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Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Cenk Ahmet Kaya (CK) for A' Design Awards and Competition. You can access the full profile of Cenk Ahmet Kaya by clicking here. Access more information about the award winning design Od Ana here.
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Interview with Cenk Ahmet Kaya at Wednesday 14th of June 2023 FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design? CK: The main principles behind my design are refinement and simplicity. I firmly believe that good design should focus on simplicity, functionality, and aesthetics. I strive to combine form and function in perfect harmony. I draw inspiration from the world around me, observing how people interact with objects and the environment. I aim to create products that are user-friendly, intuitive, and timeless. By eliminating unnecessary elements and embracing clean lines, I strive to achieve clarity and elegance in my designs. Ultimately, my goal is to enhance people's lives through thoughtful and enduring design solutions. FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve? CK: I focused on a solution that doesn't confine itself to the traditional categories of interior lighting. I aimed to create a versatile lighting solution that can function as a desk lamp when needed, a floor lamp at other times, or even as a bedside lamp for nighttime use. Therefore, it was crucial for the light to be easily manipulable, allowing it to adapt seamlessly to various living spaces. As a result, Od Ana came into existence. FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design? CK: I am currently working on variations of the "Od Ana" design. Od Ana possesses a clear and pristine form, allowing one to discover intricate surface details upon closer inspection. I aim to take this communication further by integrating the traditional arts of Anatolia with the Od Ana design. If I can modernize patterns used in crafts such as mother-of-pearl inlay, woodwork, or copper processing, I thought for Od Ana will achieve a deeper level of design. FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept? CK: I initially designed the primitive form of Od Ana in 2015. Over time, it underwent modifications and refinements, eventually evolving into its present state. Taking the production process into account as well, the entire journey spanned approximately 22 months. FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration? CK: Od Ana is not commissioned; rather, it emerged solely out of my personal requirements. FS: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself? CK: Od Ana is currently being produced under the umbrella of Cenkkaya Design, an Istanbul-based company of which I am the founder and creative director. So far, I have not considered selling or leasing the production rights to my designs. I design with consideration for the production conditions that I am currently in. Therefore, I refrain from designing things that I cannot produce with my own resources. However, if something were to emerge that surpasses the production technology and conditions I am currently in, why not explore it? FS: What made you design this particular type of work? CK: Most of the time, I cannot find what I am looking for. That's why I focus on creating it myself. Then, layer by layer, new ideas are added, refined, and something entirely different emerges. This was the essence of Od Ana too. FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work? CK: Certainly, there are architects and industrial/product designers whom I admire, but no one has ever inspired me with all the pieces. I derive greater pleasure from assembling the pieces within the framework of my own perception rather than simply merging existing elements. FS: Who is the target customer for his design? CK: I suppose I can refer to people who share a similar perception. My designs are not intended to cater to everyone's needs. While an analytical and solution-oriented design framework can somewhat homogenize my personal sentiments, my perspective remains heavily involved. The designs I create are not about high technology or impossible things. I believe my clientele consists of a limited number of individuals who share similar sensibilities. FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts? CK: I believe this could potentially involve a focus on clean lines, a minimalist aesthetic, and fundamental functionality. It can be said that through meticulously crafted elements and meticulous attention to detail, it creates a sense of void, stillness, and introspection. FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean? CK: Od Ana derived its name from Turkish mythology's goddess of fire, Od Ana. Described as a silver-haired woman by the Yakut Turks, she is a goddess who protects the fire, which symbolizes the heart of the family and home. Upon encountering this information, I immediately finalized the design's name. FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project? CK: Familiar design processes and tools l employed, though I wouldn't want to bore you by listing them individually. However, even in the simplest of designs, I make use of Rhino. FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design? CK: It is a challenging and ambitious question, and I tend to avoid answering such inquiries. I am someone who combines existing points in my own perspective to reach new conclusions, which is, in a way, the essence of the design itself. Therefore, a designer cannot create something entirely unique; at most, they can offer a different perspective. FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills? CK: Od Ana is composed of stainless steel, larch wood, and electrical components. Rather than focusing on the technical aspects, I was concerned with the craftsmanship and precision in the fabrication of the parts. Hence, I collaborated with skilled artisans who were capable of meticulously working with these materials. Because Od Ana does not have a complex technique. FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design? CK: Od Ana does not embody a high-tech design. It is handcrafted utilizing entirely familiar traditional techniques. FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept? CK: The moisture content of the materials is a crucial factor. Within the wooden fixture of Od Ana, there exists a stainless steel safety reservoir with a thickness of 1 mm, and the components are assembled after being produced in separate workshops. Therefore, when there was any deviation from the pre-calculated moisture content, the parts would never fit together. We resolved this issue by stabilizing the moisture levels. FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition? CK: I made the decision due to the incessant insistence of my friends. FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work? CK: Considering the production conditions I was in, I undoubtedly gained significant insights into the concepts of "patience and perseverance."
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers. |
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Good design deserves great recognition. |
A' Design Award & Competition. |