Hasan Sefa Sofuoglu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hasan Sefa Sofuoglu ("HSS") 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?

HSS : I graduated in Interior Architecture in Istanbul. Then, I completed my master’s degree in Interior and Spatial Design at Domus Academy in Milan, Italy, where I enhanced my skills in innovative and international design.

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

HSS : I am motivated by the power of design to improve everyday life and create meaningful experiences. I became a designer because I love blending creativity with functionality.

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

HSS : Becoming a designer was a conscious choice driven by passion. It was never a force but a natural path.

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

HSS : I am a multidisciplinary and spatial designer, so I design all living environments that shape how people experience life. This includes interiors, public spaces, and any area where life unfolds. Moving forward, I aim to focus even more on holistic and sustainable living environments.

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

HSS : They should stay curious, keep learning, and be fearless in experimenting while respecting the design fundamentals.

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

HSS : A great designer not only creates beautiful work but also understands user needs deeply and solves problems elegantly.

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

HSS : Good design balances aesthetics, usability, and sustainability. I evaluate design by its impact on people and environment.

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

HSS : Good design improves quality of life, increases efficiency, and creates lasting value. Everyone should invest because it pays off long-term.

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

HSS : If I had more time, I would design innovative, sustainable homes not only for people but also for animals. We have occupied so much of their natural habitats that we owe them beautiful, respectful spaces too. Creating environments where humans and animals can coexist harmoniously is a design challenge I’d love to explore.

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

HSS : My dream project is to design a magnificent, inclusive spiritual sanctuary that respects and reflects diverse faiths—be it a mosque, church, temple, synagogue, cathedral, or any place of worship recognized in different cultures, including Eastern traditions. I believe such a space can foster unity, peace, and shared humanity by embracing the sacred architecture of various religions.

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

HSS : My secret is a balance of curiosity, continuous learning, and respecting both function and emotion in design. I always listen deeply to users’ needs and the context of the project.

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

HSS : I draw inspiration from masters like Zaha Hadid for her futuristic forms, Tadao Ando for his harmony with nature, and Philippe Starck for his creativity and wit.

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

HSS : I admire designs that merge innovation with simplicity, like Alvar Aalto’s furniture or Jean Prouvé’s architecture. They are timeless and human-centered.

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

HSS : My greatest design is the Auramaris Yacht, because it seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality, creating a unique narrative inspired by both celestial and maritime elements.

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

HSS : To improve as designers, people should stay curious, practice consistently, and seek diverse experiences. Personally, I focused on continuous learning and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

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

HSS : If I hadn’t become a designer, I think I would have pursued a career in gastronomy or perhaps the arts, as I’ve always been drawn to creative fields.

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

HSS : Design is the thoughtful process of solving problems by creating functional and beautiful solutions that improve people’s lives. For me, it’s a blend of art and science.

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

HSS : My biggest supporters have been my family and mentors who encouraged my creativity and perseverance throughout my journey.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HSS : A passion for learning, openness to feedback, and a strong commitment to both creativity and functionality helped me become a great designer.

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

HSS : Early challenges included balancing creativity with practical constraints, gaining recognition, and continuously adapting to new technologies and trends.

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

HSS : Contextually, and with storytelling. A good presentation makes the concept, process, and impact visible.

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

HSS : I’m working on a hospitality project that blends wellness, nature, and spatial storytelling. Expect more sensory-driven spaces.

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

HSS : To design spaces that leave emotional traces and contribute to more conscious living.

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

HSS : Innovation, clarity, and meaningful design with depth. People expect visionary thinking grounded in real human needs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HSS : Design shapes behavior, builds empathy, and improves quality of life—it’s a quiet force for cultural and social change.

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

HSS : A cultural space in the Mediterranean that merges architecture, art, and nature. It’s a poetic design journey.

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

HSS : Projects where clients trusted the process and we created something timeless with emotional depth.

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

HSS : Less trend-following, more authenticity. And a stronger focus on sustainability and emotional value.

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

HSS : Toward hybrid disciplines, immersive experiences, and emotionally intelligent spaces.

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

HSS : It varies, but concept to completion usually spans 1 to 4 months, depending on complexity.

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

HSS : I begin with context—site, culture, user habits—then build the concept around those layers.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HSS : Dream boldly, draw softly, build meaningfully. Design is not decoration—it's emotion, memory, and quiet revolution. motto is ''Less ego, more soul. Let the space speak.''

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

HSS : Great design sets trends by anticipating human needs. Trends may inspire, but true design leads.

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

HSS : Technology expands possibilities—it’s my silent collaborator in precision, efficiency, and experimentation.

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

HSS : Everything :)

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

HSS : They shape emotion. Color speaks, materials touch, and ambiance hold the memory of space.

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

HSS : I wish they’d ask: “How does it make people feel?” Because emotion is the most honest design feedback.

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

HSS : I think: “What’s the story behind this?” Great design always hides a silent intention.

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

HSS : I believe in co-design—my ideal partner listens deeply, challenges gently, and dares boldly.

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

HSS : Craftspeople and clients who ask meaningful questions both push me to rethink and refine.

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

HSS : “The Eyes of the Skin” by Juhani Pallasmaa and “Invisible Cities” by Italo Calvino shaped my spatial imagination.

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

HSS : By designing constantly, staying curious, failing smart, and surrounding myself with better thinkers than myself.

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

HSS : I’d love to talk with Leonardo da Vinci—a mind that merged science, art, and invention effortlessly.

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

HSS : Recognition is encouraging, but staying grounded is essential. Fame should never outshine the work itself.

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

HSS : Color: Deep green, blue Place: The Aegean coast Food: Wood-fired anything Season: Autumn Thing: Sketchbook Brand: The one that tells a story

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

HSS : During a mock-up review, a client sat on a prototype chair we hadn’t fully assembled yet. As the parts gently slid apart, he calmly said, “I think it needs... a little more structure.” We all burst into laughter, and yes, it did.

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

HSS : My day feels truly great when I’m exchanging ideas with my team and we collectively unlock a design solution. Collaboration feeds creativity. I stay motivated by knowing that design is never a solo act—it’s a dialogue.

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

HSS : I used to rearrange furniture at friends’ homes and draw imaginary houses in the margins of my schoolbooks—so yes, the signs were there.

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

HSS : In a thousand years, I believe design will be more about experience than objects—spaces that adapt, heal, and respond to emotion.

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

HSS : I believe design is not about perfection but connection. If my work makes someone feel something real, then it has done its job.