Industrial Design Fields in Turkey (Based on Design Turkey-2008 Classification)

1. Packaging

• Design of all types of packaging and graphics used for transporting, protecting, and presenting goods to consumers.

2. Lighting

• Design of indoor and outdoor lighting products, including handheld lamps.

3. Electronic Products

• Consumer electronics including audiovisual devices, computers and accessories, and communication devices.

4. Household Electrical Appliances

• Electric tools and appliances for cooking, food refrigeration, and cleaning in the home, including white goods and other household electrical devices.

5. Home and Office Accessories

• Includes cleaning, cooking, dining equipment, and stationery or office supplies.

6. Public and Commercial Products

• Urban furnishings and display equipment used in public and commercial spaces (excluding lighting).

7. Furniture

• Includes home and office furniture and accessories.

8. Sports, Hobby, Games, and Personal Products

• Products for sports, hobbies, games, or personal care include sports equipment, personal care items, musical instruments, toys, baby products, functional footwear, innovative jewellery, and fashion accessories.

9. Transportation Vehicles

• Interior and exterior elements and accessories designs for land, rail, and sea vehicles.

10. Building Materials

• Materials used in interior and exterior construction, including sanitary ceramics, faucets, heating and cooling systems, electrical installations, and related hardware.

11. Investment Products

• Equipment used in professional and industrial applications, including industrial machines, agricultural machinery, construction vehicles, and hand tools.

12. Medical Devices

• Equipment used in hospitals and laboratories, as well as devices for rehabilitation, patient care, medical procedures, and prosthetics.

Professional Profiles of Industrial Design Graduates

Graduates in industrial design can work across all product design fields. They can take on design, product development, and research roles within industries and collaborate closely with various engineering disciplines. They are equipped to oversee the complete design and production process for individual products and may focus on user experience, service design, and interaction design. Additionally, they can work in sectors where Turkish industries are prominent, such as furniture, sanitary products, and household appliances.

Notable Turkish Industrial Design Graduates

The Turkish industrial design field includes several internationally recognized designers:

• Ali Tayar: Architect and founder of Parallel Design Partnership, known for furniture design, with works displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
• Arif Özden: Known for designs in corporate identity, product, and exhibition systems for brands like Vestel and Polo Garage.
• Atilla Kuzu: Co-founder of Zoom Architecture, specializes in interiors for hotels, stores, and exhibition spaces; awarded for seating designs.
• Ayşe Birsel: Listed among America’s “1000 Most Creative People,” she has designed for companies like Hewlett Packard and Renault.
• Aziz Sarıyer: Founder of Derin Design, renowned for innovative furniture design, with collaborations with Cappellini and Moroso.
• Bilgi Karan: Works at Sony Ericsson Creative Design Center in Sweden.
• Can Yalman: Founder of Can Yalman Design, with projects for brands like Arçelik/Beko, Bosch, and Tariş.
• Defne Koz: Owner of Defne Koz Design Studio in Milan, collaborating with global brands such as Sharp and Nissan.
• Efe Buluç: Co-founder of “to22” design group, known for interior decoration products.
• İnci Mutlu: Co-founder of Mutlu&Milano Design Studio, with clients like Vitra and Koziol.
• Kunter Şekercioğlu: Co-owner of Kilit Taşı, designs products for Arzum and Scrikss.
• Mirzat Koç: Founder of Ideolog, designs for brands like Kodak and Panasonic.
• Murat Günak: Former head of design for Volkswagen Group brands.
• Oya Şenocak Akman: A glass design expert at Paşabahçe and a faculty member at Istanbul Technical University.
• Özlem Perşembe: Co-founder of Nesne Tasarım, providing design services for Alcatel, TÜBİTAK, and IBM POS.
• Sezgin Aksu: Works with De Lucchi in Milan, designing for Olivetti and Siemens.
• Tanju Özelgin: Co-founder of Parlak Kırmızı, collaborates with Versace and Sebastian.
• Ümit Altun: Founder of DesignUM, offering design solutions in automotive and home appliances.

These designers highlight Turkey’s role in global industrial design, contributing innovative products across various industries.

Adapted from Yasemin Balaban's article of the same name in Capital magazine (ybalaban@capital.com.tr).