Interview with S.A.I.T. Studio

S.A.I.T. Studio ("SS") interviewed on Wednesday, 29 May.

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

SS : I have been interested in art since my childhood. That's why I experimented in different areas of art. During my university years, I worked in the art department of TV series and films. After that, I worked in large architectural companies in my country. Today, I am excited to do different and innovative work with my young friends in my own company.

How did you become a designer?

SS : I didn't know I wanted to be a designer. I was a child who loved painting, listening to music and art. When my primary school teacher noticed my talent, she sent the paintings I drew and the articles I wrote to competitions. I received honors first in my country and then worldwide. Because of these valuable recognitions, I wanted to do better. My family and friends always asked my opinion before buying new clothes or furniture. Thanks to the painting courses and workshops that I started as a hobby, today I have become an interior designer in love with my job.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

SS : When starting a new project, I attach importance to getting to know the customer and the location first. It makes me happy to use local materials and add new interpretations in design. I prefer computer-aided design and renderings. But sometimes I also use traditional methods.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

SS : Creating different designs for different people excites me. It is an indescribable feeling to have a design I dreamed come true. It gives me peace of mind to know that people have new experiences in the spaces I designed.

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

SS : I think a good designer or artist must first be a good observer. Interior architects must have high communication skills, know the customer, determine their needs and make the right suggestions. All branches of art influence each other. Colors in pictures, melody in music, movie and theater decorations, steps in dance... For example, I cannot imagine a movie without music. Loving art, getting to know different cultures, exploring new places always makes the designer's job easier.

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

SS : I want to offer new job opportunities to young designers and architects. I wish my company to be known worldwide for the good projects we do. I dream of designing an airport.

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

SS : I advise my young friends to never give up. It is very important to respect past designers, know their works, try different techniques and follow technology. You should listen to criticism, whether positive or negative, and be open to innovation and development.

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

SS : It's good to approach projects from an objective perspective. Otherwise, occupational blindness may occur. I think designers who have their own style but avoid repeating themselves are more successful.

What is your day to day look like?

SS : It is impossible for me to get bored because every day is different. One day, I'm checking work at the construction site, and the next day, I'm attending meetings with my team in the office. Sometimes I choose a work of art from a gallery, sometimes I can't leave the computer. This dynamic work pace and constant communication with people makes me happy. I usually read design news at the end of the day.

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

SS : I follow design trends from magazines and the internet. I prefer to make designs that are compatible with the user rather than trends. It doesn't surprise me that a chair designed in the 50s is trending again. Good designs can become trendy again in different centuries.

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

SS : I think it is important for a good design to be functional as well as aesthetic. Personalized designs and general designs should be evaluated separately. Whether the design is good or not is directly proportional to the environment and the user. If we move a design from one place to another, it may lose its value. It is very important to design according to the location and user.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

SS : When the thoughtful and searching facial expression is replaced by a smile, I decide that the design is ready. There are always ways to improve a design. When positive comments come from the user and the environment, this increases motivation. I know that a design is successful, when it is implemented exactly and adds value to its location.

What is your biggest design work?

SS : My biggest and most proud project to date is the Liberty Signa Resort Hotel project. I was very excited to make both different and compatible designs in this project, which includes many different areas. Winning an award from a international competition such as A'Design Award increased the value of the project for me. In addition to the rooms and villas in the hotel project with a closed area of 102,000 square meters, eight restaurants with different concepts such as Turkish, Italian, Indian, Pacific Asia, pastry, Irish and beach bars, spa, water world, children's club were designed. In my opinion, every new project brings with it new excitement. It is very enjoyable to meet new people and touch their lives.

Who is your favourite designer?

SS : I admire everyone who has expressed their inner sense of design and become a designer. If I had to give an example from interior designers, I would say Jean-Michel Frank. He advocated the idea that decoration means creating more aesthetics with less furniture, and he organized her concepts according to this perspective. He used furniture he designed himself in the concepts he created, and his designs have continued to be admired since the 1930s until today. Apart from that, I would love to meet an architect Zaha Hadid, if she were alive.

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

SS : I am very lucky. Because I was born and raised in Istanbul, a cosmopolitan city. I have the chance to see the structures built during the Ottoman Empire and the buildings designed by famous Italian and French architects in the past, in the city where I live. People of different origins and beliefs live together. It makes me happy that there are incredibly beautiful churches in a Muslim country. The city of Istanbul, which unites the Asian and European continents, has been the subject of poems, songs, novels, movies and TV series. Living in Istanbul, with its modern and ethnic elements, always influences my designs. I can't imagine a life without music. Music is the best friend, especially in happy and sad times. Knowing music and cultures makes my works easier. I am currently working on a big villa project. I design separate spaces for a couple who has different tastes. Good design has always influenced cultures. Because good designs meet needs and add aesthetics to the environment. Designing small spaces to make them useful and producing quick solutions according to needs makes life easier.

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

SS : Working with me is both easy and difficult. I always want the work environment to be energetic and dynamic. Because I am a perfectionist, I can sometimes tire myself and my team until I find what I want. At the end of the work, we are all happy. I prefer my teammates to be young and open to development. We create a new design for every new project. Not repeating yourself is one of the most important rules for design.

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

SS : I support design students as much as I can. I provide employment opportunities to students who do internships in my company. I attend design events where I am invited and support artists. We also work for some charities.

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

SS : It was exciting to participate in a competition that I have been following for years. Being deemed worthy of an award and being appreciated made both me and my team very happy and increased our motivation. After the awards were announced, I received many congratulatory calls and messages. One of them touched me very much. The dean of the university I graduated from called me and we had a very warm conversation. After congratulating me, he said that this news was an inspiration to university students. Participating in design competitions is important both to follow current designs and to announce your design to more people. It is an honor to be part of the globally recognized A'Design Award. Being deemed worthy of an award by a magnificent competition and being the designer of the day increases your prestige. It is great to shine with your work in every aspect of life. I am also very happy to be nominated in the designer of the year category this year.

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