Interview with Tugce Sonmez Evin

I have always wanted to study industrial design since I knew that this job existed. I am fascinated by how all the objects around us work and interact with us. I just wanted to be a part of the creation of these things surrounding our lives.

I like to start with simple sketches, as many as possible... But this is not an organized stage, it just helps me think. So mostly I draw on different sketchbooks, note papers, and whatever I get my hands on. Then I like to start 3D modeling my favorite ideas to work on proportions more precisely. After this stage, depending on the material of the design, I like to either make a scaled mock-up or start the first prototype with my production partners.

I enjoy the designing process as a whole, but I feel most satisfied when I see the finished product. I mean finished completely with packaging and etc. I see my occupation as designing experiences not only objects, it gives me great pleasure to play a role in designing people's lives.

I have worked in the film industry for 6 years as an Assistant Director. I believe these experiences shaped my design language highly. It was fascinating to be involved with so many design eras and styles working on films. This has influenced me to design timeless objects referencing a time or an experience almost every time.

My future plans involve making collaborations with other brands and designs in the fields that I cannot produce under my own brand. I believe this will be a great way to broaden my career path.

The majority of young designers that I meet tell me that setting up their own brands is what they want to do after graduation. I advise them to take their time before jumping into such a big adventure. As a designer who has walked the way of entrepreneurship, I know there are many obstacles that can be heartbreaking for a mellow unexperienced spirit. Take your time to build strength in life first, then when the right time comes you will be ready to bear any hard time that a business can bring.

A successful design is a design that can build a connection with its user. So, the same goes for the designer. A designer needs to think outside of the box, aim to please senses beside the needs and form an unseen connection with the user. Trends are tempting but not lasting, so my advice would be to avoid designing around the trends and to form your own design language that speaks of you. Then if it's necessary you can integrate some trends into your own language, and you would not compromise sincerity over style.

I have designs that we sell online. So, my daily routine starts with taking care of online sales that need my attention. Then my day varies on how it's planned. Some days I spare for just working on new products, some days I visit production to check on prototypes, and some days we plan a photo/video shooting session as we constantly need to present new material for an online business.

I mostly stick to my own design style as I believe reflects who I am as a designer. But for some projects trends are needed, so I find a way to gently convert the trend to fit my style rather than design the whole collection around the trend.

To me, a design is successful if it can form a connection with its user. There are many ways of this connection, some more aesthetical, some more functional. But either way, a good design will be endorsed by the people that it's designed for. A good design does not sacrifice function for style, or vice versa.

It's a really tough question. A designer will always want to improve the product even after it hits the shelves. I should best answer how do I decide enough is enough. I always try to decide on some goals when I start designing an object. And a time comes when the design hits every goal but there's still room for minor improvements. Sometimes it's changing the incline of a part a couple degrees or changing the color options. It's very hard to decide on where to stop at this stage. I try to give myself some freedom to play at this last bit, but not as much to change the whole production process. Because as the years go by, I have learnt that the user feedback is crucial for improvements. So maybe it's better I save my energy and resources for the improvements that I can make when producing the second edition.

My most significant design work is the Berliner Pouf which has won the Silver A'Design Award. It's especially important for me because it's my first furniture design that has come to a realization. I had to design for a production line that I'm quite unfamiliar with and the result has become a success. I am currently working on two different projects; one is another furniture product that again will be challenging and the second is a table top lighting line, that is fun and functional.

I really love Nika Zupanc as a designer. She is cool, creative, and elegant. I find her work influential and magnificently unique. And of the design legends I would love to have a chat with Jens Risom about his furniture designs. But my all-time favorite is Verner Panton. I love the way he uses colors and shapes to bring minimalism a vibrant touch.

I grew up in Turkey and spent most of my career in Istanbul. It's for sure my cultural heritage in metal-wood working tradition has affected my designs. It became a starting point when I first founded my company and since then, I have tried to combine traditional techniques with modern designs to create contemporary objects. I believe tradition doesn't always mean old style. We are born in a culture, but then we find a harmony between culture and what brings joy to our spirit, which then reflects on our works.

I like to work with open-minded individuals all the time. It's hard to create something inspiring when someone's mind is fixated on one thing only. I always listen to my production partners to be aware of the limits, but I do not allow them to limit my will to push those boundaries a little bit further to improve the design.

I occasionally attend conferences, or courses as a guest designer in universities, to let the young designers learn more about design entrepreneurship. Most design students, including myself at that time, dreamed about seeing their designs being produced one day. I enjoy being the one to tell them that there's a way of doing it in today's industry even as a solo designer.

A'Design Award helped me share my design with a wider audience. Winning such a prestigious award elevated my design to the attention of those I could not have contacted elsewhere. I would love to start a path as I design for other brands too. I believe the A'Design Award will help me present my design language to the design industry and realize my dream of finding a producer for Berliner Pouf so that it can find its place in homes. I am truly proud to be the Designer of the Day. There's no better reward for a designer than the appreciation of her/his skills.

I have always wanted to study design since I know about this job exists. I am fascinated by how all the objects around us work and interact with us. I just wanted to be a part of the creation of these things surrounding our lives.

I like designing everyday objects. We are so accustomed to them, we rarely notice their design. I like putting a new perspective to everyday objects and altering how people see them.

A designer needs to think outside of the box, aim to please senses beside the needs and form an unseen connection with the user. Trends are tempting but not lasting, so my advice would be to avoid designing around the trends but to form your own design language that speaks of you. Then if it's necessary you can integrate some trends into your own language, and you would not compromise sincerity over style.

To me a design is successful if it can form a connection with the user. There are many ways of this connection, some more aesthetical, some more functional. But either way if a design is endorsed by the people that it's designed for, it's a really good design.

A designer is responsible of forming how the people interact with their environment. So, a good design leads to a better experience. We should always invest in good design to be able to improve our lives.

I like to design a whole experience of designing your own object one day. I dream of a shop where everyone can experience creating a unique object for themselves in an instant of a shopping experience.

Secret ingredient is 'human touch', user always feels if a product is designed them in mind.

Of all the design legends, I am truly inspired by Jens Risom's furniture designs. But my all-time favourite is Verner Panton. I love the way he uses colors and shapes to bring minimalism a vibrant touch.

My most significant design work is the Berliner Pouf that has won the Silver A' Design Award. It's especially important for me because it's my first furniture design that has come to realization. I had to design for a production line that I'm quite unfamiliar with and the result has become a success.

It would probably be something skate related. I love skating on every medium, ice, rollers, snow...

Design is a language, in which no symbols or sounds needed. It can translate itself to many cultures if it's done the right way, and if it can reflect human touch. I like how a good design travels through the world and amazes millions.

I am currently working on two different projects; one is a furniture piece that eventually will be complimentary furniture family and the second is a tabletop lighting line, that is fun and functional.

With all the new technologies such as AI, some new opportunities and needs are beginning to emerge. Brands are eager to use it, but it's hard to control and direct it to the exact outcome that is wished. I believe design will evolve to a place in which the designer will be a supervisor of the endless possibilities. That doesn't mean traditional design will fall, but a new era will begin for sure.

I like to start with simple sketches, as many as possible... But this is not an organized stage, it just helps me think. So mostly I draw on different sketchbooks, note papers, whatever I get my hands on. Then I like to start 3D modelling my favorite ideas to work on proportions more precisely. After this stage, depending on the material of the design, I like either make a scaled mock-up, or start the first prototype with my production partners.

Trends are tempting but not lasting, so I think it's best to avoid designing around the trends but to form your own design language that speaks of you. Then if it's necessary you can integrate some trends into your own language, and you would not compromise sincerity over style.

I usually do 3D modelling on Rhinoceros and have some simple Keyshot renderings to decide on finishes.

I hope my designs create some recollections on people. I wish people tell me about their's and ask what mine was when designing it.

It was definitely obvious that I will do some sort of a creative work, as I kept inventing tools to do simple things all the time. But I think my parents thought I'd be an engineer, rather than a designer.

I founded Kitbox Design in 2016 to be able to merchandise my designs. As a young designer I felt like there will be a long way before I start leading a product under any brand, so I decided to try my own company with a production in smaller scale.

I always say design is a language, in which no symbols or sounds needed. It can translate itself to many cultures if it's done the right way, and if it can reflect human touch. I like how a good design travels through the world and amazes millions.

I like designing everyday objects. We are so accustomed to them, we rarely notice their design. I like putting a new perspective to everyday objects and altering how people see them.

It's hard to pick a favoutire but enjoy the most my desk organiser design; Blank. It's a very utilitarian design without giving up the looks.

I enjoy working with metal the most. It's fascinating how it can be formed in so many ways despite being such a hard material.

I feel most creative when I'm relaxed, when I have room to think and wonder without worring about daily duties. So I mostly have ideas on vacation, then I turn them into designs when I get back to work.

Due to my industrial design background, I am unable to separate form from function. I focus on trying to find the right balance between these two aspects.

It's the most amazing feeling to see the result of all your hard work. I always felt like it's this feeling that made me set up my own firm and keep going on this career.

To me a design is successful if it can form a connection with the user. There are many ways of this connection, some more aesthetical, some more functional. But either way if a design is endorsed by the people that it's designed for, it's a success.

A designer is responsible of forming how the people interact with their environment. I like the example of design evolution of glasses on this matter. It took 440 years for the glasses to stay fixed on the face without being held, thanks to Edward Scarlett who designed ear straps. Can you imagine how it changed the lifestyle of many by a simple design change?

My last exhibition was at Salone Satellite of Salone del Mobile Milano in 2022.

Currently I live in Bodrum, a seaside town in aegian coast of Turkey. Before I was living in Istanbul, the heart of many cultures thoughout the history. I belive this affects my designs in very positive a way, because I am coming from a cultural heritage of craftsmenship. I always try to work with local craftsmen in production of my designs to be able to show that modern designs can be achived by traditional techniques.

I work as a solo designer, however I get many feedback and I do rely on useful knowledge of the producers that I work with.

They can contact my by e-mail the easiest. tugce@kitboxdesign.com
That I always check daily and get back to every message personally.