Eyyup Karayigit

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Eyyup Karayigit ("EK") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

EK : My design background started from my childhood. My interest in design, which began with toys at a young age. Spread to a wide area after I started to design everything that caught my attention by myself. I studied at The University of Georgia. Of course, it has given me a lot.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

EK : Because I think that something can always be done better is my biggest motivation

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

EK : Being a designer is not something to be forced. You must think about every detail and add your soul to your work.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

EK : There are no limits to design for me. I can create anything that the human mind can conceive. However, I mostly find myself designing interiors and boats.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

EK : The lifestyle of today's youth makes me think. When I look at it, it is unfortunate to see a generation that has become a prisoner of technology, killing their creativity in their spare time. I'm a traditionalist. My advice to every young designer who will be a designer is not to let go of their originality, to take time for themselves and trust themselves.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

EK : A good designer does whatever the other person wants. A great designer, on the other hand, turns something that others can't even imagine into reality.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

EK : The first look is essential.Research shows that the first 7 seconds determine our opinion of something as good or bad. That's why looks matter. Then originality and quality are the essential elements that make a design good.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

EK : The most important source of value of a good design is the need. But if you complete the plan that will meet the demand in a way that will make the other person happy, it will gain much more value. If investors invest in such a design, their brand value increases and they attract attention.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

EK : I would like to design for someone with a different style rather than a person's name because these people allow you to push the boundaries in your design, unlike people with a classical style.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

EK : It was very important for me to design and manufacture the Mamba 80. The design is finished, now it's time for manufacturing. But the dreams do not end with the designer.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

EK : To make designs utterly different from the works in their class as much as possible and create a sense of quality when examined.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

EK : Of course, there are designers that I like very much, but the designer should be original. To start, being influenced by design seems like an imitation.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

EK : I can give many examples, but after a long time after its completion , it's still very popular. Jorn Utzon,(Sidney Opera) , Maurice Koechlin (Eifel Tower-FRANCE), Tom Wright( Burj Al Arap-Dubai) etc. They can be example of design I like.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

EK : I have many designs, but my Mamba 80 project is unique as I enjoyed working and thought it was completely different from other boats in its class.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

EK : The secret is that your mind is constantly producing something. I never stopped designing. On the other hand, I follow the agenda closely. I observe people and their changing demands and needs. I usually pay attention to design in this direction.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

EK : The answer to this question would still be "DESIGNER" because I immensely love my job.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

EK : Design is the presentation of a known object from different perspectives. At the same time, design is the most crucial mirror that reflects the designer's spirit.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

EK : First, I don't see myself at the top because there is always something to learn. But of course, I am indebted to getting the support of my family first and then all my friends around me in developing my business.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

EK : My perseverance and depth of imagination helped.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

EK : The biggest obstacles are people who need to be more open to innovation. But after the designs were finished, these people liked it very much.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

EK : The most important thing is understanding what the other person wants and designing according to his wishes. If you do this, how you present your presentation becomes secondary.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

EK : We got excellent feedback with Mamba 80. I have a few different boat projects, although not in the same style.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

EK : To be a world-renowned designer and have my designs used by the world.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

EK : Remarkable designs differ from ordinary classical designs in which the minor details are considered, and the needs of use are met.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

EK : Design is the work done specially for people, considering their usage needs and styles. It helps people to feel valuable and gives happiness to its user. In societies where the number of happy people increases, productivity increases. A subtle touch can affect many things.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

EK : I do not categorize, but I mainly have boat projects on my agenda.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

EK : Mamba 80 for receiving an international award. Also, when the design I made for my customer is liked, I am happy.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

EK : I would like designers to create projects that are unique and repeat each other.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

EK : I told you that originality is important. People will always be more attracted to entirely different projects than they've ever seen.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

EK : What goes through the mind of the designer is important here. While a table that looks simple to an outsider takes much time, designing a car may be finished in a much shorter time.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

EK : First, I create every detail and then put it on paper. "How could it be better?" I ask myself.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

EK : My motto is "Free your inner spirit and leave your mark on life."

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

EK : Design set trends. Because it is inevitable that a plan that meets its needs, is practical, attracts attention, and becomes a trend.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

EK : Today, technology has changed the fields of art and design, as it has entered all areas of our lives. Although some traditional aspects continue in today's designs, technological hardware and software-aided design, a necessity of our age, has come to the fore, and technology-oriented advances have been made. But no matter how advanced the technology is, this business cannot be soulless.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

EK : The programs I use are; 3D-max, AutoCAD, and SOLID are the programs I use most often

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

EK : This trilogy is the most important element that makes up the design. The harmony between colour and material determines the quality of the design.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

EK : How did you think of this detail?

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

EK : I would like to wonder and learn about the journey of coming to life.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

EK : Frankly, I don't believe it. Design can contain quality in originality.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

EK : Frankly, I don't find it right to share before my design is complete. Of course , I will discus it with my friends later. My family's opinions are important to me . They always support me.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

EK : I can't say it's pretty. Designing is not something to be learned from books. But of course, the books you read help you see different experiences and avoid making the mistakes others have made.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

EK : I never hesitated to design something new, to create something different. The likes that come later help you gain confidence and express yourself comfortably.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

EK : It's hard to say a direct name. A famous person whom everyone watches with admiration and who attracts attention will help my designs reach people. That's why he is a famous person.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

EK : Frankly, I still see myself at the beginning of the road when I started this profession and now. Because if I get out of this thought, I will not be able to improve myself. A designer should always have a desire to learn new things. Being famous will always bring the desire to have high expectations from you. More work is required to answer this.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

EK : I love the black colour. Because I love the sea, I liked the Maldives very much. I want to prefer fish products as a meal. Summer is my favourite season. My tablet pc is a must for me. Lacoste because I like your style as a brand.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

EK : A long time ago, I did a design for a client. I made a presentation. He did not accept at first, and we made the design he wanted. But when he started using it, he said he wanted to have the plan I pushed again. Later, when he implemented my design, he gave me the right, and we have been working together for many years. This means the designer considers many things (usability, ergonomics, etc.) while designing.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

EK : It has become my routine to be open and constantly think about something. The best thing that motivates me is the excitement that a new idea that comes to my mind creates in me.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

EK : It was apparent. I would make completely different, new objects, toys, etc., by using any object's broken or deteriorated parts in my own way. Now I'm thinking, glad I did.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

EK : A space age is waiting for us now, where everything is automated, nothing classical is worthless, and technology replaces mastery.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

EK : I can explain myself. If something can be better, it must be better. It could be designing, and it could be manufacturing etc. While creating, I am a designer who wants to draw and produce by saying that every detail cannot be better. I am a designer who cannot present a design I do not like to his customers to earn money. First, I must like it, and then my customer will like it.