Gungor Guner

Specialized in Design.

Gungor Guner

About Gungor Guner

Prof. Dr. Gungor Guner, a faculty member, ceramic craftsman, artist and ceramic designer, is one of the second generation ceramicists in Turkey who received academic ceramic education. After graduating from DTGSYO (State Applied Fine Arts College) in 1958-62, GG also received ceramic art and ceramic engineering education in various art schools in Germany with a state scholarship. During her time in Germany, she interned in various institutions in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany during the summer vacations and some of her designs were purchased by Hutschenreuter and W. Goebel Companies with written agreements! In her ceramic designs, she was inspired by hers own artistic works and also took care to bring the European and Anatolian breeze to a common ground. GG returned to Turkey in 1972 and started working at DTGSYO as an assistant. After retiring due to age in 2008, she continues to teach ceramics as a guest professor at ITU-GSB. (Istanbul Technical University-Fine Arts Dep.) For her doctoral study, she chose the subject of "Existing Primitive Pottery in Anatolia" and traveled all around Anatolia in the summer months of 1972-78, documenting the production regions. This study was published by AKYAYINLARI KULTUR SERISI: 16-5, ISBN: 975-76304-0 1988. This book later became a key book for ceramicists and archaeologists working on this subject.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
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Interview with Gungor Guner

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?
Parallel to my studies on ceramic art, I have also crossed half century as an educator. If you add the learning period to this ten years, I've been doing this for sixty years in total. I continued my education in Germany too. I have worked in different companies abroad. My studies cover different areas of the ceramics (superficial, three-dimensional,functional,conceptual). Many years ago during my education in Germany, I was able to sell functional product design to be produced in series to two important companies.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Nowadays I am interested in the integration of computer technologies that have developed in recent years with ceramics. The Turkish Coffee Cup form I participated in this competition is the result of such a study.After designing the tile design which appeared on the attached photo, it was printed on a ceramic tile by a special digital printing machine for the ceramics color. Then it was produced with a limited number of silk screen methods and it was presented to private customers as a new Year gift of an important ceramic tile company.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I am an old ceramist. So I am designing mostly ceramics; two or three dimensional ceramic objects. These might be surface designs for on the ready-made ceramics objects too.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My Turkish coffee cup design which has been awarded by A’Design Gold Award is at the same time very functional and it has got a good expression which I am satisfied about it: The cloud relief is expressing the Ottoman’s culture and the geometric handle form is expressing the Seljuk’s culture . The cylinder form symbolizes the Republic which is carrying the both culture in to today
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Many years ago (1970) ten vases design by Hutshenreuter; while in that time I was student in Germany.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Absolute hygiene for the user. Besides any poisons should not let to environment!
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Fourth Design Week 2017 in Istanbul /Tr. I hope 6. Design Week 20019 Istanbul/Tr
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I tried to add our culture heritage in to my design, but I elected them very meticulously. Besides I am translating some of my former unic ceramics work in to the Industrial design
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?
Ambitious –simplicity, astatic, functionality and quality
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?
In Turkey/Istanbul. It is my aim to have affects from our cultural heritage.. But I have been travelled (1972-78) a lot during my country to research the pottery areas. It was a big cons and still a cons. I lived and inspired abroad enough in my youth! Now is the time to live and be inspired by my own country.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I am working first fall with clay, later I am drawing the necessary plaster form by computer, later I am using the CNC to make the plaster form. At last by using core casting method for productions with plaster mold,
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Turkish Coffee Cup, Dinner Set, Garden furniture, Fireplace, Pattern design on ready-made ceramic tile
Can you describe a day in your life?
One day in a week I am teaching in Istanbul Technical University in Istanbul. Another days could be very different. But mostly I am working in my atelier or visit an exhibition or I am listening a lecture.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
First fall they should work in different productions center like glass, plastic, wood metal..
What skills are most important for a designer?
To have a skill is wonderful but training in different craft and productions centers help to have got larger visions. By the way a designer must have got art and science skill too.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
As I am a ceramist I am using mostly my already atelier. Of course when I need sometimes the books, computer, CNC, glass other silk screen atelier I used too.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I am an emeritus prof. and ceramist. Despite designing takes of me a long time; designing is for me an preferential and important, enjoy!
What was your most important job experience?
I am an emeritus prof. but I was invited to teach at one of the most important university of Turkey as visiting prof. Istanbul Technical University
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I was taking part last year whit a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used material was plastic (I dislike plastic) This year I aimed these to do by glass ( it is very difficult)
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
The questions were too much and most of the questions resembled each other.

Designer of the Day Interview with Gungor Guner

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
1958-62 I am graduated from the Ceramics Department of state College of Applied Arts in İstanbul/TR. 1964-67 Upon graduation I went to Germany with Ministry of Education Scholarship to study Ceramics and Ceramics Engineering. 1972-2008 I returned to my native country and entered Ceramics Dept. of State College of Applied Arts, which later became the Ceramics and Glass Dept. of Fine Arts Faculty of Marmara University Istanbul/TR, as an assistant, Associate Professor and Professor. 1996-2008 I had been head of department and retired. Since 2009-2018 as quest lecturer at the Fine Arts Dept. of İstanbul Technical University /TR.
How did you become a designer?
During my stay in Europe 1964-72, I worked as a trainee at different workshops and factories in Germany, Holland, Denmark. As a result of written agreements, eleven vase designs of my were purchased by Hutschenreuter Firm in Germany for serial production. In addition, a complete dining set design was purchased for production by Goeble Company in series. Hutschenreuter Firm, indicating the design of Güngör Güner who worked the vases took place in some magazines for many years.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
After deciding what to do, since I am a very old ceramist, I first make my designs with clay. And I am using the computer's capabilities when necessary. I see it is a chance to have knowledge about both methods.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Since I usually work with ceramic materials, the final result is very important. That's why the most exciting moment is when your product is out of the oven. Sometimes you may need to completely rebuild the product. The last word will be said in ceramics is always by the oven.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Ceramic engagement is an application that you can go through from the beginning to the end. This is also appealing to me. Until today, in my own workshop I have produced a large number of functional and non-functional ceramic as unique objects. But now I am aiming my accumulation to reflect to the series production over.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
In my designs, I want to reflect both my own identity and the cultural accumulation of the geography in which I live in but a simple form! I would like to be able to make from glass, the Plexiglas vases which I participated in A Design Award competition.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
We are in Computer age, computer-aided design is a great possibility But I am stillthinking it would be very useful for a designer to have at least one or a more craft skills. Besides, very important for a designer candidate is as a back ground of an arts educations. Craft and Art and Design are like a three-feet. It cannot exist if someone is missing!
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Yes, I am very concerned with the theme of handicrafts or arts education as back ground! But we have to learn all the opportunity that the computer can give us as gift.
What is your day to day look like?
I am a retired instructor. I try to adapt my elected former unique designs to serial production. These are go on a little slower because of my age (76). One day a week I go to Istanbul Technical University. I give elective ceramics lesson. I have students from many different faculties. That day is the best day of the week because they like my class very much. I love the youth !
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I'm not very interested in trends. I am very hard on myself that I already do. Except if there is a train I like it.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
The design process needs on me a very long time. I make a design first with clay after that I fire it in a ceramic kiln. If it’s all propositions after firing are correct and if I am agree with result It will be drawn at a computer the main form and its necessary plaster molds for the series productions.
What is your biggest design work?
I have got some awards with my unique ceramics but last year I participated in the A-Design Award competition and received the Gold Award with the design of Turkish Coffee Cup. This was a design which I liked also and this was my first design award. It has been very important for me. Besides it was the first trial concerned my concept about “from potter’s wheel to the CNC tool. This concept is still going on for my other unique ceramic forms.
Who is your favourite designer?
Mr Onur Müştak Çabanlı ! First off all I highly appreciate him that he designed a huge contest like A Design Awards Competition. Designer from all over the world met each other thank to his enormous idea. I also like his product designs very much. Besides I appreciate from Finland Kay Frank and from Turkey, Mimar (Architect) Sinan.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I am living in İstanbul. İstanbul is a very unique City on the World. Because of one part of city is in Europe, one part is in Asia. Between those two parts is Marmara Sea (Bosporus) I am living in Asian part of Istanbul. So some people travel between two continents every day. İstanbul is a very crowded city but very exciting too. The Anatolian Part of Turkey is a very multi-cultural area from prehistoric until new age. You can see the traces of this all in İstanbul too
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
At the end of Ramadan every year, I donate a cordless chair to the disabled group. I also donate some of my ceramics for sales.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I have had the experience of completing your very complicated application forms. Competitions direct me to work. I find it is necessary for me and for everybody. I am appreciating by the way this event a lot. No comment about designer of the day for myself

Extended Interview with Gungor Guner

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
1958-62 she studied ceramics in the State Collage of Applied Arts. Upon graduation she went to Germany with the Ministry of Education Scholarship to study Ceramics and ceramics engineering.
How did you become a designer?
I'm a ceramist who left behind fifty years. The formation of ceramics already includes the design phenomenon too.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
As I was a ceramist, I was automatically within the design phenomenon.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Mostly Tableware and two and three dimensional another objects too.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
They should training in different craft and production centers like glass, wood, ceramic…
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
To be a good designer can everybody; to be a great designer one must have art and sciences skill too.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A good design must to have a function, aesthetic and quality.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I was taking part last year whit a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used material was plastic (I dislike plastic) This year I aimed these to do by glass ( it is very difficult)
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Aesthetic and function of course possibility for production.
Who is your favourite designer?
My Turkish coffee cup design which has been awarded by A’Design Gold Award is at the same time very functional and it has got a good expression which I am satisfied about it: The cloud relief is expressing the Ottoman’s culture and the geometric handle form is expressing the Seljuk’s culture. The cylinder form symbolizes the Republic which is carrying the both culture in to today.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I am asking for myself if I made a design object:” Would you like to buy yours object to use in your home ? “Be sure I am using my own design objects in my home.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Aesthetic and function, of course possibility for production.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country

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