We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Kenan Ozcan ("KO").

Kenan Ozcan Design Studio founded in 1999 as the name of DK Design is a multi design studio specialized in interior design based in İstanbul. The works of the studio offer diversity from interior design to furnishing, architecture, restoration, decoration and so on. The design process may includes all from the facade of the buildings to interior space and the special-designed furnitures. The studio acts like a binding between the borders of classicism and modernism using the antiques that specially picked up all over the world. Kenan Ozcan Design Studio often mixes innovative materials and techniques with references to well known historical styles and archetypes in order to create a harmony and make a balance between the traditional aesthetics and the modern technology.

Kenan Ozcan Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Kenan Ozcan.

Designer Interview of Kenan Ozcan:

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?

KO : I have always wanted to be a designer for sure and got educated in architecture department. I choose to improve myself in design and decoration instead of constructional fields.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

KO : Kenan Ozcan Design Studio founded in 1999 as the name of DK Design is a multi design studio specialized in interior design based in İstanbul. The works of the studio offer diversity from interior design to furnishing, architecture, restoration, decoration and so on. The design procces may includes all from the facade of the buildings to interior space and the special-designed furnitures. The studio acts like a binding between the borders of clasisizm and modernisizm using the antiques that specially picked up all over the world. Kenan Ozcan Design Studio often mixes innovative materials and techniques with references to well known historical styles and archetypes in order to create a harmony and make a balance between the traditional aesthetics and the modern technology.

DI: What is "design" for you?

KO : Design is another new "word" to say.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

KO : I like to design something that I have never did before.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

KO : The first thing I designed for a company was a logo.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

KO : Steel is my favourite material.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

KO : I feel more creative when I see new cities or places.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

KO : When I design, I think final of it and feel impatient.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

KO : When my design is realized, I feel satisfied.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

KO : When judging a design as good or bad, I consider the bad one first.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

KO : Sustainable designing is like essential for these day any more.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

KO : The most importing thing is you can not prevent "change" that's why I think the future of design is unpredictable and surprising.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

KO : Travelling all around the world and reading different kind of books are the main sources of my 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?

KO : My design style takes shape from searching the new ones. The approach is to chase innovations and create differences.

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?

KO : I live in Istanbul which is a multi-cultural metropolis. Living in Istanbul is so advantageous for a designer/architect because of having so many cultural heritages from different eras.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

KO : Companies firstly should know themselves, know really what to want or do not want. This requirements ensure to select the designer. My suggestion to companies is to think before select the designer, because the next processes are up to the designer.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

KO : A corkscrew from 18th century and Alessi teapot are my favourite design items at home.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

KO : My suggestions to young designers are not being rush, reading and travelling a lot. because the more learn and travel you realize the less you know.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

KO : I do not say any negatives of being a designer at all.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

KO : My "golden rule" is being open-minded and feel free in design.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

KO : I think intuition and perception are the most important skills for a designer.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

KO : During design process I'm just using books, magazines, pencils and sketch papers.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

KO : I always think that future is unpredictable, so I do not make plans at all.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

KO : I am working as a team.

DI: How can people contact you?

KO : People can contact and text mail me through www.kenanozcan.com

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

KO : The design competitions like this one is really importing to see where the design field and also a chance to express ourselves as a designer.