Interview with Tugce Sonmez Evin

Tugce Sonmez Evin ("TSE") interviewed on Friday, 28 June.

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

TSE : I 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 the re-creation of many different time periods, on sets. In 2016 I decided to design for myself and founded Kitbox Design Studio. Since then, I'm producing and selling my own designs under Kitbox brand.

How did you become a designer?

TSE : I have always wanted to study industrial design since I knew that this job existed. 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.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

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, and whatever I get my hands on. Then I like to start 3D modeling my favorite ideas to work on proportions more precisely. After this stage, depending on the material of the design, I like to either make a scaled mock-up or start the first prototype with my production partners.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

TSE : I enjoy the designing process as a whole, but I feel most satisfied when I see the finished product. I mean finished completely with packaging and etc. I see my occupation as designing experiences not only objects, it gives me great pleasure to play a role in designing people's lives.

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

TSE : I have worked in the film industry for 6 years as an Assistant Director. I believe these experiences shaped my design language highly. It was fascinating to be involved with so many design eras and styles working on films. This has influenced me to design timeless objects referencing a time or an experience almost every time.

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

TSE : My future plans involve making collaborations with other brands and designs in the fields that I cannot produce under my own brand. I believe this will be a great way to broaden my career path.

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

TSE : The majority of young designers that I meet tell me that setting up their own brands is what they want to do after graduation. I advise them to take their time before jumping into such a big adventure. As a designer who has walked the way of entrepreneurship, I know there are many obstacles that can be heartbreaking for a mellow unexperienced spirit. Take your time to build strength in life first, then when the right time comes you will be ready to bear any hard time that a business can bring.

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

TSE : A successful design is a design that can build a connection with its user. So, the same goes for the designer. 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 and 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.

What is your day to day look like?

TSE : I have designs that we sell online. So, my daily routine starts with taking care of online sales that need my attention. Then my day varies on how it's planned. Some days I spare for just working on new products, some days I visit production to check on prototypes, and some days we plan a photo/video shooting session as we constantly need to present new material for an online business.

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

TSE : I mostly stick to my own design style as I believe reflects who I am as a designer. But for some projects trends are needed, so I find a way to gently convert the trend to fit my style rather than design the whole collection around the trend.

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

TSE : To me, a design is successful if it can form a connection with its user. There are many ways of this connection, some more aesthetical, some more functional. But either way, a good design will be endorsed by the people that it's designed for. A good design does not sacrifice function for style, or vice versa.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TSE : It's a really tough question. A designer will always want to improve the product even after it hits the shelves. I should best answer how do I decide enough is enough. I always try to decide on some goals when I start designing an object. And a time comes when the design hits every goal but there's still room for minor improvements. Sometimes it's changing the incline of a part a couple degrees or changing the color options. It's very hard to decide on where to stop at this stage. I try to give myself some freedom to play at this last bit, but not as much to change the whole production process. Because as the years go by, I have learnt that the user feedback is crucial for improvements. So maybe it's better I save my energy and resources for the improvements that I can make when producing the second edition.

What is your biggest design work?

TSE : My most significant design work is the Berliner Pouf which has won the Silver A'Design Award. It's especially important for me because it's my first furniture design that has come to a realization. I had to design for a production line that I'm quite unfamiliar with and the result has become a success. I am currently working on two different projects; one is another furniture product that again will be challenging and the second is a table top lighting line, that is fun and functional.

Who is your favourite designer?

TSE : I really love Nika Zupanc as a designer. She is cool, creative, and elegant. I find her work influential and magnificently unique. And of the design legends I would love to have a chat with Jens Risom about his furniture designs. But my all-time favorite is Verner Panton. I love the way he uses colors and shapes to bring minimalism a vibrant touch.

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

TSE : I grew up in Turkey and spent most of my career in Istanbul. It's for sure my cultural heritage in metal-wood working tradition has affected my designs. It became a starting point when I first founded my company and since then, I have tried to combine traditional techniques with modern designs to create contemporary objects. I believe tradition doesn't always mean old style. We are born in a culture, but then we find a harmony between culture and what brings joy to our spirit, which then reflects on our works.

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

TSE : I like to work with open-minded individuals all the time. It's hard to create something inspiring when someone's mind is fixated on one thing only. I always listen to my production partners to be aware of the limits, but I do not allow them to limit my will to push those boundaries a little bit further to improve the design.

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

TSE : I occasionally attend conferences, or courses as a guest designer in universities, to let the young designers learn more about design entrepreneurship. Most design students, including myself at that time, dreamed about seeing their designs being produced one day. I enjoy being the one to tell them that there's a way of doing it in today's industry even as a solo designer.

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

TSE : A'Design Award helped me share my design with a wider audience. Winning such a prestigious award elevated my design to the attention of those I could not have contacted elsewhere. I would love to start a path as I design for other brands too. I believe the A'Design Award will help me present my design language to the design industry and realize my dream of finding a producer for Berliner Pouf so that it can find its place in homes. I am truly proud to be the Designer of the Day. There's no better reward for a designer than the appreciation of her/his skills.

Tugce Sonmez Evin Profile