Leyla Canbaz Gundem

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Leyla Canbaz Gundem ("LCG") 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?

LCG : ı believed that to born for design ,become designer or born as designer.

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

LCG : Naturaly ,It comes from my insight.

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

LCG : First I forced to choose business than I decided to become a designer.

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

LCG : I design furniture ,design concept ,design space .

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

LCG : If they have natural talent to study design and do their design professional.

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

LCG : Great designer design unique pieces.

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

LCG : If you have sharp eyes. You can see the balance ,harmony and rhythm all together .Your design must be respect golden ratio.If you have natural talent, you can catch instintly golen ratio .

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

LCG : Unique,Timeless .

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

LCG : I would like to design shoes for the most famous people Marilyn Monroe.

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

LCG : Design a timeless chair.

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

LCG : My personalty .I am always positive person ,so I do not let any bad things block my creativity.

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

LCG : Mondrian ,I like geometric shapes.Van Der Rohe, They use horizantal and vertical lines.

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

LCG : Architects like Van Der Rohe, He use horizantal and vertical lines, rectangular forms, using modern materials like steel and plates of glass. Having a minimal structural framework. Including lots of open space.He is the one who popularized the term 'less ıs more'.which as mentioned earlier, is one of the unofficial mission statements for minimalist design. Like with De Stijl, the connection between Van Der Rohee and minimalist design is clear.

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

LCG : Traveling alot, fallow trends , visit fairs about anything.

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

LCG : I did already fashion business, distribute fashion brand and sell them..

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

LCG : Expressing your personalty. the way we express ourself by designing something.

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

LCG : My family, my dady was realy unique person ,my husband and my personalty encourage myself. I always competite my self,

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LCG : After all to graduate design school that gived me self confident.

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

LCG : Yourself,Your personalty.

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

LCG : Very clear and well organised worh with professional Pr company to find right people in their way.

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

LCG : Table and bench, to sell my design to big companies.

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

LCG : Become wellknow designer,

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

LCG : Sustainability, be good person.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LCG : Our natural exitance is to design and create someting.If you design ,ıt makes you happy.I f you are happy you will always shine like a sun and help you create a better society.

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

LCG : I am working on design coffe cup by hand .

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

LCG : Design my home , I design my space that I love to live.

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

LCG : Natural materials are using, save the nature.

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

LCG : Minimalist design will be headed. World is getting crowded, limited space and natural sources needs timeless and minimal design ,less material, timeless design respect nature.

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

LCG : On travel ,inspration comes from serenity.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LCG : Less is Cool and Great.

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

LCG : Depends on person, for me people sets the trends according to how sensitive you are for nature.

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

LCG : Important.Helps you to produce yor design.

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

LCG : Autocad, 3d Max.

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

LCG : Colors takes big role to express your feeling life is colorfull.For example I used copper for autumn.

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

LCG : what is the reason call your design 4 season Love.

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

LCG : Admire and respect to designer how they are great.

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

LCG : My twin sister.We are just like a table legs .Encourage each ourself .

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

LCG : My parents, my friends, my all life .

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

LCG : History of art.Great designs,Dk.

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

LCG : Fallows articles and visit design fairs, visit art galeries .

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

LCG : I would like to meet

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

LCG : I proud of my self. I believed myself during design process.It was realy hard . I takes 46 years to design myself .

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

LCG : Gold, Dead Sea Fethiye, Cherry, Spring, Traveling, Knoll.

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

LCG : I was drawing ,I arrange ambiance in to room lit a candle.I put my drawing on the candle .It start to fire .It was so funny .I present my drawing with brown fired hall.

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

LCG : I wear very stylish and makeup everyday ,and with big smile.

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

LCG : I want to be a famous .I was good at paintind and design and fallows to road that I am good to do.

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

LCG : Natural sources are limited.We have to protect them and respect to the nature.People loose their emotion with technology .I think love helps people return to be their heart ,

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

LCG : I am realy easy going person ı am good at dancing . I do not shame wall for dance so I make people have happy with dancing.