GUNGOR GUNER
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Gungor Guner ("GG") 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?
GG : 1958-62 she studied ceramics in the State Collage of Applied Arts. Upon graduation she went to Germany with the Ministry of Education Scholarship to study Ceramics and ceramics engineering.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
GG : I'm a ceramist who left behind fifty years. The formation of ceramics already includes the design phenomenon too.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
GG : As I was a ceramist, I was automatically within the design phenomenon.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
GG : Mostly Tableware and two and three dimensional another objects too.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
GG : They should training in different craft and production centers like glass, wood, ceramic…
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
GG : To be a good designer can everybody; to be a great designer one must have art and sciences skill too.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
GG : A good design must to have a function, aesthetic and quality.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
GG : A good design sells better.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
GG : I don’t know
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
GG : I was taking part last year whit a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used material was plastic (I dislike plastic) This year I aimed these to do by glass ( it is very difficult)
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
GG : Aesthetic and function of course possibility for production.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
GG : Kay Frank from Finland
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
GG : First fall I love glass! Kay Frank did glass
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
GG : My Turkish coffee cup design which has been awarded by A’Design Gold Award is at the same time very functional and it has got a good expression which I am satisfied about it: The cloud relief is expressing the Ottoman’s culture and the geometric handle form is expressing the Seljuk’s culture. The cylinder form symbolizes the Republic which is carrying the both culture in to today.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
GG : I am asking for myself if I made a design object:” Would you like to buy yours object to use in your home ? “Be sure I am using my own design objects in my home.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
GG : I don’t know.
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
GG : Aesthetic and function, of course possibility for production.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
GG : The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
GG : The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
GG : The obstacles always exist before and still! First you have to convince the manufacturer. At last the user must to like your design. The masses may not like what you like.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
GG : The designers are mostly not a good seller! Therefore they need a professional marketing institution like your company.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
GG : I was taking part last year with a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used material was plastic because of its transparenty (actualy I dislike plastic, that was a wrong chosen) This year I am aiming these to do again by glass (But it is very difficult)
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
GG : Aesthetic and function.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
GG : I am not able to know that.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
GG : I've witnessed that after sanitary industry could deliver rather cheap sanitary ware it was a big positive development in our country.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
GG : I was taking part last year with a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used material was plastic because of its transparency (actually I dislike plastic, that was a wrong chosen) This year I am aiming these to do again by glass (But it is very difficult) Origin of these vases were ceramic but I am aiming to see these vases in transparency form.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
GG : My Turkish coffee cup design which has been awarded by A’Design Gold Award is at the same time very functional and it has got a good expression which I am satisfied about it: The cloud relief is expressing the Ottoman’s culture and the geometric handle form is expressing the Seljuk’s culture . The cylinder form symbolizes the Republic which is carrying the both culture in to today. Besides it had got the A’Design Gold Award.
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
GG : I don’t know .
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
GG : I don’t know.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
GG : It depend up to design, but it takes with me mostly long time.
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
GG : In my own ceramics atelier.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
GG : To go on to design for myself as long as possible.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
GG : I am agree with the opinion “designs sets the trends but the trends sets the designs too”.
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
GG : The role of technology is one of the most important elements to designing .
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
GG : As I am a ceramist I am using mostly my already atelier. Of course when I need sometimes the books, computer, CNC, glass other silk screen atelier I used too.
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
GG : I think the customers should have an opportunity to choose the same design in different color. in conclusion we are designing for our customers.
DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?
GG : Of course they can ask something but I will be very happy if they like it .
DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
GG : Of course I am appreciating always the new great designs in case I really liked it.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
GG : Of course we needs often the help of some engineer or master but I do not believe Co-design.
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
GG : I can't remember any people until now.
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
GG : I can’t remember! There are so many years behind me .
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
GG : The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
GG : With student .
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
GG : Sorry but I am not famous !
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
GG : Red, Istanbul/TR., Yoghurt soup, Autumn, Hot shower, A’Design Award .
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
GG : In our childhood I and my brother we were building always a kiln if we found three stone it was enough for our kiln! He is a ceramist too.
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
GG : As I was a ceramist, I was automatically within the design phenomenon. More than 50 years! We are very close to design as a ceramicist. We are always within motivations
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
GG : In our childhood there was no word for designer yet!
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
GG : The geologists don’t talk us any good stories about the future! What can I say ?
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
GG : The geologists don’t talk us any good stories about the future! What can I say ?
