About

Led by Senior Principal Designer David K. Yates, the studio conceives and directs visual narratives and strategic branding initiatives for culturally renowned projects across the travel, wellness, lifestyle, and leisure industries. The approach is strategic and design-led, shaped by empathy, curiosity, and careful observation.

Informed by project experience throughout the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, South and Central America, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim, the studio brings senior-level acumen to placemaking. The work crafts narrative-driven identity and experience as one integrated, artful expression.

After serving in the United States Coast Guard, Yates went on to study at École Parsons à Paris and ArtCenter College of Design. He has partnered with premium global brands including Adidas, Intel, and Perry Ellis International, and helped define work for Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, Aman Resorts, Vail Resorts, and The Related Companies. His work has been recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (The Webbys), the American Advertising Federation (AAF), and The Nationals (NAHB).

Drawing on 20+ years of work across luxury markets, fine jewelry, premium F&B, hospitality, and high-end real estate, the studio brings deep fluency in UHNW audiences—where taste, restraint, and impeccable execution matter. Lean by design, the team scales as needed through a trusted roster of long-standing, A-list strategic and creative collaborators.

The studio accepts select engagements on a project-by-project basis.

Capabilities

  • Market framing, audience definition, competitive POV, messaging architecture.

  • Concept-to-craft leadership across identity, imagery, motion, and experience.

  • Marks and lockups, typography, color, iconography, and art direction.

  • UX direction, journeys, content systems, and product/service touchpoints.

  • Wayfinding strategy, signage concepts, and on-site storytelling.

  • Photography/film direction, editorial, social toolkits, and rollouts

  • Packaging systems, labels, and product storytelling.

  • Standards, toolkits, templates, and stewardship for scale.

  • Vision decks, investment stories, sales narratives, and presentation systems

  • Senior guidance that strengthens craft, alignment, and momentum across teams.

Profile

Selected Clients + Projects
Full project list available on request.

Hospitality

AMAN
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Residences
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The Ritz-Carlton
Rosewood
St. Regis
Mandarin Oriental
Montage Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott
Andaz
Red Sea Global

Enterprise

Adidas Originals
Jantzen
BlackRock
JLL
The Irvine Company
Related
Urban Land Institute
Samsung
Westfield Group
Dole Food Company
Castle & Cooke
Discovery Land Company

Contact