Why Omar Almoteq Asks “Why?” Before Anything Else

The motivation was clear: we want to put Saudi projects on the global design map. Winning the TITAN Brand Awards is not only recognition for our team but also proof that bold ideas coming from our region have a place in international arenas.

Midnight didn’t start with chicken; it started with “late-night hunger.” We wanted to create a restaurant that mirrors an emotional experience, where eating becomes an emotional act.

As for Blanco, it was an exercise in purity and simplicity, where we drew the identity from the name of the project itself; every element had to be pure, direct, and without visual noise. Both projects reflect our understanding that design is not just form, but feeling and experience.

In Midnight, the story was the hero; we combined elements from abandoned train stations with the atmosphere of the night to create a sense of solitude and comfort simultaneously.

In Blanco, the boldness was in the simplicity, in deciding not to overdo it, and allowing the product to “breathe.” Both projects were born from a strong strategy and a design that speaks to the senses.

The biggest challenge was convincing the client that the design shouldn’t resemble the “familiar.” It took deep sessions of persuasion and visual presentation, but when the client saw the full impact of the identity, they realized that distinction doesn’t come from repetition.

Winning such awards opens many doors. We noticed increased interest from brands looking for unconventional solutions, and Ostudio began to be recognized as an agency that challenges the rules, not follows them. This gives us even greater responsibility to continue innovating.

Clients felt proud, especially since the identities didn’t just garner local admiration but also resonated globally. One of the most memorable moments was when a client said, “You didn’t design a logo; you designed a story that’s being told”.

Don’t design for the sake of winning, design to make an impact. Understand the project, ask “why?” more than “how?”, and build a strategy before opening any design software. The awards will come, but the real value lies in changing the way the audience thinks.

We’re living in an era where AI and digital experiences are reshaping the industry. We believe the future will belong to those who integrate technology and human stories, and that’s the space we aspire to occupy.

Start. Don’t wait for perfection. The act of applying itself is an important exercise that will help you assess your work from a global perspective. Every submission is a step toward maturity and confidence.

We are not competing with each other; we are building together. Every successful designer opens a path for others. Let’s continue supporting each other and show the world that our region is full of creatives capable of making a real difference.

I dedicate this win to my team at OSTUDIO, the designers, strategists, and everyone who believed that design has a greater role than just “looking good.” And to the clients who allowed us to venture.

Midnight: “A restaurant that doesn’t just serve food, but offers an unforgettable experience”

Blanco: “The identity that learned to say a lot… in silence”.

We are currently working on projects that push the boundaries of sensory and experimental design, including two brands in the coffee and retail sectors that will be presented in an unprecedented way in the Saudi market, as well as several real estate projects where we’ve won for the best engineering company in Saudi Arabia, which will showcase its identity and strateagy soon.