Professional Identity
I was never the kind of kid who listened to what was said. My mother used to tell me a Turkish saying that roughly translates to "going where your nose leads you," which means doing what you feel like doing. I have always been a curious child who asks many questions and isn't usually satisfied with the answers. I was a skeptical child who preferred to find my own answers through trial and error. This curiosity fueled a creative streak in me, expressing itself through photography, music, and drawing. However, it wasn't until I encountered computer science at university that my love for creative problem-solving truly began to crystallize into a potential career.
During my two years of computer science study, the binary of 'working' or 'not working' felt stifling to my creative spirit. I yearned for a platform where solutions weren't right or wrong but could be endlessly iterated and improved upon. When I discovered industrial design, it was like coming home - a space that embraces curiosity, celebrates creativity, and is more fluid in its solutions. This transition from computer science to design wasn't a detour; it was an important part of my journey, adding a solid foundation of technical understanding to my creative abilities.
As an industrial designer in the making, I envision using this blend of creativity and technicality to design solutions that aren't confined by the binary of 'right' or 'wrong.' Rather, I'm inspired to create products that invite users to become a part of the design process, reflecting and evolving with them. Ultimately, my journey in industrial design isn't just about creating products; it's about staying true to my core identity - the ever-curious child who questions the world and isn't afraid to break things to make them better.
Vision
As someone who expresses themselves through various art forms, I search for the fine line between art and design. It is often difficult to know which side of the line I stand on, as I juggle both of my identities. I find this quote from the book Thoughts on Interaction Design, by Jon Kolko, to be a very accurate depiction of the distinction between the two: “Yet there is a subtle distinction between artist and designer. An artist makes a statement, a distinct argument, through his canvas or clay or metal, and the viewer responds. A conversation evolves, through acceptance, or rejection, or understanding, or bewilderment. The artist rarely claims a responsibility to the audience—many artists create because they like to or because they feel that they must—and clarity of message may be less relevant than a strong emotional reaction. ‘I do not understand your message, yet I understand that I do not like it.’ The audience is able to form opinions and actions without becoming intimate with the content. A designer has a harder task. Design work is of function, and language, and meaning. Through visual and semantic language, a designer must create a design that assists the viewer not only in experiencing a particular emotion but also in truly understanding the content. This understanding is deeply culture-specific and is not isolated in a single instance in time.”
As a designer, I aim to ponder and experiment with this fine line while not ignoring the responsibilities of a designer. I want my designs to spark thoughts, emotions, and conversations without leaving the user in the dark. I find that most modern designs over-clarify their designs, leaving no room for experimentation or a sense of wonder for the user. This results in bland, carbon copies of the same products, which, in my humble opinion, kills the magic of design. I am aware that this is a slippery slope to walk on, but I believe it is worth taking risks to achieve something original.
Thanks for visiting.
Stay curious.
© 2024 Made by Aydin Genchsoy.
All Rights Reserved.
Professional Identity
I was never the kind of kid who listened to what was said. My mother used to tell me a Turkish saying that roughly translates to "going where your nose leads you," which means doing what you feel like doing. I have always been a curious child who asks many questions and isn't usually satisfied with the answers. I was a skeptical child who preferred to find my own answers through trial and error. This curiosity fueled a creative streak in me, expressing itself through photography, music, and drawing. However, it wasn't until I encountered computer science at university that my love for creative problem-solving truly began to crystallize into a potential career.
During my two years of computer science study, the binary of 'working' or 'not working' felt stifling to my creative spirit. I yearned for a platform where solutions weren't right or wrong but could be endlessly iterated and improved upon. When I discovered industrial design, it was like coming home - a space that embraces curiosity, celebrates creativity, and is more fluid in its solutions. This transition from computer science to design wasn't a detour; it was an important part of my journey, adding a solid foundation of technical understanding to my creative abilities.
As an industrial designer in the making, I envision using this blend of creativity and technicality to design solutions that aren't confined by the binary of 'right' or 'wrong.' Rather, I'm inspired to create products that invite users to become a part of the design process, reflecting and evolving with them. Ultimately, my journey in industrial design isn't just about creating products; it's about staying true to my core identity - the ever-curious child who questions the world and isn't afraid to break things to make them better.
Vision
As someone who expresses themselves through various art forms, I search for the fine line between art and design. It is often difficult to know which side of the line I stand on, as I juggle both of my identities. I find this quote from the book Thoughts on Interaction Design, by Jon Kolko, to be a very accurate depiction of the distinction between the two: “Yet there is a subtle distinction between artist and designer. An artist makes a statement, a distinct argument, through his canvas or clay or metal, and the viewer responds. A conversation evolves, through acceptance, or rejection, or understanding, or bewilderment. The artist rarely claims a responsibility to the audience—many artists create because they like to or because they feel that they must—and clarity of message may be less relevant than a strong emotional reaction. ‘I do not understand your message, yet I understand that I do not like it.’ The audience is able to form opinions and actions without becoming intimate with the content. A designer has a harder task. Design work is of function, and language, and meaning. Through visual and semantic language, a designer must create a design that assists the viewer not only in experiencing a particular emotion but also in truly understanding the content. This understanding is deeply culture-specific and is not isolated in a single instance in time.”
As a designer, I aim to ponder and experiment with this fine line while not ignoring the responsibilities of a designer. I want my designs to spark thoughts, emotions, and conversations without leaving the user in the dark. I find that most modern designs over-clarify their designs, leaving no room for experimentation or a sense of wonder for the user. This results in bland, carbon copies of the same products, which, in my humble opinion, kills the magic of design. I am aware that this is a slippery slope to walk on, but I believe it is worth taking risks to achieve something original.
Thanks for visiting.
Stay curious.
© 2024 Made by Aydin Genchsoy.
All Rights Reserved.
Professional Identity
I was never the kind of kid who listened to what was said. My mother used to tell me a Turkish saying that roughly translates to "going where your nose leads you," which means doing what you feel like doing. I have always been a curious child who asks many questions and isn't usually satisfied with the answers. I was a skeptical child who preferred to find my own answers through trial and error. This curiosity fueled a creative streak in me, expressing itself through photography, music, and drawing. However, it wasn't until I encountered computer science at university that my love for creative problem-solving truly began to crystallize into a potential career.
During my two years of computer science study, the binary of 'working' or 'not working' felt stifling to my creative spirit. I yearned for a platform where solutions weren't right or wrong but could be endlessly iterated and improved upon. When I discovered industrial design, it was like coming home - a space that embraces curiosity, celebrates creativity, and is more fluid in its solutions. This transition from computer science to design wasn't a detour; it was an important part of my journey, adding a solid foundation of technical understanding to my creative abilities.
As an industrial designer in the making, I envision using this blend of creativity and technicality to design solutions that aren't confined by the binary of 'right' or 'wrong.' Rather, I'm inspired to create products that invite users to become a part of the design process, reflecting and evolving with them. Ultimately, my journey in industrial design isn't just about creating products; it's about staying true to my core identity - the ever-curious child who questions the world and isn't afraid to break things to make them better.
Vision
As someone who expresses themselves through various art forms, I search for the fine line between art and design. It is often difficult to know which side of the line I stand on, as I juggle both of my identities. I find this quote from the book Thoughts on Interaction Design, by Jon Kolko, to be a very accurate depiction of the distinction between the two: “Yet there is a subtle distinction between artist and designer. An artist makes a statement, a distinct argument, through his canvas or clay or metal, and the viewer responds. A conversation evolves, through acceptance, or rejection, or understanding, or bewilderment. The artist rarely claims a responsibility to the audience—many artists create because they like to or because they feel that they must—and clarity of message may be less relevant than a strong emotional reaction. ‘I do not understand your message, yet I understand that I do not like it.’ The audience is able to form opinions and actions without becoming intimate with the content. A designer has a harder task. Design work is of function, and language, and meaning. Through visual and semantic language, a designer must create a design that assists the viewer not only in experiencing a particular emotion but also in truly understanding the content. This understanding is deeply culture-specific and is not isolated in a single instance in time.”
As a designer, I aim to ponder and experiment with this fine line while not ignoring the responsibilities of a designer. I want my designs to spark thoughts, emotions, and conversations without leaving the user in the dark. I find that most modern designs over-clarify their designs, leaving no room for experimentation or a sense of wonder for the user. This results in bland, carbon copies of the same products, which, in my humble opinion, kills the magic of design. I am aware that this is a slippery slope to walk on, but I believe it is worth taking risks to achieve something original.
Thanks for visiting.
Stay curious.
© 2024 Made by Aydin Genchsoy.
All Rights Reserved.