We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Guner Donmez ("GD").
Designer Guner Donmez was born in 1974 in Turkey, after studying design Marmara University Faculty of fine arts. He comletedhis masters degree in designat Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2001. He worked for Vitra as the designer, for model and product development. The designer invited to many international exhibitions like ETMK product designs İstanbul in 1998 and Hanyan University design exhibition korea in 2004 to display his desgns. one of his designs ''Quarter'' was granted as of the best 30 designs in the Designboom Water Concept ''inside the bathroom'' contest. Giving design and product development support to many companies, Guner Donmez is currently working as a design instructor in the faculity of fine arts at Işık and Sakarya Universities.
Guner Donmez Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Guner Donmez.
Designer Interview of Guner Donmez:
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?
GD : Since I was a child I liked to create things with my hands. Art teacher in high school noticed my abilities and adviced to apply for Fine Arts Academy.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
GD : I am freelance designer. I work as design director in Newarc company which produces sanitary ware.
DI: What is "design" for you?
GD : Imagined idea transformed into a product.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GD : I dont have preferance in any specific work. I enjoy solving problems not concentrating on object itself. so I design according to needs and problems.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
GD : My first design for a company is a tea set created in 1996.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
GD : My favorite material is porcelain.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GD : I feel the most creative after midnight. Being alone and not disturapted helps to concentrate on new design.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GD : For me the most important thing in design is functionality.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
GD : While designing I feel a strong excitement. Starting a new design is like a making first mark on an empty paper. At first I feel strong sence of curiosity.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
GD : The most exhited I feel during the process of designing. After design has been realized the only thing what is important for me is it usefull for people. I am more interested in starting a new project.
DI: What makes a design successful?
GD : Paying attention to small details.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GD : The most important point to consider is design trully fulfilling the function.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
GD : The responisbility of designer is to think about needs of society. Designer should not produce unecessary things.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
GD : Design is evolving according to processes happening in the world. And in opposite the world is changing because of design development. We also need to think about necessarity and use the world's resources responibly.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
GD : I have been influenced from Bahaus movement phillosophy.
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?
GD : My style is mostly minimalistic with emphasis on function.
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?
GD : I live in Istanbul. Istanbul is a historical place with multicultural society. Turkish traditional arts are very colorfull, ornamental and full of details. Atghough I have been born and gained my education in Turkey my style is opposite to that. For me the most important thing in design is simplicity and functionality without any visual distruption.
DI: How do you work with companies?
GD : I work as a design adviser and designer.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
GD : Companies should trust a designer and give free creative space.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
GD : First I try to determine the problem, then there is a reasearch process. Trying to find the right technical solution through design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
GD : Victorinox knife, Homend kettle, Casio-Protec Watch, Saneva Camping Tent
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
GD : I have a very busy schedule. Every day is different. Because i work in different places. I give lectures in two differeny universites. An also I am a desing director in a company.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
GD : Working hard and having work ethics is what i advise to my students.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
GD : Designers work life is always changing, there is no place for routine, it makes it exiting and tiring in the same time.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GD : Functionallity over everything.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GD : The ability to tranform an abstrac idea to a physical form.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
GD : First impulse or idea I always mark with sketching in old fashion way, paper and pencil. Then the most work is done on computer using drawing programs.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GD : Designing can take long hours. I prefer working in late hours, when I can not be distrupted.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GD : It depends on product.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
GD : Where to get an inspiration?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
GD : VİTRA sanitary ware company.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
GD : Newarc, VİTRA, İDEVİT
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GD : My goal is to work indesign on international level.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
GD : I work independently.
DI: How can people contact you?
GD : www.gunerdonmez.com / gunerdonmez@gmail.com