Interview with Ismail Oguz

Ismail Oguz ("IO") interviewed on Thursday, 29 May.

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

IO : I have been working in the pet industry for 11 years. We have been involved in the production phase with many of our customers. I cannot share their names due to KVKK rules. My educational background is a vocational high school graduate.

How did you become a designer?

IO : I love making unique product designs that no one else has made. When making my designs, I first look at their suitability for the pet and then their ease of use for the owner. I started by feeling that the design I made deserves an award, and I will continue my designs in the following years, believing that the designs I make will also receive awards.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

IO : I produce sustainable and recyclable products in the products I design. I find it appropriate to make my designs by hand. I like to plan my new projects once a year and act accordingly.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

IO : I lose sleep over every stage of my designs because I believe they will be award-worthy products.

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

IO : Pet owners' constant demand for innovative products prepared me for this journey. Every design process we carry out is beyond perfect.

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

IO : I want to make my Pet Master brand and myself known in the world. I have very big projects among my projects and I am in the preparation phase, I do not see it appropriate to talk about them right now. My dream designs are to produce special products for pet lovers.

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

IO : My only and final advice to new designer friends is to NEVER STOP BELIEVING.

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

IO : My only suggestion to everyone is to believe that the design to be made is truly flawless.

What is your day to day look like?

IO : My daily life consists of waking up in the morning, having breakfast with my family and coming to the pet shop I run. I do my job in the shop, then I read the news of my own country and then the world news. During the day, I also try to determine the needs of the pet industry on a global scale and think about what I can do about it and take action. The rest of my free time focuses on my innovative designs. In the evening, I go home, have dinner with my family, spend time with them or go out for fun.

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

IO : I like to create designs that suit my own style by talking to pet owners about the latest design trends. I also decide on the colors I will use in the design by following world fashion. Design trends always have to include innovation and are very important.

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

IO : In the designs I make, I first look at whether I have gained the comfort of the pet and then the appreciation of the pet owner, and my latest design product that won the award I received, the Space Capsule, which was on display in my store, started to be appreciated by many pet owners in the store and I heard many people saying "ahaaa" many times and saw that they wanted to buy it, and I took it down from the display and kept it, thinking it was in the design phase :) I look at whether the designs meet the demands and appreciation of the users.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

IO : I check if my designs are really suitable, then I test them, then I have them tested by independent people and listen to their opinions, whether positive or negative. If I encounter negative aspects, I learn about the difficulties they experience, examine the negative aspects and start improving them, and then I have them tested by independent people again, and if all the tests are positive, I believe that the design is truly successful.

What is your biggest design work?

IO : This is my first design. I set out to design this design believing that our pets should be able to use it comfortably in a stress-free environment and that their owners should have the color tastes they want. What makes this design special and perfect is that our Space capsule product has changeable color options when the pet owner goes out or is designed in patterns and colors that match the home decor. I have started a project that I am currently working on and like all my designs, the project is a design that is beyond perfect and unique all over the world and I believe it will be worthy of an award again. I can already say this and I will not give up believing in it. I will make a design every year until 2030 right now, my product projects that I have designed are ready and I believe that all of them will be worthy of an award. If you ask how I speak so confidently, because I believe in myself, but let our viewers see these on the winners page every year :)

Who is your favourite designer?

IO : I don't want to be a little selfish, but I love myself. I don't have a designer that I follow because.

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

IO : If I were to talk a little about my lifestyle: I live in Türkiye/Bursa. I love my country and culture.

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

IO : In my work culture, I am the only employee and the owner of my own business. However, I carry out my products together with business partners that I have agreements with. Working with me is both very difficult and very easy. My business philosophy is my first sentence when I started this job: Knowledge is valuable when shared.

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

IO : Since this is my first design and success, to be frank, I have not yet made any contribution to our society and culture, but it is an issue that my family and I can decide on by thinking about what I can do. The first thing that comes to my mind right now is why not open a shelter in the future, since there is a stray animal problem in our country.

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

IO : This is a very special and proud feeling for me. It cannot be described; everyone should experience this feeling and success. But it is a perfect feeling to have everyone around me congratulate me on my success.

Ismail Oguz Profile