Interview with Asım Yüksel

It's always been fascinating to me that something you have created completely from your imagination comes to life and is used by someone. It is really exciting to touch someone's life.
For architecture; designing a place for someone to live, to call home, or designing a social space where someone can go and have a coffee and chat, spend a pleasant time, collect memories. For jewelry design, it's designing a special piece that they will wear, perhaps as a gift to someone they love very much. Every aspect of design is very exciting for me.

It was definitely my choice. The urge to design is an excitement and enthusiasm that I cannot stop. I find myself sketching something on a napkin even when I sit and chat with friends.

I love designing mostly residential projects and community areas such as cafes and restaurants. Honestly, I get excited by projects that involve something sophisticated. Working on layout plans from scratch and combining functionality and comfort with design by considering the needs of the project is one of my favorite challenges.

I think the most important element is to examine, to explore different projects and to follow them constantly. Observing people and general needs is of course crucial. The more one travels and the more one sees, the more one's horizon opens up.

Of course, the details.

I think good design is in the details. I love smart ideas that serve a purpose, things that are cleverly thought out and things that will make other designers jealous and inspire them to say, "how could I not have thought of that?" when they see them.

I believe that good design makes life easier, better and more pleasant. It nourishes our souls visually and serves humanity and nature.

I would love to design a jewelry store for myself.

I would love to be designing a jewelry store. I am also very excited about different and well thought of hotel projects.

Empathy. Showing empathy towards the customer, whatever the project is.

I admire Zaha Hadid's impressive use of forms and I am also impressed by the timelessness of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. It is really fascinating that a design created does not get old even after years.

If I wasn't an interior designer or a jewelry designer, I would probably be in a different branch of design. I can't imagine a life where I don't create and produce something.

My biggest supporter has always been my family. They have always encouraged me.

I think presentation is as significant as design. The presentation should be simple, straightforward, and clear. It should be free of all redundancies. I think the design should explain itself at a glance and evoke similar emotions in everyone.

We are currently working on a restaurant project. I can say that it is a very special, enjoyable and yet colorful project.

Of course, it depends on the project. While the design and creation process usually takes weeks, the implementation and completion of the architectural project usually takes 3 - 4 months.

I start by doing research. I usually study the best and successful examples in that field in depth. Of course, not only in that field, I try to get inspiration and nourish myself from everywhere.
First, I try to fill my brain as much as possible and then I try to free my brain as much as possible before I start the creation process. I think it is important to have an empty mind in order to do original and creative work. I start with a subconscious mind that I fill myself with as much information as possible in the background, and I start the creation process with a clear mind, taking into account the needs of the project.

I'm a designer who likes to combine the traditional technique with technology. I still love scribbling, sketching, drawing projects, plans and sections by hand. It's something I can't give up. I think using pen and paper is very different. Your brain should flow to the paper. After a certain creative process, it is also very valuable to make full use of technology. You can imagine exactly what your creation will look like when it's finished, but technology allows you to show it to your client. And of course, technology is also very helpful in terms of production.

Besides pen and paper, of course I use Autodesk Autocad and Autodesk 3dmax.

I think I can answer this question as my girlfriend. Although she is not from the field, she always inspires me in my projects and supports me with her different point of view.

By trial and error, I guess. When I started the design process, I tried as many alternatives as possible and threw most of them away. I think the more you think and focus on something, the more things you try, the closer you get to "good design". As experience increases, the skills evolve.

I would love to meet and talk to Frank Gehry.

white, my home, pizza, summer, sketchbook, B&B Italia

Rising of the sun every morning is highly motivating for me. I care about living life happily and to the fullest and enjoying every moment. Traveling and visiting new places and meeting new people motivates and energizes me a lot.

I am a designer who started working while studying Interior Architecture. I started working actively during my studies and it contributed me a lot. After working with different companies in different projects for about 4 years, I decided to set up my own company. And I founded Jul Happy Project in Ankara in 2022. We are currently carrying out project-based work with my valuable teammates who support me in visualization, application and technical fields.

I consider design as a means of solving a problem within the need. As a designer, I love to design everything based on need. I see this as a challenge, and I adopt it as a principle to specialize in every field in my profession day by day.

Honestly, I love each of my designs. Each of them contains the best of my best as Asım Yüksel at the moment I created that design. When you are aware of that, I think every design becomes your favorite design. After time passes over a design, of course, you find things to improve and change about that design. And this already shows that you are improving yourself.

For a residential project, my first task as a designer was to design a space that functions as a working and resting area, where all furniture details are designed technically and in 3D.

One of my favorite parts of my profession is the introduction of new materials and technologies every day. Accordingly, I love following trends closely and combining different materials.

I usually feel myself the most creative when I am alone and in a calm and peaceful place. I find design in every moment of my life, and nature always supports me in this, because I love to be inspired by nature.

I make sure that the design is timeless and that it will last a long time once it is implemented. In addition, ergonomics and functionality are essential for me.

The most intense emotion I feel is excitement. I think both the creation and production process is very exciting. It is really satisfying to put on paper what you have created in your mind and then to see it come to life in production. Of course, emotions such as peace, happiness and excitement are sometimes accompanied by stress. I think this is an emotion that supports the design and creation process.

I feel proud.

Of course, the details.
I think good design is in the details. I love smart ideas that serve a purpose, things that are cleverly thought out and things that will make other designers jealous and inspire them to say, "how could I not have thought of that?" when they see them.

I think it takes a while for a designer to realize his/her own style, to find the space where he/she feels comfortable and to create works in that field. And unfortunately, for most designers, this is sometimes very difficult or even impossible due to concerns about life.
To be honest, until I found my design style, I took part in many projects in different styles, all of which contributed a lot to me, improved myself and were quite nice. However, over time, I realized that the projects I enjoy are simpler, where I can revive simplicity with colors, where I can use spacious, amorphous lines and straight lines in harmony, and where functionality is at the forefront.

I have lived in different cities in Turkey and traveled to as many cities as possible. I currently live in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Turkey is a country with a rich cultural heritage. There is a historical texture and story everywhere. I believe that living here keeps me alive.

I start by doing research. I usually study the best and successful examples in that field in depth. Of course, not only in that field, I try to get inspiration and nourish myself from everywhere.
First, I try to fill my brain as much as possible and then I try to free my brain as much as possible before I start the creation process. I think it is important to have an empty mind in order to do original and creative work. I start with a subconscious mind that I fill myself with as much information as possible in the background, and I start the creation process with a clear mind, taking into account the needs of the project.

Empathy. Showing empathy towards the customer, whatever the project is.

I'm a designer who likes to combine the traditional technique with technology. I still love scribbling, sketching, drawing projects, plans and sections by hand. It's something I can't give up. I think using pen and paper is very different. Your brain should flow to the paper. After a certain creative process, it is also very valuable to make full use of technology. You can imagine exactly what your creation will look like when it's finished, but technology allows you to show it to your client. And of course, technology is also very helpful in terms of production.
Besides pen and paper, of course I use Autodesk Autocad and Autodesk 3dmax.

It depends on the project. While the design and creation process usually take weeks, the implementation and completion of the architectural project usually takes 3 - 4 months.

I am often asked about how I get my inspiration manage the process.

I love designing mostly residential projects and community areas such as cafes and restaurants. Honestly, I get excited by projects that involve a lot of detail and sophistication. Working on layout plans from scratch and combining functionality and comfort with design by considering the needs of the project is one of my favorite parts.

We are excited to expand Jul Happy Project and move forward by creating our own brands. We aim to move forward with different and more global works in the coming years.

Although I usually prefer to be alone during the first creation process, I think the design process is a teamwork. The team supports each other and the work that develops with the collective consciousness of team members from different disciplines and different perspectives always turns into better work.

We are currently working on a restaurant project. I can say that it is a very special, enjoyable and yet colorful project.

People can contact me through LinkedIn or Instagram.