Harun Ayaydın

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Harun Ayaydın ("HA") 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?

HA : My design works started in high school. When I succeeded in entering Construction Design major, I had some hand drawing but hadn’t known what I may capable of. When I started to school, firstly I took technical drawing course and also in order to enhance my drawing skills, I took private lessons from major academics in Turkey. My influential role model and teacher was Master Architect Hüseyin Başçelik. If it has not been with him, I would not be that much devoted to this profession. After high school, first I studied Restoration in İstanbul then I completed my interior architecture and other architecture courses and gained my faculty degree from Haliç University. Now I’m a master degree student in Haliç University, Faculty of Architecture.

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

HA : I love to design things and produce them. Designing makes me happy and provides me feeling of powerfulness.

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

HA : I have chosen to be a designer and I’m happy with it.

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

HA : I would like to perform design works in almost every subject, I do not see making distinctions as a correct attitude.

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

HA : In fact, for a long time, I have been thinking of designing a unique stairway. It will be my work because due to the possible high cost, I could not find a customer yet. But in future, if a get a big project, I can include my stairway design upon that project.

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

HA : A complex construction block that lives organically.

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

HA : Working too much.

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

HA : Arch. Big Sinan, Leonardo Da Vinci, Leonardo Fibonacci, Arata İsozaki , Hüseyin Başçetinçelik

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

HA : There are too many things that I would like to tell about this subject but I will cut the story short by an example. The Sulaymaniya Mosque is a really successful design for me in terms of every perfect lines, pencil works and proportions.

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

HA : For now I’m at the very beginning of the road so it would not be a proper thing to say .

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

HA : Probably I would be a military officer.

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

HA : Every moment in our lives actually is a work of design. We make designs during the day intentionally or unintentionally. This process also can be described as making something out of nothing or shaping out of nothing.

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

HA : First of all, my family supported me strongly and taught me how to deal with life. Regarding the design, Hüseyin Başçetinçelik was my supporter and role model.

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

HA : Even I do not know that right now. Maybe a building, or a chair or maybe a box.

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

HA : To be known internationally and selling my products worldwide.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HA : Human life is also a work of design and it becomes more beautiful with details. Our design works help people to enhance their physical and mental perceptions.

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

HA : Sometimes it takes an hour and sometimes it takes months.

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

HA : Of course. When I started a new work or designing a new object, I spare the most shining ideas that sparked in my mind aside, and start drawings about them. When I approached some degree in design, the calculations and proportions take place and I look at their visual values. Then, the materials are included in the process and after that I consult to many people, take notes and make revisions for multiple times.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HA : Do not give up on trying.

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

HA : The more technology develops, the more design areas will pop up and more products and building spaces take place.

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

HA : Computer Programs: AutoCAD/ 3ds max /archicad/ sketchup /photoshop Hand Tools: Pencils, compasses, Golden proportion ruler and miters.

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

HA : Perceptions of people constructed upon the colors. Even the design is black and white and does not have texture, through shades and tones, it unifies with color perception and makes the design unique.

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

HA : Hüseyin Başçetinçelil / Önder Küçükerman / Cem Dogan /Genco Berkin

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

HA : Arch. Big Sinan / Leonardo Da Vinci / Leonardo Fibonacci

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

HA : Now I’m at the very beginning of way and has too much work to do.

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

HA : Color: Dark Blue Place: Monte Carlo /Como / İstanbul Season: Summer- Spring

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

HA : I had an ordinary childhood and I guess it was not obvious.