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Interview with Inan Gökçek |
Home > Designer Interviews > Inan Gökçek |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Inan Gökçek (IG) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Inan Gökçek by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
IG: I studied interior architecture (and architecture later) as part of fine arts faculty but before that I always sketched, started drawings animals at the age of 4. I knew I wanted to involve with art but didn't decide about a profession until when I was 20
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
IG: Studio Anares is a multi-disciplinary design practice based in London. Its services span from interiors to architecture but also has its own product designs.
FS: What is "design" for you?
IG: Designing is an act or attempt to improve technical and social aspects of lives and design is the product of this.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
IG: Interior architectural projects where I work within existing context and intervening with it
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
IG: Hattusa Restaurant which has won A Design Award as it's an interior architecture project where I brought many layers together
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
IG: A mobile summer cottage
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
IG: There are a few platforms I follow: ArchDaily, World of Interiors, Dezeen, Contemporist and Architectural Journal
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
IG: In the mornings, talking about time or working on product design ideas referring the type. So working on a product design in the morning when I feel most creative!
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
IG: Combination of problem solving and aesthetics
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
IG: Happy, stupid, intelligent, limited, brilliant, embarrassed, proud, excited and nervous!
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
IG: It is either being happy and proud or embarrassed
FS: What makes a design successful?
IG: A thoughtful design process
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
IG: Technical and social aspects
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
IG: Responsibility of pursuing a design process, therefore a product which responds to its own brief, as well as that bears the the responsibility of environmental issues we are having, in wider perspective
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
IG: Evolving around sustainability. I guess this won't change but everything else will.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
IG: July 2019 at MOOD (Museum of Design, Como, Italy) and would like to have another in my studio in 2020
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
IG: Travels, ethnography and cultures, people and their stories. I feed myself having these by reading, watching and travelling.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
IG: I don't think I have a style, the product I am working on, whether it's a project or a piece of furniture, would hopefully find appreciation by the people who uses them
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
IG: I moved from Turkey, where I was born and grew up, to London when I was 26. Living in London made me look at my cultural heritage with a fresh eyes and it certainly is my biggest design aspiration.
FS: How do you work with companies?
IG: I can work with them however they prefer; on hourly, daily or project basis.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
IG: It is important to bring fresh ideas to their environment and I guess designer's portfolio and references would be the key to select them.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
IG: A journey starts from observing,, sketching, drawing, writing, modelling and talking. Not in this order always.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
IG: Weaving combs that I collected over the years, my Eames chair, rugs and there are many other items that I have.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
IG: Getting up early, starting from creative work and doing admin stuff later. I try doing things for myself in the evenings bu that usually doesn't happen.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
IG: Being active outside rather than on Pinterest!
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
IG: Very painful but it can be equally rewarding
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
IG: Respond constraints first!
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
IG: Sketching
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
IG: I have all but pencil and paper come first
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
IG: I can't!
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
IG: Might take years-with me!
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
IG: If I like what I am doing
FS: What was your most important job experience?
IG: Working on a mixed use development in which we converted a church to a cafe, designed a community centre and 8 flats
FS: Who are some of your clients?
IG: Investors, families and contractors, young and old
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
IG: Interior architectural projects where I work within existing context and intervening with it
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
IG: Finding exciting projects and adding them on to my portfolio
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
IG: Mainly myself but I collaborate time to time
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
IG: I am working on a glass extension for an 19th century building which is within a conservation area. It will be very exciting to see this contemporary addition to the historical surrounding.
FS: How can people contact you?
IG: Email, phone or simply pop in to the studio if you're in Hackney, London!
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
IG: It is very comprehensive, thanks!
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
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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