We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Murat Gedik ("MG").
MGD Studio is a versatile design firm that engages in a variety of creative projects across different domains. MGD Studio creates innovative, sustainable and eco-friendly architectural projects, interior and furniture designs.
Murat Gedik Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Murat Gedik.
Murat Gedik Design - Chinte ottoman Multifunctional sectional ottoman
Murat Gedik Design - OXY2050 Poluted air purification
Murat Gedik Design - MG Assos Electric Car
Murat Gedik Design - Field of Flowers Residential villas
Designer Interview of Murat Gedik:
DI: 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?
MG : I started my design career as an architectural draftsman in 1991, and since then I have improved myself by contributing to projects and designs in various architecture and construction offices. I have awards in many fields such as architecture, automobile, furniture and futuristic design category. I graduated from Istanbul Aydin University, Architectural Drafting Program.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MG : Design is life for me. Even life itself, nature and world are a design. Design is what you and your life makes artistic and peaceful. For me, earth is the most beautiful design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MG : Field of Flowers exactly. I find it both peaceful and esthetic.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MG : An exhibition stand design for a cosmetic company
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MG : Stainless metal and corian are my favorite materials
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MG : I feel the most creative when I am in a peaceful place located especially in historical peninsula in İstanbul. It can be a cafe around
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MG : Design has to be different and amazing. I focus on those aspects
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MG : Peace, freedom and joy
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MG : I feel, it makes you proud to provide people and world a vestige, a work of art. And also responsibility. The responsibility for developing yourself
DI: What makes a design successful?
MG : The main thing for a successful design is that it shouldn’t be time-bounded, on contrary it should be beyond time. It has to be appealling in every time zone. The functionality and attractiveness come after.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MG : Esthetic appealling actually. When I glimpse, I want to be affected. After that, the functionality comes. But I judge a design at first look with its esthetic design
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MG : Designer, as an artist, is responsible for leading society and widening their scope. Therefore, he should be beyond time.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MG : Future design will alter with newly invented materials – light but durable and also environment responsible – and human requirements. In this extinctive world, we have to become more environment friendly. Design value depends on this responsibility. In addition, it is time for science fiction movies come true. Human started to think moving to other planets and maybe even living in water. Design field is affected with these intellectual and material developments.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MG : Design exists from the very beginning of time. Thus we are born with inspiration, it is inside us. All I do is to look inside me and examine my feelings and peaceful places are the best place to find yourself. Therefore I meet with nature time to time and listen to myself and the inspiration comes.
DI: 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?
MG : Actually futuristic. I believe that I come from beyond time.
DI: 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?
MG : I live in my home country, Turkey. Absolutely, my country’s cultural heritage affects my designs. I use some of our traditional motifs in my design. I live in a city decorated with art works of world-wide reputable Architect Sinan – known as Great Sinan. Sinan’s philosophy and methods affect me all the time. I have the chance to examine his works whenever I want. On the other hand, I find it difficult to make people accept extraordinary ideas and designs and also implementing those designs in my country.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MG : Every designer has his own style. Companies must consider whether their expectations are fulfilled by this designer, his style or not
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MG : Inspiration comes, sketching starts, function is given, analysis and researches are conducted. Materials are decided. After all, 3D modelling occurs.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MG : Let your ideas free and be innovative. Discover the world and different cultures. Don’t let your inspiration die.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MG : Satisfaction of creating makes your life meaningful.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MG : Esthetic concerns
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MG : Being free-minded, imaginative, having esthetic pleasure, living beyond his time
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MG : Waste paper, pencil - black, red and blue colour, calligraphy pen. As software 3D Max, Autocad and Photoshop. I listen new age and classical music to feed my muse.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MG : Analyze, research and sketching require the most of time. I work systematically. If you plan your job, time management is not so difficult.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MG : It depends on design itself. Sometimes one day, some times one week is necessary
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MG : Where did you graduate from? What is the fountain of your inspiration?
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MG : I love high-tech and futuristic designs. As I mentioned above, I live beyond time. I respect to classical design but I don’t like it. Innovation and technical progress excite me.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MG : I have a mixed use architectural concept in investment process now. I want to implement it. After I want to run my own design atelier and create other concepts.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MG : I design individually
DI: How can people contact you?
MG : Via e-mail and they can visit my webpage under www.mgd-studio.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MG : I wish there could be a technology that helps our dreams to transfer directly to a software as a drawing. I belive it will be some day, I hope I can see this technolgy.