We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ozhan Hazirlar ("OH").
Ozhan Hazirlar Architecture, it is a multidisciplinary design office located in Istanbul, Turkey. The company now consists of creative individuals specializing in interior architecture, architecture, special furniture, industrial design, styling, creative branding, and space consulting. We have a strong pool of ideas. The cooperation we have with our customers ensures that we reach the right results. The principles of Ozhan Hazirlar Architecture are quality, special design and timeless nature. The team's individual knowledge base, inspiration, success and enthusiasm at the highest level ensures that every successive project has thought, versatility and flexibility.
Ozhan Hazirlar Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ozhan Hazirlar.
Designer Interview of Ozhan Hazirlar:
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?
OH : Since my childhood, I have enjoyed dreaming and visualizing. Whenever I was somewhere, I would think about how to design it to be more aesthetic and functional. My passion and imagination led people to label me as a “dreamer”.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
OH : Operating as Ozhan Hazirlar Architecture for 24 years, we have been active in the architectural and interior design sector. During this time, we have completed more than 150 projects.
DI: What is "design" for you?
OH : Design, for me, is about creating something new, altering the existing, and beautifying it.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
OH : I enjoy designing commercial projects, especially the furniture within these projects.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
OH : I love them all.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
OH : In my second year of university, in 2000, I designed two buildings and a shopping mall.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
OH : I prefer natural materials such as marble, wood, and stone.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
OH : I usually feel most creative at night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
OH : I first focus on functionality, then work on aesthetics and the ambiance of the space.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
OH : I feel great joy while designing and enjoy brainstorming.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
OH : I take great satisfaction from seeing my designs come to life. I love seeing people live and spend time in the spaces I design.
DI: What makes a design successful?
OH : The correct combination of functionality, aesthetics, material choice, and ambiance makes a design successful.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
OH : I always respect finished work and evaluate design based on its adherence to its core function.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
OH : I believe a designer should continually improve themselves and positively impact society and the environment. As designers, we should strive to make people visually, aurally, and tactilely happy.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
OH : Design evolves alongside life. Humanity’s progress will advance with design, science, sustainability, and respect for nature. I believe design will become even more critical in the future.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
OH : I recently worked on an office project. There is no specific date for my next project, but I am ready to engage with new projects.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
OH : My design inspiration often comes from nature, my travel experiences, and different cultures. I constantly seek to discover new things, visit art exhibitions, and read books to nurture my creativity.
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?
OH : I can describe my design style as minimalist and functional. My exploration of this style stems from my understanding of the power of simplicity and functionality. I approach design to solve problems and improve the user experience.
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?
OH : I currently live in Istanbul. The country’s rich cultural heritage inspires my designs and sometimes shapes them. One of the benefits of living in Turkey is the richness derived from the convergence of various cultures. However, balancing local expectations with international trends can be challenging.
DI: How do you work with companies?
OH : We work closely with companies, considering it an important step to understand customer needs and expectations.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
OH : When selecting a good designer, companies should focus on experience, portfolio, and compatibility. Additionally, communication and understanding are critical for a long-term collaboration.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
OH : My design process usually includes problem identification, research, design stage, feedback gathering, and final refinement stages.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
OH : Personally, my favorite design elements at home include minimalist furniture, decorative objects made from natural materials, and lighting products.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
OH : I usually start my day with planning and research. Then, I spend a day filled with various activities such as client meetings, design work, and collaboration discussions.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
OH : I encourage young designers to continuously learn and be curious. They should also focus on building a portfolio and networking.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
OH : The positives of being a designer include creative freedom, innovation, and the satisfaction of realizing projects. However, one can also face challenges such as a hectic workload and client expectations.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
OH : In design, my “golden rule” is to be user-focused. It is important to always prioritize user needs and expectations.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
OH : Important skills for a good designer include problem-solving ability, creativity, communication skills, and technical knowledge.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
OH : During the design process, I typically use CAD software, hand drawings, prototypes, and internet research, among other tools.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
OH : Time management involves prioritizing and planning tasks, as well as monitoring their progress.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
OH : The design process of an object can vary from start to finish, but typically takes several weeks to several months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
OH : Our clients often ask about budget, timeline, and the progress of the project.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
OH : Every project is important to me, but projects that impact users and contribute to the community are particularly meaningful.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
OH : The customer profile usually includes commercial companies, restaurants, hotels, and private homeowners.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
OH : I love commercial projects and interior design because they offer many opportunities to shape the user experience.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
OH : In the future, I want to focus on larger and more diverse projects, as well as projects that embrace sustainable design principles to reduce environmental impact.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
OH : I enjoy both working within a team and designing individually. Teamwork allows us to bring together different perspectives for richer and more successful results, while individual work encourages freedom and creativity.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
OH : We currently have several ongoing projects that have not yet been completed. A topic I would like to discuss is the impact of design on sustainability and future trends.
DI: How can people contact you?
OH : People can usually reach me through my website or social media accounts. My contact information can be found on my website.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
OH : It could be interesting to discuss how design affects human life and how it might shape the future. Additionally, emphasizing the importance of diversity and equality in the design world is crucial.