Interviews med Gungor Guner

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 !

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.

Personality, Aesthetic, function, quality

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.

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.

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.

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

I am a person who chooses to work alone.

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.

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

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.

I'm a ceramist who left behind fifty years. The formation of ceramics already includes the design phenomenon

too.

As I was a ceramist, I was automatically within the design phenomenon.

Mostly Tableware and two and three dimensional another objects too.

They should training in different craft and production centers like glass, wood, ceramic…

To be a good designer can everybody; to be a great designer one must have art and sciences skill

too.

A good design must to have a function, aesthetic and quality.

A good design sells better.

I don’t know

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)

Aesthetic and function of course possibility for production.

Kay Frank from Finland

First fall I love glass! Kay Frank did glass

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.

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.

I don’t know.

Aesthetic and function, of course possibility for production.

The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country

The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country

The obstacles always exist before and still! First you have to convince the manufacturer. At last the user must to

like your design. The masses may not like what you like.

The designers are mostly not a good seller! Therefore they need a professional marketing institution like your

company.

I was taking part last year with a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used

material was plastic because of its transparenty (actualy I dislike plastic, that was a wrong chosen) This year I

am aiming these to do again by glass (But it is very difficult)

Aesthetic and function.

I am not able to know that.

I've witnessed that after sanitary industry could deliver rather cheap sanitary ware it was a big positive

development in our country.

I was taking part last year with a group vases by A’Design Award Competitıon but without success! Used

material was plastic because of its transparency (actually I dislike plastic, that was a wrong chosen) This year I

am aiming these to do again by glass (But it is very difficult) Origin of these vases were ceramic but I am

aiming to see these vases in transparency form.

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. Besides it had got the A’Design Gold

Award.

I don’t know .

I don’t know.

It depend up to design, but it takes with me mostly long time.

In my own ceramics atelier.

To go on to design for myself as long as possible.

I am agree with the opinion “designs sets the trends but the trends sets the designs too”.

The role of technology is one of the most important elements to designing .

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.

I think the customers should have an opportunity to choose the same design in different color. in conclusion we

are designing for our customers.

Of course they can ask something but I will be very happy if they like it .

Of course I am appreciating always the new great designs in case I really liked it.

Of course we needs often the help of some engineer or master but I do not believe Co-design.

I can't remember any people until now.

I can’t remember! There are so many years behind me .

The years behind me as student and as lecturer with different experience in and out of my country.

With student .

Sorry but I am not famous !

Red, Istanbul/TR., Yoghurt soup, Autumn, Hot shower, A’Design Award .

In our childhood I and my brother we were building always a kiln if we found three stone it was enough for our

kiln! He is a ceramist too.

As I was a ceramist, I was automatically within the design phenomenon. More than 50 years! We are very close

to design as a ceramicist. We are always within motivations

In our childhood there was no word for designer yet!

The geologists don’t talk us any good stories about the future! What can I say ?

The geologists don’t talk us any good stories about the future! What can I say ?

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.

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.

Craft+ Art+ Design and manufactural or Industrial productions

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.

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

Many years ago (1970) ten vases design by Hutshenreuter; while in that time I was student in Germany.

Ceramics and glass

Early morning

Aesthetic and function, of course possibility for production.

Happiness

One of the best gift for my life

Good design +advertisement

The both are possible but İt is nothing to do

Absolute hygiene for the user. Besides any poisons should not let to environment!

No comment

Fourth Design Week 2017 in Istanbul /Tr. I hope 6. Design Week 20019 Istanbul/Tr

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

Ambitious –simplicity, astatic, functionality and quality

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.

Seldom whit companies, I am working mostly in my own atelier

I don’t know

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,

Turkish Coffee Cup, Dinner Set, Garden furniture, Fireplace, Pattern design on ready-made ceramic tile

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.

First fall they should work in different productions center like glass, plastic, wood metal..

It is rather difficult but not impossible!

Functionality

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.

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.

I am an emeritus prof. and ceramist. Despite designing takes of me a long time; designing is for me an preferential and important, enjoy!

I have any idea

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

In Istanbul /Turkey

Ceramics! Because I am ceramist.

I will be very happy if I can going on to designing.

Mostly myself.

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)

gguner67@gmail.com

The questions were too much and most of the questions resembled each other.

Currently, I am one of the oldest academic ceramicists in Turkey. I aim to make the spirit of the culture and geography I belong to be felt in my designs. Due to the responsibility of being a teacher, without denying the unique tradition of ceramics and our own traditions, I created functional or non functional two or three dimensional. I shared my experiences with my students by doing research and studies in every branch of ceramics, without being insensitive to the socio economic events and art movements that time brought before us. CNC interest was the last link among these.

Since our country does not have computer technology, our introduction to the possibilities of computers was quite delayed.In 2007, I attended a workshop organized by ISSEDD (International Ceramic Art Education and Exchange Association) in Korea. Here, especially in the Korean and Japanese tents, Pottery Looms and CNC machines were located opposite each other. Students were working on both of them and displaying their finished designs made on the CNC machine. At that moment I thought, when will we? My former student Mrs. Prof Zehra Cobanli is one of the founding members of ISSEDD and she is currently the representative of Turkey! When I returned home, I took a Rhino drawing lesson from an assistant who was my grandson's age. I easily corrected the parts I didn't like by drawing and three-dimensional scanning of my cup, which I had previously made at the potter's loom. I drew the plaster mold images required for mass production based on the model. The best part of this job was that the plaster molds were now made by CNC.

A separate plaster mold for the Trophy part of the cup, A separate plaster cast was made containing the cup plus cloud motif and handle. After casting the part of the cup, the second solid plaster mold was placed and the cloud motif and cup handle were cast. In this way, any indentations or protrusions inside the cup were prevented and the handle was prevented from sagging.As a result, it was experienced that both machines can be used for a good design.

If the problem is table ware design, I believe that ceramicists are more prone to this due to the flexibility of the materials they use. But a design like Rhino etc. I think it has been proven that if a drawing is shaved, it has a chance of becoming even better. All's well that ends well! (German Proverb)

As of 2008, I retired from MUGSF (Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts) due to age limits. I was invited as a guest Prof. from ITU. (Istanbul Technical University) I accepted his offer because I knew there was a CNC machine there.Learning to draw Rhino was the hardest part. Then, the other difficult part was having to get help from Industrial Design Faculty assistant mechanical engineer Sinan Odekan, to upload the drawing data to the CNC. When I asked him to teach me the necessary procedure, he said, "My teacher said I would have to teach you for a hundred hours." This challenge continues

The most admirable part of this cup design is its handle, as it is very comfortable to hold. But I can say that the most critical point is the handle. Instead of relying on a single porcelain clay, production should be started after testing with a few porcelain clays and making sure that the handle does not sag. In fact, Stoneware mud is not only a safer mud, but also harmonizes very well with the design itself.

I believe my deep understanding and appreciation for ceramics come from my many years of experience as a ceramicist. Over the years, I've honed my skills, learned the intricacies of the craft, and developed a profound connection with the materials and techniques. This journey has not only shaped my artistic vision but also instilled in me a sense of patience, creativity, and dedication. Each piece I create is a testament to the countless hours spent perfecting my craft and the passion I have for this timeless art form.

h 10.3cm, D 6.2, plate D 12.5 cm Dimensions may vary slightly depending on the clay used.Turkish Coffee Cup is an integral part of our homes. I found those cups too small. Since they were small, their handles would also be very small. While trying to hold the handle, your little finger might get cramped. I first made my cup on the potter's loom. I corrected the errors I found on the computer. Based on the final version of the model, I made the drawings necessary to make the plaster molds required for the mass production of the cup using CNC. Those who use the cup like the balance of the handle and body very much.

It had a very positive impact, which is exactly what I aimed to achieve. The design embodies individuality while also reflecting a strong national identity. This balance between personal expression and national pride is what makes the design truly special and meaningful.

I will continue my design work, drawing inspiration from both individual creativity and national cultural heritage. By blending personal expression with the rich traditions of our culture, I aim to create designs that are unique, meaningful, and resonate with a wide audience. This approach allows me to honor our cultural roots while also pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity.