Projects that touch life by young designers

A selection of projects designed in the 2023-2024 academic year was presented at the Yaşar University Faculty of Arts and Design Industrial Design Department Student Projects Exhibition, held annually.

In the exhibition held in the foyer area of Selçuk Yaşar Campus, products such as yacht designs, cooling products, electric small home appliances, pop-up stores, etc., developed through collaboration with companies by final year students were displayed. Additionally, third-year students showcased home fitness equipment, small appliances for personal health, playgrounds, etc. Projects from second-year students included portable Bluetooth speakers, extension cords with converters and portable charging units, wooden and movable play items for preschool children, and wooden folding chair designs.

Award-winning projects

Two of the exhibited projects qualified for awards in design competitions. The project “Nüvenest / Product Service System Supporting the Reproduction of Fig Wasps” prepared by Buse Kızılkaya, Canan Oktay, and Elifsu Celep won the First Prize in the product design category of the “Design the Sustainable Future Competition” organized by Rönesans Holding.

The project, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Faculty Member Ezgi Ozan and Part-time Instructor Egemen Tamcı, features a product service system design that supports the reproduction of Nüvenest fig wasps. It aims to ensure the sustainability of the partnership between fig trees and fig wasps, protect the ecosystem by utilizing food waste, and provide economic benefits to local farmers and women.

The other award-winning design is the Cycle Seat / Foldable Chair Design for Cyclists, designed by Berke Kayranlı, Seçil Karaorman, and Mustafa Yiğit Aksu. The project, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Faculty Member Sevi Merter, Part-time Instructor Burçin Özkır Aşıcı, and Nermin Sena Özger, was awarded first place in the 4th Disruptive Furniture Design Competition.

Pop-Up store

Additionally, the 4th-year studio project titled “Pop-up Store Design Reflecting Turkish Coffee Culture” was one of the attention-grabbing projects in the exhibition. The 4th-year industrial design students of Yaşar University produced designs that address Turkish coffee culture with an approach responding to modern consumer expectations. The students developed designs considered as easily installable and portable pop-up stores that could be positioned in both indoor and outdoor spaces, aiming to create spaces that transcend being mere coffee sales points and instead celebrate the rituals and culture surrounding Turkish coffee. The project was supervised by Dr. Faculty Member Selen Devrim Ülkebaş Tüzen, Part-time Instructor Sıdıka Ece Güçer, Part-time Instructor Sabri Mert Arık, and Research Assistant Açelya Küçükkurt.

Similarly, in collaboration with CEMER Urban Equipment, under the guidance of Dr. Faculty Member Ezgi Ozan Avcı and Part-time Instructor Egemen Tamcı, students designed park equipment as a 3rd-year studio project. The project garnered appreciation for being a park-playground equipment that would support the physical development of children aged 2-5 or 5-12, as well as their social, cognitive, and emotional development, suitable for various types of play.