We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Elkan Nuri ("EN").
To design products that will open people's horizons. Almost all of the designs have same features. When you look at these designs, you can see the designer’s character or his aim of his unique designs. When these designs come together they create an image. These products are designed without using complex materials, without big investment or techniques. Aim of these designs is to use simple producing technique, materials and with minimal resources to create unique difference. So, these products or designs can be made without taking any help from sponsors and companies.
Elkan Nuri Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Elkan Nuri.
Designer Interview of Elkan Nuri:
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?
EN : 1.Even before I learned how to talk, I remember rejecting walking when I saw that my shoelaces were not symmetrical, I loved drawing at an early age. I wan involved with different types of art however I have decided to become a product designer when I was around 25. Even if it was late, I believe that I have given the right decision. Design has become a lifestyle for me. Often times I feel like I am having fun in the companies where I have worked. When the opportunities are fairly limited, it is unbelievably enjoyable for me to create solutions for the limited opportunites.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
EN : ENDESIGN designs products creating enjoyable solutions to the problems at the core of the life, it also provides design services for the market.
DI: What is "design" for you?
EN : Things that exist in the universe are the combination of one or more potentials in a perfect way.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
EN : Environmentally friendly and stimulating products that create enjoyable solutions for problems.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
EN : The Gladiator is one of the designs that I like the most, it reflects my stance against the difficulties in my life. The product’s value increases as it gets old, the product is currently on sale.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
EN : Tramway stops.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
EN : Natural materials, metal, wood and occasionally plastic.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
EN : When I make all of the details of the product that I have designed in a conscious and calculated way after I have set it up.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
EN : Materialization of the the product that I have designed is very important for me.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
EN : While I am designing, I feed my mind with positive feelings by making my mind believe that I would succeed in cases which appear impossible.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
EN : I get more passion for work. I feel like I have passed one additional step.
DI: What makes a design successful?
EN : Realization of a unique idea in the most correct way. Either small or big, the ability to succeed while he problem appears to be impossible.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
EN : I look at the 10 basic criteria of design. Materialization of it is in the forefront for me.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
EN : It is important to design useful and environmental products for the humanity and to design more environmental products in the gradually polluted world.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
EN : The field of design has been expanding due to the advancements in technology and the needs of the people, and it will continue to develop in an unlimited way.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
EN : I have attended the 2018 İstanbul Building Fair (I have attended with the VİZ VİZ product). There will be more fair attendance in the future.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
EN : Inspiration may be obtained from everything, however it depends on how you look at it, the mysteries of the creation of the universe are my biggest source of inspiration.
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?
EN : Everything needs to perform its function in the simplest way as it is supposed to be. Designing the product that I am designing as if I am breathing into it from my soul. As if it is a part of mine...
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?
EN : I live in Turkey, and the environment in which I live naturally affect my designs. When I design extraordinary products, it becomes difficult to put them across. People’s support for cooperativeness during the production stage is of their advantage.
DI: How do you work with companies?
EN : I work in a project-based way. I like to work with firms that are open to innovation with a wide vision.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
EN : They may choose by looking at the portfolio, and also they may try to solve a sample problem. Just finishing the design school does not necessarily mean to have a designer spirit.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
EN : By handling all of the details in the product, I approach the product as if I am recreating it.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
EN : Seiko watch, Seisol glasses, General Mobile phone, tea cup. Asus WT425 Black Optic USB Wireless Mouse.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
EN : I wake up very early in the mornings and I spare one hour if there is a topic that I need to learn, then I have my breakfast. I work for 9 hours. When I go home, I improve mysefl regarding design for two hours after the dinner. Sometimes I watch a science fiction movie. Sometimes I read books.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
EN : Passion and faith, travelling accordingly by knowing the strengths and weaknesses of one’s own. No opportunity comes to your feet by itself, you need to create it.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
EN : The positive side is to become a master in establishing relations with people, to gain reputation. I learn how to think about the fine details in every subject matter , it allows to act by calculating the outcomes, when needed I gain the ability to think more flexibly to find a solution for the problem. The negative side is sometimes to be forced to do the idea which appears to be stupid upon the request of the customer. The inability to completely convey the details of design to the other person.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
EN : To do your own thing, this only makes you first and one and only in the world.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
EN : Before starting to work, to make detailed investigation regarding the topic, to make the analyisis of the factors on the design in a detailed way, to prioritize the realization of the product that I have imagined, to push my limits, to contemplate on the subject matter deeply, to set up the idea in three dimensions in the virtual environment.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
EN : The programs that I use are Rhino, Keyshot and Fusion, my source of inspiration is the nature itself, science fiction movies, hit music, the book – The Holy Qur’an and the unbelievable information and mysteries in it, Latino dance and exercising.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
EN : I think much faster as time diminishes, I push my limits, sometimes I sacrifice from my sleep. I spare all of my remaining time to the subject matter only after I fulfill my urgent needs. I try to stay away from everything that would distract me.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
EN : It changes depending on the product, sometimes I design an ordinary product for two days, and sometimes I spend a year for A Design Award, and it worths. The realization of an idea becomes naturally willing and fast as much as the excellence of the idea.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
EN : You get inspiration from the Ney flute while designing.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
EN : It made me happy to submit my finishing project even before graduating (Eskişehir, Turkey).
DI: Who are some of your clients?
EN : Park urban furniture, furniture, medical, design students.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
EN : I like to blend and finalize the needs of the customers with my own thoughts.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
EN : More like, getting the A Design Award. To bring my own company to a better place.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
EN : Most of the time, single, you may decide everything by yourself, unity may be provided in design. Sometimes, I work as part of a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
EN : No, thanks :)
DI: How can people contact you?
EN : nelkem@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
EN : I try to get the A Design Award by using an ordinary material in an extraordinary way and by integrating this with the design :)