Interview with Kemal Yıldırım

Kemal Yıldırım ("KY") interviewed on Friday, 14 December.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

KY : My professional journey started in the furniture workshop of my parents during high school years. On the one hand, while I was attending school, I was also assisting the furniture and decoration works produced in the workshop. The experience I gained between the school and the practice workshop made me love furniture and interior design. As my time progressed, my desire to be a design educator came to the forefront, and then my designs.

How did you become a designer?

KY : When I started to solve the design problems I encountered, my designs began to emerge.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

KY : The extent to which it meets the needs, the specificity, the applicability, the damage to the human and the environment, the ease of recycling, assembly and transportation.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

KY : The moment I find the idea in my designs, my excitement reaches the highest level. It gives me great pleasure to look at my design.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

KY : The environment in which I was born, my interest and ability in design.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

KY : To be able to make new, original, sustainable environmentally sensitive designs that do not threaten human health.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

KY : The discipline of design demands labor, patience, weariness without getting tired, respecting human and nature ... I suggest to make user-oriented designs.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

KY : I advise people to refrain from repeating, to reflect their wishes and needs to their designs.

What is your day to day look like?

KY : It is very busy, most of the time with lectures at university, reports, meetings, article refereeing ...

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

KY : I like to follow the new designs trents, I find it important for a designer.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

KY : Good design must solve a problem, meet a requirement, be easy to produce, be easy to carry, not harm the nature, must be long-lasting.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

KY : It must meet a requirement, solve a problem, be original, not harm people and the environment, and should be made of recycled materials.

What is your biggest design work?

KY : It is “Second Prize” with our design called Life Bed at the “Furniture Design Competition for Saving Lives in an Earthquake”. When I first heard the name of the contest "life-saving" words were very impressed me. With this special and meaningful design, we wanted to support humanity and the right to life.

Who is your favourite designer?

KY : Funiture Designer M. Lütfi Hidayetoğlu

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

KY : I care about an innovative, environment-friendly way of life that considers common culture, focuses on people.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

KY : I don't like leaving this day to work tomorrow. I like a planned lifestyle.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

KY : In my designs, I always act with a philosophy that keeps the material interests in the background and puts forward the needs of society.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

KY : I had the opportunity to meet people who are interested in design of many countries around the world .. New beginnings, new searches, new horizons opened ...

Kemal Yıldırım Profile