Tugce Sonmez Evin

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tugce Sonmez Evin ("TSE") 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?

TSE : I have finished my Industrial Design degree in 2010. I always had a great passion for movies, so I immediately hit the film industry right after graduation. There I worked for 6 years becoming a part of re-creation of many different time-periods, on sets. In 2016 I have decided to design for myself and founded Kitbox Design Studio. Since then, I'm producing and selling my own designs under Kitbox brand.

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

TSE : I have always wanted to study design since I know about this job exists. I am fascinated by how all the objects around us work and interact with us. I just wanted to be a part of the creation of these things surrounding our lives.

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

TSE : I like designing everyday objects. We are so accustomed to them, we rarely notice their design. I like putting a new perspective to everyday objects and altering how people see them.

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

TSE : A designer needs to think outside of the box, aim to please senses beside the needs and form an unseen connection with the user. Trends are tempting but not lasting, so my advice would be to avoid designing around the trends but to form your own design language that speaks of you. Then if it's necessary you can integrate some trends into your own language, and you would not compromise sincerity over style.

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

TSE : To me a design is successful if it can form a connection with the user. There are many ways of this connection, some more aesthetical, some more functional. But either way if a design is endorsed by the people that it's designed for, it's a really good design.

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

TSE : A designer is responsible of forming how the people interact with their environment. So, a good design leads to a better experience. We should always invest in good design to be able to improve our lives.

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

TSE : I like to design a whole experience of designing your own object one day. I dream of a shop where everyone can experience creating a unique object for themselves in an instant of a shopping experience.

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

TSE : Secret ingredient is 'human touch', user always feels if a product is designed them in mind.

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

TSE : Of all the design legends, I am truly inspired by Jens Risom's furniture designs. But my all-time favourite is Verner Panton. I love the way he uses colors and shapes to bring minimalism a vibrant touch.

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

TSE : My most significant design work is the Berliner Pouf that has won the Silver A' Design Award. It's especially important for me because it's my first furniture design that has come to realization. I had to design for a production line that I'm quite unfamiliar with and the result has become a success.

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

TSE : It would probably be something skate related. I love skating on every medium, ice, rollers, snow...

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

TSE : Design is a language, in which no symbols or sounds needed. It can translate itself to many cultures if it's done the right way, and if it can reflect human touch. I like how a good design travels through the world and amazes millions.

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

TSE : I am currently working on two different projects; one is a furniture piece that eventually will be complimentary furniture family and the second is a tabletop lighting line, that is fun and functional.

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

TSE : With all the new technologies such as AI, some new opportunities and needs are beginning to emerge. Brands are eager to use it, but it's hard to control and direct it to the exact outcome that is wished. I believe design will evolve to a place in which the designer will be a supervisor of the endless possibilities. That doesn't mean traditional design will fall, but a new era will begin for sure.

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

TSE : I like to start with simple sketches, as many as possible... But this is not an organized stage, it just helps me think. So mostly I draw on different sketchbooks, note papers, whatever I get my hands on. Then I like to start 3D modelling my favorite ideas to work on proportions more precisely. After this stage, depending on the material of the design, I like either make a scaled mock-up, or start the first prototype with my production partners.

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

TSE : Trends are tempting but not lasting, so I think it's best to avoid designing around the trends but to form your own design language that speaks of you. Then if it's necessary you can integrate some trends into your own language, and you would not compromise sincerity over style.

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

TSE : I usually do 3D modelling on Rhinoceros and have some simple Keyshot renderings to decide on finishes.

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

TSE : I hope my designs create some recollections on people. I wish people tell me about their's and ask what mine was when designing it.

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

TSE : It was definitely obvious that I will do some sort of a creative work, as I kept inventing tools to do simple things all the time. But I think my parents thought I'd be an engineer, rather than a designer.