Interviews met SedaPalanduz, MerveBahar, DelphineHeynen

The defining moment came during the final prototype evaluations when we observed how light interacted with the prismatic surface of the polypropylene body. Until that stage, we knew the form was aesthetically strong and the material was technically suitable, but we had not yet witnessed the emotional impact we were aiming for.As the prototypes began producing crystal-like reflections similar to traditional glassware, I realized we had successfully bridged what many consider a contradiction: combining the elegance of crystal with the durability of polypropylene. For me, that was the moment Glare became more than a functional drinkware collection. It became an experience.Throughout the project, my goal as the lead designer was not to imitate glass, but to reinterpret its emotional value through a contemporary material. Seeing that balance achieved confirmed that the design vision and engineering efforts had truly come together.

I believe Glare contributes to a broader transformation within the HoReCa industry by demonstrating that sustainability does not require sacrificing luxury or guest experience.In high-volume hospitality environments, breakage is not only a financial concern but also an environmental one. Traditional glassware requires frequent replacement, transportation, and disposal. By using recyclable food-safe polypropylene, Glare extends product lifespan while reducing operational waste.What excites me most is that it changes perceptions. For many years, durable materials were associated with purely functional products. Through Glare, I wanted to show that recyclable materials can also deliver refinement, atmosphere, and emotional value. If luxury venues begin to view sustainability as an integrated design opportunity rather than a compromise, then I believe projects like Glare can help drive meaningful change across the industry.

The most significant breakthrough came through the development of highly precise mold surfaces capable of reproducing the prismatic geometry without compromising transparency and surface quality.From a design perspective, the challenge was not creating the texture itself, but ensuring that every facet interacted with light in a controlled manner. Even minor deviations during mold production could dramatically alter the visual effect.Working closely with engineers taught me that injection molding has far greater expressive potential than many designers assume. Initially, I approached polypropylene as a practical material. By the end of the project, I viewed it as a medium capable of delivering sophisticated visual experiences when supported by advanced manufacturing techniques.That collaboration expanded my understanding of what industrial production can achieve when design and engineering evolve together rather than sequentially.

If I had to identify a single quality that distinguished Glare, it would be its ability to reconcile opposing expectations.The project simultaneously addresses aesthetics and durability, luxury and practicality, elegance and safety. Many products succeed in one of these dimensions, but relatively few achieve a meaningful balance across all of them.Receiving international recognition is particularly meaningful because it validates the philosophy that has guided much of my work: thoughtful design should improve both the emotional and practical aspects of everyday experiences.For me, the award is not simply recognition of one product. It encourages further exploration of how advanced manufacturing, user-centered thinking, and emotional design can coexist within professional hospitality products.

The most defining obstacle was achieving crystal-like visual depth while maintaining the structural requirements necessary for intensive professional use.The prismatic surface was essential to the identity of the collection, yet increasing optical effects could potentially weaken manufacturing consistency or reduce impact resistance. Every adjustment affected multiple performance criteria simultaneously.Navigating this challenge reinforced a design philosophy that now guides much of my work: aesthetics should not be added after functionality is resolved. Instead, both must be developed together from the earliest stages.Glare taught me that the strongest innovations often emerge when designers and engineers solve problems collectively rather than defending separate priorities.

The design process began with observation rather than geometry. I was fascinated by how light behaves when it encounters repetitive patterns, reflections, and changing surfaces.From that inspiration, I translated natural rhythms into a structured prismatic language that could be adapted across different vessel types. Whether designing the shot glass, whiskey glass, wine glass, beer glass, or cocktail glass, the objective was to maintain a consistent visual identity while respecting the unique ergonomic and volumetric requirements of each form.Rather than applying a decorative texture, I treated the surface as an integral architectural element that connects the entire collection. This approach allowed the series to feel coherent while giving each piece its own distinct character.

I see Glare evolving alongside the growing demand for premium outdoor hospitality experiences.Luxury hospitality environments increasingly require products that deliver visual sophistication without the operational risks associated with traditional materials. This creates exciting opportunities for expanding the collection.I am particularly interested in exploring new translucent color expressions that interact differently with light throughout the day, as well as additional vessel formats designed for contemporary beverage culture. Material innovation is also an ongoing area of interest, especially developments that further enhance sustainability while maintaining the optical qualities that define the collection.The future of Glare will continue to focus on creating memorable sensory experiences through the intersection of design, light, and material technology.

One aspect that deserves greater attention is the emotional role of durability.Durability is often discussed only in technical terms, but in hospitality design it also shapes the guest experience. A product that feels elegant yet eliminates concerns about breakage allows both staff and guests to interact with greater confidence and comfort.With Glare, I wanted people to experience luxury through atmosphere rather than fragility. The collection challenges the long-standing assumption that premium experiences must rely on delicate materials.In many ways, its most important contribution is cultural rather than technical. It encourages a new understanding of what luxury can be in contemporary hospitality environments.

The interaction with light was intentional from the earliest conceptual stages of the project.The inspiration itself originated from reflections, architectural glazing, and crystal surfaces, so light was never considered a secondary feature. However, it became a measurable design criterion during the prototyping phase when we began evaluating how different prismatic angles influenced reflection patterns.Numerous iterations were developed to refine this relationship. Small geometric adjustments produced significant differences in visual performance.As designers, we often think about form as a physical object. Through Glare, I became increasingly interested in designing the behavior of light itself. Ultimately, the visual dynamism created by changing reflections became one of the defining characteristics of the collection.

What appears simple in the final product is often the result of extensive research, testing, and refinement.The development of Glare involved detailed analysis of hospitality environments, user behavior, stacking requirements, ergonomics, visual perception, material performance, and manufacturing constraints. Every design decision was evaluated through multiple prototypes and close collaboration with engineers.For emerging designers, I believe the most important lesson is that innovation rarely comes from a single breakthrough. More often, it emerges through persistent iteration and a willingness to revisit assumptions.The lesson I wish someone had shared with me before beginning this project is that constraints are not obstacles to creativity; they are often its greatest source. Many of the qualities that make Glare distinctive today emerged directly from the limitations we initially thought would restrict the design.

The moment I knew Ripple had truly come together was when we held the first functional prototype in our hands. From the beginning, my goal was not simply to create another glassware collection, but to establish a meaningful physical connection between the user and the product.When the wave-inspired texture started to create both a visual rhythm and a comfortable tactile experience, I realized we were achieving something beyond aesthetics. At that point, Ripple became more than a serving vessel—it became an experience that could be felt as much as it could be seen.

In today's hospitality industry, sustainability is no longer defined solely by material selection; it is increasingly about the entire lifecycle of a product.I believe Ripple contributes to this shift by offering a durable, recyclable alternative that reduces breakage-related waste while maintaining a premium guest experience. Its long service life makes it particularly valuable in high-volume hospitality environments where replacement rates can be significant.What matters most to me, however, is demonstrating that responsible design and sophisticated design can coexist. Ripple shows that environmental awareness does not have to come at the expense of aesthetics, quality, or experience.

One of the most important technical achievements was ensuring that the three-dimensional wave texture maintained visual consistency from every viewing angle.The surface is not merely decorative; it is central to the identity of the collection. This meant that every curve, transition, and repetition had to perform consistently throughout the manufacturing process.Working closely with the engineering team revealed how even the smallest geometric adjustments could dramatically influence perception. In some cases, fractions of a millimeter made the difference between a surface that felt static and one that conveyed movement and rhythm.

I believe the quality that most distinguished Ripple during the evaluation process was its ability to combine emotional engagement with functional performance.Many products succeed either technically or aesthetically. Ripple was designed to connect these dimensions, creating an experience that begins the moment the user touches the glass and continues throughout the act of serving and enjoying a beverage.Receiving international recognition validates my belief that successful design should engage both practical needs and human emotions. It encourages me to continue exploring this balance in future projects.

The defining challenge was translating the fluidity of natural wave patterns into a form that could be manufactured efficiently and consistently.Water moves freely and organically, while industrial production requires precision, repeatability, and strict tolerances. Finding the balance between these two realities became one of the most important aspects of the project.The experience reinforced a lesson that continues to shape my work today: great design is not only about generating ideas but also about transforming those ideas into solutions that perform successfully in the real world.

The process began not by copying water itself, but by studying the rhythm it creates.I was fascinated by the repetitive patterns formed by waves and how those patterns communicate movement even when frozen in time. From there, I developed a simplified design language capable of translating that rhythm into a manufacturable product.As the collection expanded across different vessel types, maintaining a consistent visual identity became essential. Whether designing a whiskey glass, wine glass, beer glass, or cocktail glass, the goal was to preserve the same rhythmic character while respecting the unique proportions and functions of each form.

I see the luxury HoReCa sector becoming increasingly experience-driven, and I believe Ripple is well positioned to evolve alongside that trend.Future developments may include new vessel types, exclusive collections, and translucent color variations that interact differently with changing light conditions and hospitality environments.What excites me most is that Ripple's design language is highly adaptable. The core concept of rhythm and movement provides a strong foundation for future explorations while maintaining a coherent identity across the collection.

One aspect of Ripple that I believe deserves more attention is its tactile dimension.Most people initially notice the visual qualities of the collection, yet the physical interaction between the hand and the textured surface is equally important. The wave-inspired geometry was designed not only to be seen but also to be experienced through touch.Throughout the project, I focused on how the product would feel in use as much as how it would appear. In many ways, this balance between visual and tactile experience defines the true character of Ripple.

Interestingly, the interaction with light was not the primary objective at the beginning of the project. Initially, the focus was on creating rhythm, ergonomics, and tactile engagement through the wave-inspired surface.However, during the prototyping phase, we noticed that the geometry created unexpected and highly appealing light effects. As a result, light behavior gradually became an important design consideration.From that point forward, we evaluated surface refinements not only for comfort and manufacturability but also for the way they animated the product through changing reflections and highlights.

At first glance, Ripple may appear simple, but that simplicity is the result of extensive research, testing, and refinement.The project involved analyzing hospitality workflows, user behavior, stacking requirements, ergonomics, material performance, and visual perception. Every prototype provided valuable insights that helped improve the final design.If there is one lesson I would share with emerging designers, it is not to become overly attached to the first idea. The strongest solutions often emerge through iteration, experimentation, and continuous improvement.The most important lesson I learned from Ripple is that good design is not only about shaping objects—it is about shaping experiences. What people remember is often not the product itself, but how it made them feel.