We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Asım Yüksel ("AY").
Asım Yüksel was born in Giresun in the year 1991. Having joyful, excited, creative, positive-oriented, well-disciplined, analytical, practical, and solution-oriented characteristics, Asım set his mind to achieving rip-roaring work from the time he is in his right mind. Believing that the key to success is to work in a job you love and rendering self-development a passion in his life, Asım Yüksel started his journey searching for creativity with the formula for motivation and joy by pursuing his passion for designing. Asım's career choice was influenced by the jewelry stores where he spent his childhood. When his curiosity and love for design were added to his handcrafting skills, he decided to study jewelry design at university. After graduating, he moved to Istanbul to deepen his passion for art and jewelry and to develop himself further and worked as a designer in the Grand Bazaar for many years. In those years, he also worked with precious stones and made haute couture products. He also developed himself in diamonds. With his fondness for design and creation, Asım Yüksel has always wanted to design things on a larger scale. While designing with microns in jewelry design, he could not resist the urge to do things on a larger scale. With a radical decision, he re-enrolled in university and studied interior architecture. He started working while he was still a student. Asım Yüksel, who sees interior architecture as a combination of all art branches, is the founder and Design Director of Jul Happy Project. Asım Yüksel likes to take part in challenging projects, use colors and textures in his projects, play with forms, and think and plan every detail of the project down to the finest detail with the contribution of his jewelry design.
Asım Yüksel Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Asım Yüksel.
Asım Yüksel Design - House of Joy Residential Design
Designer Interview of Asım Yüksel:
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?
AY : I met design and art at a young age. I have been painting since my childhood and my first work was highly appreciated by my family and hung on the wall of our house. In my academic career, I received many awards in medium and large-scale competitions. My first university choice was influenced by our jewelry store where I spent my childhood, and I chose the department of Jewelry Design. After working as a designer in Istanbul Grand Bazaar for many years, I decided to choose Interior Architecture as a career in line with my desire to do larger scale works.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AY : I am a designer who started working while studying Interior Architecture. I started working actively during my studies and it contributed me a lot. After working with different companies in different projects for about 4 years, I decided to set up my own company. And I founded Jul Happy Project in Ankara in 2022. We are currently carrying out project-based work with my valuable teammates who support me in visualization, application and technical fields.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AY : I consider design as a means of solving a problem within the need. As a designer, I love to design everything based on need. I see this as a challenge, and I adopt it as a principle to specialize in every field in my profession day by day.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AY : Honestly, I love each of my designs. Each of them contains the best of my best as Asım Yüksel at the moment I created that design. When you are aware of that, I think every design becomes your favorite design. After time passes over a design, of course, you find things to improve and change about that design. And this already shows that you are improving yourself.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AY : For a residential project, my first task as a designer was to design a space that functions as a working and resting area, where all furniture details are designed technically and in 3D.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AY : One of my favorite parts of my profession is the introduction of new materials and technologies every day. Accordingly, I love following trends closely and combining different materials.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AY : I usually feel myself the most creative when I am alone and in a calm and peaceful place. I find design in every moment of my life, and nature always supports me in this, because I love to be inspired by nature.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AY : I make sure that the design is timeless and that it will last a long time once it is implemented. In addition, ergonomics and functionality are essential for me.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AY : The most intense emotion I feel is excitement. I think both the creation and production process is very exciting. It is really satisfying to put on paper what you have created in your mind and then to see it come to life in production. Of course, emotions such as peace, happiness and excitement are sometimes accompanied by stress. I think this is an emotion that supports the design and creation process.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AY : I feel proud.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AY : Of course, the details. I think good design is in the details. I love smart ideas that serve a purpose, things that are cleverly thought out and things that will make other designers jealous and inspire them to say, "how could I not have thought of that?" when they see them.
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?
AY : I think it takes a while for a designer to realize his/her own style, to find the space where he/she feels comfortable and to create works in that field. And unfortunately, for most designers, this is sometimes very difficult or even impossible due to concerns about life. To be honest, until I found my design style, I took part in many projects in different styles, all of which contributed a lot to me, improved myself and were quite nice. However, over time, I realized that the projects I enjoy are simpler, where I can revive simplicity with colors, where I can use spacious, amorphous lines and straight lines in harmony, and where functionality is at the forefront.
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?
AY : I have lived in different cities in Turkey and traveled to as many cities as possible. I currently live in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Turkey is a country with a rich cultural heritage. There is a historical texture and story everywhere. I believe that living here keeps me alive.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AY : I start by doing research. I usually study the best and successful examples in that field in depth. Of course, not only in that field, I try to get inspiration and nourish myself from everywhere. First, I try to fill my brain as much as possible and then I try to free my brain as much as possible before I start the creation process. I think it is important to have an empty mind in order to do original and creative work. I start with a subconscious mind that I fill myself with as much information as possible in the background, and I start the creation process with a clear mind, taking into account the needs of the project.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AY : Empathy. Showing empathy towards the customer, whatever the project is.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AY : I'm a designer who likes to combine the traditional technique with technology. I still love scribbling, sketching, drawing projects, plans and sections by hand. It's something I can't give up. I think using pen and paper is very different. Your brain should flow to the paper. After a certain creative process, it is also very valuable to make full use of technology. You can imagine exactly what your creation will look like when it's finished, but technology allows you to show it to your client. And of course, technology is also very helpful in terms of production. Besides pen and paper, of course I use Autodesk Autocad and Autodesk 3dmax.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AY : It depends on the project. While the design and creation process usually take weeks, the implementation and completion of the architectural project usually takes 3 - 4 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AY : I am often asked about how I get my inspiration manage the process.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AY : I love designing mostly residential projects and community areas such as cafes and restaurants. Honestly, I get excited by projects that involve a lot of detail and sophistication. Working on layout plans from scratch and combining functionality and comfort with design by considering the needs of the project is one of my favorite parts.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AY : We are excited to expand Jul Happy Project and move forward by creating our own brands. We aim to move forward with different and more global works in the coming years.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AY : Although I usually prefer to be alone during the first creation process, I think the design process is a teamwork. The team supports each other and the work that develops with the collective consciousness of team members from different disciplines and different perspectives always turns into better work.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
AY : We are currently working on a restaurant project. I can say that it is a very special, enjoyable and yet colorful project.
DI: How can people contact you?
AY : People can contact me through LinkedIn or Instagram.