Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

Specialized in Lighting Design.

Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

About Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

İbrahim Fatih Satılmış is a multidisciplinary industrial designer with a Master’s degree in Product and Furniture Design from Kingston University and a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering from Erciyes University. Currently serving as a Senior Industrial Designer at TEPTA Lighting, he specialises in lighting product development, combining strong aesthetic sensibilities with technical precision. His expertise spans 3D modelling, production drawing, and design consultancy, enabling the creation of products that are both visually compelling and highly functional. He is known for his collaborative approach and meticulous attention to detail, qualities that consistently contribute to efficient and high-quality project outcomes. In his practice, he actively uses tools such as Solidworks, Keyshot, and Adobe Suite to support the design process from concept to production. With a growing portfolio that reflects both creativity and clarity, Satılmış continues to shape meaningful design solutions within the lighting industry and beyond.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Lighting Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Lighting
Crackdown Decorative Lighting

Crackdown Decorative Lighting

Lighting Design

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Interview with Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

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?
I earned a BSc in Industrial Design Engineering at Erciyes University, then an MA in Product & Furniture Design at Kingston University London. Since childhood I have dismantled objects to understand how they speak through material and form; becoming a designer was the natural outcome.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
tudio Soldout is my Istanbul‑based freelance practice, offering industrial design, engineering, brand identity and digital design. Every project blends minimal aesthetics with cultural context.
What is "design" for you?
Design is a psychological bridge: people articulate themselves through the objects around them.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Lighting is my greatest joy since my MA, followed closely by brand identity projects.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Quiet minimalism—few materials, strong emotion. Pinning it to one product would understate the idea.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
In 2018 I designed a home‑use medical microscope for a local start‑up.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Wood and metal: I enjoy the dialogue between warmth and cool precision.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Curiosity, a flutter of excitement, and the thrill of problem‑solving.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Create value without depleting resources—sustainability is non‑negotiable.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Last: London, 2021. Next goal: a solo show in Istanbul by late 2025.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Urban textures, light–shadow interplay and Anatolian craft heritage.
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?
Quiet minimalism with tactile surprise: “less material, more emotion”.
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?
Istanbul’s cultural collage constantly feeds my work—rich but occasionally chaotic.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Research → concept deck → CAD & engineering → prototype → production
Can you describe a day in your life?
Mornings: emails & production checks; afternoons: CAD and client sessions; evenings: gym, quiet sketching.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SolidWorks, KeyShot, AutoCAD, Adobe CC—and a trusty calliper.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Notion for task tracking keeps projects organised and on schedule.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Two weeks to two years—whatever is needed to meet the brief meaningfully.
Who are some of your clients?
Tepta Aydınlatma aracılığıyla oteller ve özel üretim talep eden müşteriler.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Lighting, because it marries design intuition with rigorous engineering.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I design solo but rely on honest feedback from family and designer friends.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Developing a new lighting installation exploring kinetic reflection.
How can people contact you?
info@ibrahimfatih.com / info@studiosoldout.com • LinkedIn & Instagram @studiosoldout

Designer of the Day Interview with Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I have five years of industrial‑design experience and three years in lighting. At Tepta Lighting I contributed to more than 65 projects and have also completed numerous freelance commissions.
How did you become a designer?
As a child I was forever drawing and re‑imagining my toys. A degree in Industrial Design Engineering, followed by a Master’s in Product and Furniture Design in London, turned that curiosity into a profession.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
My priorities are: 1. the psychological relationship between people and products 2. material honesty and quality 3. modularity and manufacturability. The workflow is rapid model → CAD → physical prototype.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
First sketches bring curiosity and adrenaline; fabrication requires patience; switching the light on for the first time gives a calm thrill.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Anatolian craft heritage taught me patience; the multidisciplinary culture in the UK broadened my outlook; professional life honed my people skills.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I aim to launch new lighting collections and create decorative furniture. At present I’m developing a large‑scale lighting installation.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Don’t fear prototyping, find mentors, stay interdisciplinary and document your journey.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Keep your process transparent, place sustainability at the core and share knowledge with the community.
What is your day to day look like?
Morning: coffee and email. Mid‑day: workshop and CAD work. Evening: exercise and sketching—structured yet flexible.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I follow design and interior‑architecture journals, fairs and biennials. I keep an eye on trends but always prioritise timelessness.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
A design is good when function, emotion and manufacturability are in harmony; longevity and cultural resonance reinforce that harmony.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
If further tweaks start to dilute the core idea, the design is finished—though I always leave the door open for future refinement.
What is your biggest design work?
The Crackdown collection, which merges light and texture poetically and has earned international recognition.
Who is your favourite designer?
Mimar Sinan—he fused timeless beauty with engineering mastery.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I live simply yet meaningfully, rooted in heritage and tradition. In aesthetics I favour values that are timeless and enduring.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
My practice rests on discipline, clarity and solid foundations; I strive to consider every detail, create lasting value and execute with meticulous care.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I volunteer as a mentor for design students, supporting their development free of charge.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
The award boosted my global visibility and reputation, connected me with an international design community and gave me fresh motivation.

Extended Interview with Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I hold a BSc in Industrial Design Engineering from Erciyes University and a full‑scholarship MA in Product & Furniture Design from Kingston University London.
How did you become a designer?
Design grew from a desire to improve human‑object relationships; childhood curiosity evolved into an academic and professional path.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Becoming a designer was entirely my choice—early experiments with materials cemented that passion.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design lighting and furniture; I aim to merge these fields with emerging fabrication technologies.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Document your process, stay curious across disciplines, and embed sustainability from day one.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A great designer makes the problem invisible and weaves cultural meaning into the solution.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Longevity, manufacturability, material integrity, emotional resonance and cultural context.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design adds sustainable brand value—an investment that outlives trends.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Prototyping my own furniture line remains a dream I’m actively pursuing.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Rapid prototyping: I model ideas quickly, test them early, and iterate without attachment—speed exposes flaws before they fossilise.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Mimar Sinan for spatial poetry; Dieter Rams for honest form; Jony Ive for humane tech.
What is your biggest design work?
Sinan’s Selimiye Mosque balances light, scale and serenity; Braun SK4 and iPhone show timeless minimalism; Iris van Herpen’s “Voltage” proves fashion can be sculptural tech.
Who is your favourite designer?
The Akis light collection—because it harmonises reflection, user interaction and spiritual narrative.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Cross‑read, join craft workshops, sketch daily—continuous, hands‑on learning is irreplaceable.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I would probably explore material science—still driven by how matter behaves.

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