2020
Inspired by iconic cookies, their recognizable shapes, and mouth watering tastes. Each classic cookie mat has a sensual touch and a memorable cut, aiming to create a ‘put a smile on your face’ look. They melt in your memory and bring warmth to your surfaces.
Envisioned in 3 different concepts/versions. Felt. Felt+Felt (double sided+colored). Felt+Leather.
Petit Beurre Placemat
(a childhood classic)
‘Anna’s Swedish cookies’ Placemat
(deliciously crisp)
'Black/white cookies’ Placemat
(a Utica delicacy)
All images 3D rendered by Yaokun Wu.
Material: Felt, Leather.
2021
Everyone drinks tea in Turkey! Tea drinking is a social custom, traditionally embedded in daily life in Turkey. It consists of the repetitive act of sipping and drinking and refilling. Enjoyed among friends, it is served in transparent glasses in recognizable forms of the tulip or slim-waisted / ince-belli curves of a woman's body.
Here is a Series of concepts that are genuinely aiming to develop engaging experiences for good memories.
Add color - Rims and Glasses 2006
Simple and dazzling at once. A playful and easy to tag vessel.
Thicker Rim 2006
A tea glass with a thick rim allows the drinker to grasp the glass comfortably, as opposed to standard Turkish tea glasses that have a thin rim making it difficult to grasp!
Disposable Paper Turkish Tea Cups 2005
The tea cups of my dream world, a softer touch.
Insulated/Double-Walled on the Belly
Tea glass with ‘a double-walled only in the belly’ makes the glass heat proof.
MATERIAL: Glass.
All images 3D rendered by Yaokun Wu.
2007
Gold coins and jewelry are common gifts given in Turkish culture. Ritualistically, family and friends want to provide economic support to each other when celebrating special occasions like engagements, weddings, and newborns. The coins are an investment in the future of their loved ones. They come in different size, value and social meanings.
These concepts are inspired by my endless love for Turkish rituals and genuine reinterpretations from homesickness and happy memories.
Ceyrek altin = quarter gold = ¼= 1.754 gr (cheaper of the coins)
The smallest gold coin is known as ceyrek (¼), however, it maintains its round shape despite its meaning.
yarim altin = half gold = ½= 3.508 gr
Yarim altin is known as half, however it maintains its shape as roundness despite its meaning too.
Tam altin= whole (round) gold = 1= 7.016 gr (you would want this :))
Material: Gold
All images 3D rendered by Yaokun Wu.
Online image is used to represent real coins.
2017
A set of animals inspired by an intricate hand carved wax technique and its endlessly surprising result. I started with my favorite (the elephant) and soon produced a zoo family waiting to be cast in brass.
Ready to be commissioned.
Material: Wax carving & brass casting
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2016
Inspired by the family of cacti and their playful, recognizable and happy shapes. Two favorite forms are turned into containers to grow various succulents, cacti or plants in one happy spot. One can create their mini gardens in these and encourage happy growing.
Material: Slip Cast Ceramic (Available in Natural Terracotta and Glazed Terracotta); 3D printed prototypes are pictured in the last image.
Exhibition: Growth/ AMDC 2016
Planters were invited to be part of exhibition called “Growth”, organized and curated by American Design Club at Design Pavilion during New York Design Week 2016.
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2015
An elegant and clean design to burn one pair of candles and store a spare pair. Loaded lets romantic nights linger and makes stormy nights safer without the hassle of searching for replacement candles.
Material: Walnut and Maple. Initial renderings are presented in brass(short) and stainless steel(tall) in the last pictures.
Exhibition: Curse the Darkness/ AMDC 2015
Loaded were invited to be part of exhibition called “Curse the Darkness”, organized and curated by American Design Club and Roll/Hill at Sight Unseen Offsite during New York Design Week 2015.
Press: Azure Magazine; Fast Company
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2014
A slightly modified, ceramic version of the 2006 design. Produced by ASA Selection, a German Dinnerware, Tableware and Home Accessory company as part of their A Table collection. Available in two sizes. ASA Selection Shop
Material: Fine Bone China
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2012
A study of an everyday form - the American water pitcher. A classic diner necessity, it is a perfectly complex form for the slow and gentle process of slip casting. In total, Pitcher is an object of labor and commitment; fragile despite its repetitive creation story. Each one brand new and unique.
Material: Slip Cast Porcelain
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2011
A continuation of the Clamp-It concept where you carefully take advantage of a table's edge. This Corian version can act as a desktop organizer holding office supplies, or a vase for fresh flowers.
Material: Corian
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2010
A simple form reminding us of love and the great care it requires. Each one-of-a-kind piece integrates unique marks which imitate wounds and scars that highlight the fragility of love. A reminder of the theme ‘Love with Care.'
Note: Wounds do not refer to past incidents. Instead they encourage us to increase our awareness of one another in the present. They also do not imply emotional weaknesses. They are reminders of the unique practices we each experience with love.
Material: Handmade ceramics
Exhibition: Wounded Vase was selected to exhibit during NYC Gift Fair at A+: The Young Designer’s Platform along with 6 young designers from different countries. During its debut, I got commissioned by the Guggenheim Museum to produce the vase as part of their new exhibition called Haunted for Spring 2010.
Press: Bilkent Alumni Magazine; Casa Italia Magazine; Home Art Magazine; Trendsetter Magazine
Photos: Munire Kirmaci
2010
Clamp-it is a desktop organizer designed to eliminate clutter by keeping all your belongings together in one spot. Simply secure it to your desktop surface and fill it in with all your office tools.
For users who don't want to be confined to just one work space, its mobility is especially attractive. When moving from one workspace to another, just grab the whole Clamp-it filled with your office essentials and fasten it to your new work surface.
Material: Walnut and Maple.
Exhibition: The Clamp-it design debuted at the Model Citizen Exhibition during New York Design Week (2010). In 2012, it was chosen to exhibit at the Fun & Functional exhibition. The event was a collaboration of Knock Knock (LA based stationery company) and AMDC (American Design Club).
Photo: Emilie Baltz
2010
Simple forms, close friends and happy thoughts are some of the inspiration behind my unisex necktie line, Mustache & Friends. This project came out as a desire to give my friends something special, something personal and something from the heart. Each unique form is a playful tribute to the personality and soul of each of my friends.
For more information, view the project catalogue.
Thanks to my friends Felix DeVoss, Kofi Asante, Michael Rucker, and Emilie Baltz.
Material: Polyester Stuffing and Fabric
Exhibit: Mustache & Friends was debuted at NYC Gift Fair then got commissioned by Brooklyn Museum Store.
Photo: Emilie Baltz
2010
Inspired by the mutual support and dependability that gives a great sense of security within our relationships, Co-Cane aims to remind us how important it is to have someone beside us, both in good times and in bad. Part of the "Love with Care" series.
Note: Co-Cane may not be addictive but may cause a possible dependence. Use often and when needed.
Material: Red Oak
Exhibition: Co-Cane was selected to exhibit during Tokyo Design Week in 2011 for Arigato Project which aimed to support Japan after the March 11th Tsunami. Arigato Project got published by Gestalten World-Wide. The book is available online through Gelstalten and Amazon.
Press: Arigato Tokyo Design Week Catalog; Design Milk
Photos: Munire Kirmaci
2009
Elegant and playful – for all the foods we loVe.
The Chopstick:2gether is inspired by the traditional use of two simple sticks as an eating utensil – turning each bite into an elegant gesture. Part of the "Love with Care" series, we see that each stick is dependant on the other, and symbolizes the dynamics of togetherness. The two sticks come together to create a V shape that represents a part of loVe, reminding us of the importance of relationships. When not in use, the two individual sticks simply ‘stick2gether’ and become one, making for easy storage and transport.
Material: Maple and Stainless Steel
Exhibition: The piece was exhibited at NYC Gift Fair at “ A+: The Young Designer’s Platform” and "Talents" at Ambiente Fair in Frankfurt, Germany.
Photo: Mete Ozeren
2009
A coffee table inspired by a spider’s body and its distinctive nesting. Two aluminum surfaces with different finishes nest, providing options to the user whether to hide their mess or to create a playful area below or above.
Material: Steel
Photo: Mustafa Onder
2008
Martini glass. Or glass ring. Combined, it is a ring and it is glassware, providing a gesture to fulfill elegance and addiction. The combination initiates communication and interaction as a new social practice for the antisocial within.
Photo: Mustafa Onder
2006
Salt & Pepper in One is a container that unites salt and pepper in one piece. Tilt one end for salt, the other for pepper.
Its soothing form distinguishes itself from conventional salt and pepper shakers — it blends with everyday surroundings without the hassle of hiding for special occasions. It makes itself available to us anytime.
Material: Stainless Steel; Prototype in Gold-Plated Steel pictured at bottom
Exhibition: This design has been debut at the 2006 ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) in New York during New York Design Week and has been picked up by MoMa (Museum of Modern Art) Design Store in New York. It went into production in 2008 and sold at MoMa Store, Walker Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, MOCA Cleveland, IKSV (Istanbul), Arango, etc.
The product was exhibited at various shows, exhibitions and fairs as such Talents at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany, Designers Block during London Design Week, MoMa Destination: Istanbul series, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Designers Spirit, Turkey, A+ Talents Section during New York Gift Fair.
Press: Prattfolio; Trendsetter Magazine; Cumhuriyet
Photo: Mete Ozeren
