Interview with Deniz Özdemir

My relationship with design and art started during childhood through my interest in drawing and creating forms. Over time, I became interested not only in aesthetics, but also in how objects are produced, how they interact with users, and how they represent brands. Through industrial product design education, I transformed this interest into a professional field. My decision to become a designer came entirely from an internal motivation and a desire to create.

My priorities during the design process are aesthetic value, a strong form language, and creating a distinctive identity. At the same time, I consider manufacturability and functionality as essential parts of the process. I usually work with digital modeling tools while combining sketching and form exploration. I would describe my style as modern, refined, timeless, and production-oriented.

When designing, I mostly feel curiosity, excitement, and focus. Watching an idea gradually evolve, seeing details become clearer, and observing the design develop its own identity is the most enjoyable part of the process for me. Thinking about how the design will eventually meet users is also highly motivating.

Being involved with art from an early age strongly shaped my perspective on design. At the same time, working in a production-oriented industry taught me how to balance technical reality with aesthetic thinking. Observing people, experiencing different cultures, and traveling have also been important influences on my design approach.

In the future, I want to further strengthen my own design language, collaborate with more international brands, and work across different product categories. Developing furniture, product, and lifestyle-oriented collections is among my goals. My dream is to build a globally recognized design brand known for timeless and character-driven designs.

My biggest advice for young designers would be to develop their own perspective instead of only following trends. Continuous research, understanding production processes, and learning from different disciplines are extremely important. At the same time, patience is essential, because design is a process that evolves over time.

I believe one of the most important responsibilities of designers is to develop their own identity. Inspiration is important, but creating a personal perspective instead of repeating others is far more valuable. I also think it is essential to understand production reality and not see design only as a visual object.

My day usually revolves around research, sketching, digital modeling, and project development. Following trends, exploring new places, and observing different cultures are also important parts of my daily routine. Traveling and observing people are among the things that inspire my creativity the most.

I regularly follow design trends, especially through design fairs, exhibitions, design weeks, and international publications. I think trends are valuable for understanding the contemporary world, but I do not believe design should be driven only by trends. For me, the important thing is creating timeless designs with a strong identity.

For me, good design is about finding the right balance between aesthetics, function, manufacturability, and emotion. A product should not only look beautiful, but also create a connection with the user, have a strong identity, and leave a lasting impact.

It is difficult to believe that a design is ever completely perfect, because there is always a detail that can be improved. However, I feel a design is ready when it reaches a balanced point in terms of aesthetics, function, and production, and when it becomes free from unnecessary details.

One of my most important projects is the Arc One Lounge Chair. This project best represents my idea of creating a strong identity through a simplified production approach. Creating both a structural and aesthetic language through a single bent metal surface was one of the key aspects of the project.

It is difficult for me to choose a single name because I draw inspiration from many designers and artists across different disciplines. However, Antoni Gaudí’s nature-inspired approach, attention to detail, and powerful form language have always impressed me deeply. In addition, Jasper Morrison’s perspective on everyday objects and Pierre Paulin’s form language are also among my inspirations.

I live in Istanbul, and I believe the city’s cultural diversity strongly influences my perspective on design. Traveling, exploring new cities, observing different cultures, and staying connected with art are important parts of my lifestyle. I believe design is a powerful tool that can improve people’s quality of life.

Communication, honesty, and attention to detail play a very important role in my work approach. I see design not only as an aesthetic process, but as an integrated system that combines brand identity, production, and user experience. I also believe that simple yet strong ideas are always more lasting.

I believe design carries not only commercial value, but also cultural and social value. I care about following events that support young designers, sharing my experiences within the design world, and creating projects that can inspire others. I believe design is a powerful tool that can improve people’s quality of life.

Participating in the A’ Design Award has been a very valuable experience in terms of presenting my work on an international platform. Being featured alongside designers from different countries gave me the opportunity to evaluate my work from a global perspective. The experience also contributed significantly to visibility, professional connections, and the development of my design approach.

I am an Istanbul-based industrial designer. I approach product and furniture design in close relation to brand identity and production reality. My design approach is based on considering material behavior, manufacturing methods, form language, and user experience as an integrated system.

For me, design is the process of finding the right balance between idea, function, material, and emotion. I also see design as a form of expression that has a strong connection with art. Good design is not only about creating a visually appealing object, but also about bringing meaning, character, and experience into the user’s life.

I mostly enjoy working on product, furniture, and packaging design. These fields allow me to create a strong connection between form, material, production, and brand language. Developing character-driven, timeless, and manufacturable designs is especially valuable to me.

One of my favorite designs is the Arc One Lounge Chair. This project represents my idea of creating a strong identity through minimal material usage and simplified manufacturing. Its single bent metal surface creates a clear and powerful design language both structurally and aesthetically.

The first professional projects I worked on were in the field of glass packaging and product design. This process gave me the opportunity to experience the balance between industrial production, technical limitations, brand expectations, and design decisions at an early stage.

I enjoy working with materials that have strong character, such as glass, metal, wood, and leather. The transparency and precision of glass, the structural strength of metal, the natural warmth of wood, and the tactile character of leather are all highly inspiring to me. In terms of technology, digital modeling and production-oriented 3D design tools are important parts of my process.

I feel most creative when I start reinterpreting the potential of a material, the limits of a production method, or the character of a brand. My ideas often develop when I try to transform a technical limitation into an aesthetic advantage.

During the design process, my priority is the aesthetic value and artistic character of the design. At the same time, I focus on creating a balanced relationship between form, function, manufacturability, material use, and overall identity. I believe a design should not only be visually strong, but also logical in terms of production, long-lasting, and capable of creating a connection with the user.

When I design, I feel curiosity, excitement, and focus. Seeing an idea gradually turn into form, watching the details become clearer, and observing the project find its own identity is a very satisfying process. One of the most motivating aspects for me is seeing people use and genuinely appreciate the products I design.

Seeing a design transform from a digital idea into a physical product is very exciting for me. Watching a design come out of production and meet users in real life creates a strong sense of satisfaction. Seeing people use, experience, and appreciate my designs is one of the most rewarding parts of the process.

I believe a successful design is one that creates the right balance between aesthetics, function, manufacturability, and user experience. It is also important for a design to create an emotional connection with people, have a strong character, and leave a long-lasting impact.

First, I look at the overall presence, proportions, and character of the design. Then I focus on the form language, quality of details, material usage, and how consistent the design feels within itself. Aesthetic value and originality are always among my main criteria.

I believe a designer should be responsible not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in relation to production and consumption. Developing longer-lasting, more sustainable, and conscious production approaches is very important. I also think designers should create timeless and meaningful products that contribute positively to people’s daily lives.

I believe the design field is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. While technology, artificial intelligence, and digital production tools are accelerating the process, the value of original and character-driven designs that people can emotionally connect with is growing even more. In the future, I believe sustainability, personalization, and identity-driven design approaches will become increasingly important.

I mostly prefer to present my work through international design platforms, competitions, and digital publications. In the future, I would like to create more physical and immersive exhibitions where I can present design, material, and production processes in a more experiential way.

I often draw inspiration from the natural character of materials, architecture, the art world, and everyday life. Being involved with art since childhood has strongly shaped my perspective on design. I have also been closely following design fairs, exhibitions, and design weeks for many years, and I try to attend them whenever possible. Observing how people interact with objects, their daily habits, and lifestyles is also one of the most important sources that feed my creativity. Following current trends and exploring different disciplines are also essential parts of my process.

I would describe my design style as modern, refined, character-driven, and production-oriented. I enjoy creating a minimal yet powerful form language. Although aesthetic value and artistic expression are very important in my approach, I always try to balance them with manufacturability and function. Creating timeless and long-lasting designs is one of my main priorities.

I live in Istanbul. Turkey’s strong cultural diversity, craft heritage, and coexistence of different aesthetic perspectives definitely influence my design approach. The balance between traditional details and contemporary thinking is especially inspiring to me. On the other hand, economic and production-related fluctuations can sometimes be challenging, but they also encourage a more creative and solution-oriented mindset.

When working with companies, I first focus on understanding the brand identity, target audience, and production reality. I approach the design process not only as an aesthetic exercise, but as an integrated system connected to brand strategy, user experience, and manufacturing processes. Close communication and collaborative idea development are very important to me throughout the process.

I believe companies should see design not only as a visual contribution, but also as a strategic investment that can create long-term value for the brand. When selecting a designer, it is important to look not only at the portfolio, but also at the designer’s mindset, problem-solving approach, and ability to connect with the brand.

My design process usually starts with research and concept development. I then develop ideas through sketches, digital modeling, and form studies. Throughout the process, material behavior, manufacturing methods, and user experience are continuously evaluated. In the final stage, the details are refined and simplified to achieve the strongest version of the design.

A wooden chair, an analog clock, a character-driven table lamp, glass objects, and a well-designed coffee tool are among my favorite design items at home. What connects all of them is the balanced relationship they create between function and aesthetics.

My day usually revolves around research, sketching, digital modeling, and project development. Following trends, drawing inspiration from different disciplines, and exploring new places are also important parts of my routine. Traveling, observing different cultures, and spending time in cities are among the things that inspire and feed my creativity the most.

My biggest advice for young designers would be to develop their own perspective instead of only following trends. Continuous research, understanding production processes, and learning from different disciplines are extremely important. At the same time, patience is essential, because design is a process that evolves over time.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a designer is the ability to transform ideas into physical and real experiences. Creating objects that become part of people’s daily lives is highly satisfying. The challenging side is that design is a constantly evolving and fast-paced field. It requires continuous research, self-improvement, and adaptation to a changing world.

For me, the most important rule in design is creating a balance that is simple yet full of character. I believe a design should carry a strong identity while avoiding unnecessary details.

The ability to observe, solve problems, and maintain a strong aesthetic perspective is extremely important. Understanding production processes, communicating effectively, and learning from different disciplines are also essential skills that help a designer grow.

I mainly use Rhino 3D, rendering tools, and Adobe software during my design process. Sketching is still an important part of my workflow as well. Design books, architectural publications, the art world, fairs, exhibitions, and traveling are also among my main sources of inspiration.

I prefer dividing the process into different stages. Separating research, concept development, modeling, and detail refinement helps me move forward in a more controlled way. At the same time, I accept that design needs time, and I try to allow ideas to mature naturally during the process. Of course, like every designer, I sometimes experience those classic “last-night rushes” before deadlines as well.

It completely depends on the scale and level of detail of the project. Some ideas can emerge very quickly, but refining them properly can take much longer. In general, including research, development, and detailing, the process can vary from a few weeks to several months.

People usually ask how an idea emerges and where the inspiration comes from. Many are surprised to realize that the design process is not only about aesthetics.

Developing designs for international brands and projects has been one of the most valuable experiences for me. Working especially in the glass packaging industry taught me how to balance production reality, technical details, and brand expectations.

I work with brands from different sectors on product, packaging, and furniture design projects. I am especially involved in beverage, lifestyle, and hospitality-focused projects.

I enjoy product and furniture design the most because these fields require both aesthetic and technical thinking at the same time. What motivates me is creating objects that are not only visually appealing, but also manufacturable and capable of building a connection with the user.

In the future, I would like to be involved in more international collaborations, develop designs in different product categories, and further strengthen my own design language. I also aim to create larger-scale furniture and product collections.

I mostly develop my projects individually. However, I believe collaborating with different disciplines during production, branding, and technical processes strengthens the final design.

At the moment, I am working on different projects in product, furniture, and packaging design. I continue to develop new concepts that focus especially on material character and creating strong identities.

People can contact me through Instagram and LinkedIn.

For me, design is not only about creating objects, but also about bringing character, experience, and value into people’s lives. In the future, I want to continue developing timeless designs that create a strong balance between aesthetics, art, and production.