & timeless spaces. He creates a modern and eclectic look using luxurious finishes and materials with bespoke detailing and artisan craftsmanship, combining the best of classical and contemporary elements.

In addition to interior design projects, Sami Savatli Design Studio started to design and produce its own products as of 2018. Savatli, who always offers approaches that emphasize the importance of craft with traditional methods in its product collection, transforms materials such as glass, wood and metal into unique designs with his own coloring and patina methods.

Savatli continues to work in his Istanbul-based office, showroom and workshop with a young and dynamic team consisting of interior architects, product designers, textile designers and artists.

Architect by training and multidisciplinary designer by profession, Prof. Keat Ong is a celebrated, awards-winning designer. He is the founder of Nota Design Group and Keat Ong Design as well as 3 terms president of Society of Interior Designers, Singapore (SIDS). Keat chairs the Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Council which overseas the competency of interior design practitioners in Singapore. He was also elected to preside over the the 12 nations Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) for the term 2021-2023. He has been named one of Asia’s Top Designers in Singapore Design Awards 2014 and as Designers of the year 2016/2017 from the famed INTERIOR DESIGN Magazine. He was also honored with the title of “The Most Influential Designer” by China’s national body for Interior design, China Building Decoration Association in the 2017. He is also Visiting Professors to numerous universities in Asia and judges to many prestigious awards internationally.