Deniz Ceyhun Baykan

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Deniz Ceyhun Baykan ("DCB") 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?

DCB : I started studying architecture in 1998 in Ercies University and graduated in 2003

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

DCB : I enjoy finding solutions to the problems, creating and discovering new things

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

DCB : Wow, actually I don't believe that anyone can become a designer by being forced to. I just discovered my passion and curiosity and they led me here where I'm now.

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

DCB : I mostly enjoy the design process no matter I'm working on an object or site design. But of course as much project is complex as much enjoyable it is.

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

DCB : Actually I consider myself at the start point of long long journey. All I can say that without passion, patience, hard working and curiosity nobody can become a designer.

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

DCB : Hmmm... I think there is no such meaning as great designer. Every designer has failures and that's how we learn, get experience. And if you draw a conclusion from your failures then you are a good designer.

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

DCB : There are many factors of good design such as "harmony", "style", "function", " sustainability" and of course "budget".

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

DCB : Everyone loves quality, and good design is a quality

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

DCB : Oh... I always was dreaming to design my own house

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

DCB : Like I said in previous question it is my own house

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

DCB : When I was studying at university, one of my teachers told that you can not become a designer without curiosity and hard working. I'm completely stick to that opinion. And also staying connected to the outside world, to the music, fashion, visual arts, cinema, nature, variant communities of people...

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

DCB : Architect Sinan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Kisho Kurokawa

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

DCB : Actually there is no infinite list of them. I love American, Spanish and mostly Ottomans architecture

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

DCB : Each project in it's own is important to me

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

DCB : I think it's more like being an active person in the most things you can do, getting updates, being aware of the time you are living in, and having an eye toward the future.

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

DCB : Being a designer is not title or job, it is a lifestyle. I even don't want to think about anything else.

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

DCB : It's a part of me I can't imagine something more than creating or designing.

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

DCB : My Dad! He supported me in every step I tooksince I was a child and still goes on.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DCB : Patience, Passion, Curiosity, Persistence.

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

DCB : Finding myself...

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

DCB : They should get published so that more people could reach to them, making connections between designers and make an international, borderless design society .

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

DCB : Time will show, let's live and see.

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

DCB : To stay close to the society I'm working with and for. And my designs make people more comfortable and happier.

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

DCB : Innovative design with a good quality. They want a designer to be unpredictable and make them surprised.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DCB : Design should communicate with people to get them involve more and more and make people addicted to the kind of quality.

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

DCB : I'm working on "Border Gate" project and I'm super excited about it. Thit is a huge project with different function that I didn't designed before. And I love new things.

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

DCB : The ones built are so satisfying in a differet way. when you see the lines you drew came to life... I can't convey these feelings.

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

DCB : I think it is on a good track already. May be pedagogyc system of design/architecture could be changed. It is not right when in academies students are treated the same as Economi department students.

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

DCB : I think it is only the beginning. I will go more specified and intelligent with higher technologies involved.

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

DCB : It totally depends On project we are talking about. It is about scale, location, deadlines... lot of things.

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

DCB : Like I said it depends on project I'm working on.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DCB : Be better that yesterday

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

DCB : They both affect each other. It is likely with a question "which comes first chicken or egg?" I can not say where this loop has been started.

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

DCB : Well, I'm so into hand sketches, especially at the beginning, but I can not ignore the technology as a powerful tool that helps me present my ideas.

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

DCB : Autocad, 3D Max, Photoshop... basically everything

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

DCB : There is appropriate Russian proverb for it "The all are cooked in one boiler". That is all I can say.

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

DCB : Mostly about the obstracles I faced through that design process. I thin knowing those and make them more visible is the key to feel the project.

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

DCB : Why didn't I invent this, Lol

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

DCB : Well I'm not into co-design that much, but I appreciate others opinions and I usually consider them when designing.

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

DCB : Some of my teachers, some of my friends (mostly my artist friends).

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

DCB : There is no infinite list of them.

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

DCB : By patience and hard working

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

DCB : Definitly architect Sinan

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

DCB : I don't think that I'm famous one, but I think it is delicious feelings.

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

DCB : All colors and brands wich has got high quality

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

DCB : Can't remember any. May be next time. Lol

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

DCB : A good song in the morning, embrace of my sweat doughters, an idea, seeing a work done... Anything can actually make my day through.

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

DCB : I had no idea who designer is. My dad was a teacher and like every boy I was dreaming to resemble to my father.

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

DCB : Honestly I'm not sure if we as human beings could endure till a thousand years from now, we are very mercyless to our nature.

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

DCB : All I'm trying to do is to simplify peoples life and make it more enjoyable.