Designers met to ‘increase dialog’

‘Design Studies Symposium’ was organized at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) in order to increase the dialogue between designers and prepare the ground for the emergence of new ideas. In the symposium attended by approximately 60 designers, it was pointed out that a productive dialogue may decrease in the recent period with the change in communication methods, and what should be done to increase creativity and collaborative culture as well as interaction was discussed.

The symposium with the theme of ‘design dialogue’, organized by IUE Graduate School Design Studies Program, welcomed guests from Italy. The symposium was attended by students of interior architecture and environmental design, architecture, industrial design, textile and fashion design and visual communication design, as well as names from fields such as literature, film and engineering.

COMPREHENSIVE SESSIONS

The opening speeches of the symposium were delivered by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Efe Biresselioğlu, Director of IUE Graduate School, Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Deniz Hasırcı, Head of Design Studies Program from Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Didem Yavuz Velipaşaoğlu, Guest Coordinator of the Symposium. Afterwards, sessions titled ‘narratives and dialogue’, ‘individual creativity’, ‘design dialogues with books’, ‘digital dialogues’ and ‘collective dialogues’ were organized. After the opening of the exhibition organized by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şölen Kipöz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Mengi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şölen Kipöz, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Mengi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuba Doğu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Deniz Deniz, the best paper and poster voting took place.

AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES

Stating that they successfully completed the symposium, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “With the effect of the change in technology, the focus has recently been on rapid production. At this point, we think that communication between designers should be more effective and more. It should not be forgotten that design is a critical element that affects and shapes many aspects of our lives. For example, well-designed products or services make our daily lives easier and more efficient. An ergonomic chair makes sitting comfortable. Beautiful and well-designed spaces, products and works of art improve our quality of life. Design is also the pioneer of innovative solutions and developments. Design is a comprehensive and special process that determines every aspect of our lives. In such an important process, it is crucial to increase dialogue. This will have a positive impact on many issues, from production processes to the realization of new projects based on personal and social contribution. I think this symposium is an exemplary and good step to ensure this.”

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR ‘DESIGN STUDIES’

Prof. Dr. Hasırcı stated that a book was also going to be published by IUE Press at the end of the symposium. Stating that international students participated in the symposium, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said that the symposium was very useful in terms of providing experience to young academics. Emphasizing that Design Studies master's and doctoral program applications are open, Prof. Hasırcı invited young people to IUE. The symposium coordination team consisted of Prof. Dr. Deniz Hasırcı, Head of Design Studies Program, Asst. Prof. Dr. Didem Yavuz Velipaşaoğlu, Guest Coordinator of the Symposium, Design Studies Program Coordinators Asst. Prof. Dr. Tuba Doğu, Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Avcı, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gözde Damla Turhan Haskara and Design Studies Program Assistant Res. Asst. Ali Rıza Bayrak.