TAMER BAHADIR OZTURK

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer TAMER BAHADIR OZTURK ("TBO") 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?

TBO : In 1986, I was graduated from ITU Engineering Faculty and then, finish Istanbul University Business Economics (night classes) within 2 years. I started my business career in April 1990, in Sisecam as “Mold Design Engineer”. Since that time, I had been working in variety of departments successfully. For about 5 years, I work as “Design Manager” to increase prestige of Şişecam Glass Packaging with my Design Team.

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

TBO : Life itself.

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

TBO : Normally, I am an engineer. Years and years of experience in different parts of glass packaging sector, I evolve to a designer more then an engineer willingly.

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

TBO : I design glass packaging bottles and jars and thier systems.

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

TBO : “Notice the unnoticed”

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

TBO : A good designer is good at what they design; however a great designer is good at how they shape and ease the up-coming future of humanity.

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

TBO : A good design is simple enough to Express the designers ideas over itself and defend on its own.

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

TBO : A good design will simply use by a very large quantity of people and should effect their life in a good way.

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

TBO : I want to design shelters for unowned animals around the streets

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

TBO : To design products at mission Mars

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

TBO : To make a good research around my every-day environment

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

TBO : Philippe Starck and Karim Rashid

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

TBO : I have 2 great designs and they are my daugthers :)

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

TBO : You must give all of your mental strength to what you aim to create. I respect to what job I have and embrass it as my child. I care for understand it and create my best ideas to match with my project.

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

TBO : I become a tourist guide I guess.

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

TBO : Design is to share your ideas with the people who need them to become real.

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

TBO : My family both outside and inside my company are my biggest supporter.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TBO : To believe in myself and my family.

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

TBO : Until people approve your way of design, all of them could become obstacles that you ought to be faced.

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

TBO : Its upto their needs and facilities.

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

TBO : To serve my company, my country and humanity as best as I can

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

TBO : They expect better, differencemaker, useful, easily produced and cheap to buy designs :)

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

TBO : By the effect of 3d printer technologies with tones of materials and evolving of nanotechnology, I believe, a very bright future is upon us.

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

TBO : It depends on the Project.

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

TBO : I start by merging the Project and the client

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

TBO : I believe the technology is indispensable part of designing. If you are keen on using technology wisely, your design should be successful in a shorter time.

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

TBO : We use pencils, pens, wacom tablet, Catia, 3Ds Max, V-Ray, Photoshop, Power-Point, Enovia, Onbase, Anysis

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

TBO : A good merge of right colors, right materials and suitable ambient will help creating the base of a good design subject.

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

TBO : My team has been my ideal design partner for about many years.

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

TBO : The ones of which we quickly get along with.

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

TBO : It is not hard as long as you have not changed the way you see and contact with people.