Welcome to Emin Durak`s Portfolio

From contradictory paradox to beautifully crafted diversity
From the limits of criticism to eternal composition
Where it meets the aesthetics within art, within technology, within science
Within humanity, within wisdom...
Welcome to
Emin Durak’s Portfolio
Abstract art forms:
Combination of contemporary interpretation of Medieval
Islamic Art from Middle Asia - Uzbekistan &
Samples by an interactive online sketching tool developed
with java based open source platform - Processing
www.peterlu.org
mariuswatz.com
Emin Durak
birth: 08/10/1986 - Niğde, Turkey
Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts & Design
MFA Experience Design Program, 2nd year
www.konstfack.se
www.designingtime.se
Developing web applications and software tools for the
usage of new media environments context via using
Stockholm, Sweden
open-source tool Processing. Besides this art & technol-
e10durak@gmail.com
ogy wise advanced project; I’m pursuing my research in
+46 (0) 736 498 974
diverse fields such as having taken classes from Stock-
Istanbul Technical University
Undergraduate / BSc in Industrial Design (grad: 2010)
University of the Aegean
Products & Systems Design Engineering, 1 year exchange (2009)
holm University and processing independent researches
www.itu.edu.tr
design.itu.edu.tr
wwww.aegean.gr
syros.aegean.gr
2010 - Emedya Communications & Web design, Istanbul, employee
www.emedya.net
2009 - Ertech Simulation & Game Technologies, Istanbul, employee
www.ertsimtech.com
2009 - Mater Design, Copenhagen, Design intern
2009 - Copenhagen Design Week, Voluntary design works
wwww.materdesign.com
in order to enhance the inter-disciplinary practice based
skills which is crucial for my studies at Konstfack.
In my spare time, reading on art & design theories,
philosophy, practicing technology, visual & audio arts,
music, biking in Stockholm and seeking for the unprecedented. Will start my MFA thesis project on experience
of devotion; the rhythmic sequence of sound and body
movements, contextually within the spheres of religious/spiritual rituals and contemporary club culture.
www.copenhagendesignweek.dk
Having lived in several countries such as US, Denmark,
2010 - IPPO, Intercultural Project Platform, active member
wwww.ippo-hfg.com
Offenbach, Istanbul, Rio, Jerusalem (since: 2007)
Greece, Sweden and Turkey, and traveled quite extensively especially in Middle East; have an ever intriguing
attention on inter-cultural sensibility and a large interest in inter-disciplinary approaches to problem solving
Technical Skills:
Adobe Series (Indesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver), Skitch
MAXON Cinema 4D, Autodesk 3Ds Max, Rhinoceros
Html, CSS, PHP, Javascript (Self-learning)
Graphic Design, Illustration & Print
3D Modeling and Visual renders
Web Design & Development
as it is of my study at Konstfack at Interdisciplinary
Studies department.
2010-2011 Works
(Recent Design Work other than at Konstfack)
- The Immaterialized Environment, Graduation Project
- Mater Design, Copenhagen
- Emedya Communications & Web Design
- Cherrigami Cafe Concept, Nisantasi
- Graphics / Web / Information Architecture
- Co2penhagen Festival
Pre-2010 Ind. Design Portfolio
(Preserved in respect to former mindset)
- Curriculum Vitae, early 2010
- Sebil, 2008
- Bathroom Project, 2009
- Kettle for All, 2007
- Transformations Divine sofa, 2008
- Mainland & Islands, 2009
- Studia Workplaces, 2007
Experience Design Portfolio
(Works done at Konstfack - 2010/2011)
- Pressure Studios - 1st month Intense Experimental Group Practices
- CHARTER 10 - Nobel Peace Prize After Party, Nobel Night Cap
- Extreme Stimulation - Future Experience of OPERA
Guidance Bar
- Play Studio - Presentation of Gecekondu project
Project
Name
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
q
fLinks
CONTENTS (hyperlinked)
built to intensify
human-to-human interaction
emin durak’s bsc graduation
project
Immaterialized
Environment
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Logo
An outdoor, marketing environment developed
for Sony. Alternatively such public usage for any
cultural activites are reinforced to the concept. At
this picture, provided an outdoor football field.
Made of PE sheets and works with air compressor.
stand
attendants
Immaterialized
Environment
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
photo
shooters
photo
viewers
football
players
1
Stuff taken out of the car
2
Edges replaced at precise distances
3
Sheets attached onto the pipes
4
Compressor get worked
5
Environment ready to accommodate
The shown images are visual guidance of how
to set up the product in a real environment
developed in accordance with visual design
principles as well as product’s special attributes
in consideration.
Immaterialized
Environment
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Setting up
“The need for flexibility, in the nomadic lifestyle, coupled
with a much more open relationship with the environment
results in a practice and dwelling that is adaptable, open to
invention and more integrated with nature.”
‘Living in Motion’, Vitra Design Museum, 2002, p.171
Immaterialized
Environment
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Concept visual
Some marketing renders and concept I developed
for Mater during my internship in Copenhagen.
Mater
Design
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Marketing render
I have taken this photograph together
with many others, on my task to design
and develop Mater’s Reference Catalogue.
Check it at: www.materdesign.com
Mater
Design
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Reference Catalogue
This is the diagram of the INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
of the renewed website of Emre Arolat Architects, one of
the leading architecture offices in Turkey, developed my
me during my work at Emedya. The website was design
and developed by the team that I was a part of and the its
architecture has been fully designed by me in guidance of
Gökhan Karakuş.
Emedya
Emre Arolat
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Information Architecture
In 2010 summer, together with my former employer and teacher Gökhan Karakuş
and architect Selva Gürdoğan, we have organized a workshop in Istanbul at a
very historical area in Old Town. During then, we have enforced to first analyze
the formgiving technics of Medieval Islamic Era, and then had applied them collaboratively with improvisation technics. Both 2D & 3D mock-ups were created.
Results were explicated later on, and were quite remarkable.
Emedya
Workshop
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Medieval Islamic Forms
Above is sample pictures of a catalogue that I have designed for the famous
Turkish tiles called “Iznik Çinileri”. It has very unique way of crafting and have
been one of the most classical handcrafts that has succesfully implemented into
contemporary design world.
View the catalogue here, and visit: www.iznik.com
Emedya
Iznik
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Catalogue & Website
l CHERRY TREE
l ORIGAMI
MODERN APPROACH
to JAPANESE CULTURE
In the area called Nisantasi, there has been offered to design a concept
proposal for the restaurant that was discontent by the owner due to
sales. After some research, some concept inspired of Japanese culture,
integrated into modern lifestyle and aimed at neighborhood’s young
population market audience, was introduced as a design proposal. At
this project, main principle was integrating the color norm well to fabrics and all range of interior design matters.
Cherrigami
Cafe
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Interior Concept
Sample of the website view that we designed with the team at Emedya last year.
www.emrearolat.com
Sample of a website that we’re currently designing with a friend as freelance.
(on development)
It is an e-commerce company specialized on trading VVS products in Sweden.
vvshande.w01.winhost.com
DMMS is an initiative organization of KTH, the Royal Institute of Technology,
Sweden. I designed the website and the logo.
www.dmms.se
Gecekondu is the project I did with my friend and the website is fully developed by me.
www.gecekondu.eu
GLM
Glömmingregränds
Miljövård HB
sedan 1972
logo only
That’s a logo I’ve designed for a Cleaning Company in Stockholm.
Samples of
Some Works
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Website & Logo
CO2PENHAGEN is the world’s first music
Dress up your bike for:
Giv din cykel skør kulør til:
and art
festival
on renewCO2PENHAGEN
is the
world’srunning
first musicentirely
and art festival
running entirely
renewable
energy produced
locally
ableonenergy
produced
locally on
the
on the festival site.
festi-
val site.
At CO2PENHAGEN the newest climate technology have
Atcreate
CO2PENHAGEN
the experiences
newest climate
been used to
music, art and unique
without causing
climate change.
technology
have been
used to create mu-
sic, art and unique experiences - without
causing climate change.
DJ’ing
DJ’ing
Cool prizes
Fede præmier
Coastal ride
Konkurrencer
Competitions
Cykeltur med Havudsigt
Free organic breakfast
Gratis økologisk morgenmad
Riding from CPH to DTU, Lyngby
I voluntarily designed these flyers for
C02penhagen CycleParade which was held
at the beginning day of the festival from
Copenhagen to DTU, Lyndby where the
festival was located.
Fra KBH til DTU, Lyngby
5. September 10:00 @ Kgs. Nytorv
5. September 10:00
visit: www.co2penhagen.com
I voluntarily designed these flyers for Co2penhagen CycleParade which was held at the beginning day of the festival from
Copenhagen to DTU, Lyndby where the festival was located.
Co2penhagen
Festival
Post-2010
Pre-2010
Exp. Design
Graduation
Mater
Emedya
Cherrigami
Web
fLinks
Volunteer Work
Istanbul City
Workshop
fLinks
Emin Durak & Irem Cobanoglu
e10durak@gmail.com
PROPOSED ISTANBUL INTERACTIVE PUBLIC BUS MAP
Buses will also be painted of the color of the route
that they follow, so that it will be easy for passengers
to pick a random bus passing by their destination
via only recognizing the color of route from the bus.
MOST FREQUENTLY USED ROUTES
Emin Durak & Irem Cobanoglu
e10durak@gmail.com
Istanbul City
Workshop
fLinks
workshop with Roberley Bell at ITU
Independent
SWISS DEMO RA Y :
by emin durak
Swiss
Democracy
fLinks
Cartoon
From now on, you’ll be viewing pre-2010 Industrial Portfolio,
and then Experience Design one.
They will have a different layout than the previous one.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Philosophy
Education and Design related Works
2001 – 2004
Enrolled at Mersin & Nigde (transferred) Science High School, Mersin / Nigde, Turkey
Design shall not be compartmentalized from the other aspects of
intellect.
It shall be taken in account of ‘Whole’ or ‘Unity’ of Universe..
2004 – 2010
Istanbul Technical University, Industrial Product Design, Istanbul, Turkey
Projects collaborated with designer Aziz Sarıyer and companies; Sıseecam, Burotime, Özlem Aydınlatma
www.design.itu.edu.tr
2008 – 2009
Exchange student at University of the Aegean, Products & Systems Design Engineering, Ermoupolis, Greece
e10durak@gmail.com
www.syros.aegean.gr
2009 summer
Intense Internship at Mater Design, Copenhagen, Denmark. Involvement in various graphic and other media design such as catalogs, labels etc.
As well as involvement in critical analysis for Product Development assistance in exhibition, fairs, retail installations etc.
www.materdesign.com
2009 summer
Voluntary works & workshops held for the installations and exhibitions held for the Copenhagen Design Week in Copenhagen
www.copenhagendesignweek.dk
2009 summer
Voluntary works for the festival Co2penhagen, Lyngby, Denmark. CO2PENHAGEN is the world’s first music and art festival running entirely on
renewable energy produced locally on the festival site.
www.co2penhagen.com
2009 – …
Working for the Cinema 3D Simulation and Game Technologies Company Ertech, for various design related works such as website, catalog,
products design and animation production, as well as involvement in creating Brand Identity and New Product Development
www.ertsimtech.com
2007 - …
Member of an Intercultural Project Platform – IPPO, based in Offenbach, Germany, collaborating with Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design, Jerusalem,
Israel and Escola Superior de Desenho Industrial. Following the projects ‘Taxi’, ‘Reflecting Waters’ & ‘Build or Die; Constructing Survival’
www.ippo-hfg.org
Working Experiences not related to Design
Key words:
2009 July
Voluntary work for the world’s well-known music festival Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
diversity
transparency
cultures
open-mindedness
faith
insistence
reflection
metaphor
oneness
walking
chaos
intellect
interactive
social
2008 May
Formula-1 Grand Prix Istanbul, working as supervisor
2007 summer
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, California, US. The fine dining restaurant Californian – Food & Beverage supervisor
2005 summer
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Dana Point, California, US Supervising attendance with an intense human relations training program
2005 summer
St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort, Monarch Beach, California, US. Beach attendant at the private bay club Monarch Bay Club
English, Turkish
Greek
Excellent Skills
Computer Skills
Hobbies & Interests
Maxon Cinema 4D, Rhinoceros, 3DS Max
3D modeling & animation softwares
thinking & walking, travelling, middle east, living abroad for enlarging perspective, languages
and the way people transform them throughout
time, getting to know other cultures, reading,
football, simulacra, live music, music, music...
Communicational
Danish, French , Arabic Elementary
Adobe Photoshop - Indesign - Illustrator, Skitch
graphic design softwares
My near past and future is directed by throwing the tentacles of my
mind into various aspects of intellect. I like to apply religious-art in
seating design in order to make one ‘think’, or present a different
way of social life with conceptually developed sofa, or inspire of a
bio-luminescent sea animal in lighting design in order to reflect the
joy of existence - from the very deep of nature into the technology at
the street.
In this case, I find myself working more on social-environmental and
predominantly cultural development projects in the future; in order
to build a better and more beautifully functioning sustainability of
products & systems and innovatively more provident solutions for energy sources, probably with contribution of politics, since the world
still facing globally forged economical, environmental and humanistic
crisis.
Perspective
2007 summer
Laguna Beach Festival of Arts – Pageant of the Masters, Art Festival located in Laguna Beach, California, working as assistant for coordination of
dining and restaurant organization at Tivoli Too! Restaurant
Language Skills
Technology has shaped the human life, almost more than how much
human shaped technology, in every aspect since he existed. It has
been a huge evolution developed in contribution of all civilizations
within a circulation. No single technological product belongs %100
to no single being or no single society.
I was born in a small town Nigde-Turkey, located in well known - Hellenic ancient city called Cappadocia. It should be due to my father’s
job-being bus driver through cities in the whole country; that I’ve
always been extremely interested in traveling. In consequences of
this restlessness, I’ve lived in California for 8 months, in Greece for
1 year, in Copenhagen for 4 months and traveled around America,
Europe, Turkey and Middle East which gave me a lot; especially after
waiting in the huge lines of every Consulate for numerous times as a
consequence of an inevitable destiny of having a Turkish Passport.
Living in a such city as Istanbul, makes your 1 day as fulfilled as 5
days of living in another city. You unconsciously become updated
very hectically that you don’t even notice how much you are lost in
this chaos called ‘civilization’. Thus, expanding my perspective to
gain more inter-cultural sensibility have been both the goal and the
process of my life, by being experienced of the supernaturally sociocultural status of Istanbul.
photos: Mie Hesselager Olsen
SEBIL
‘Sebil’ means “Public Fountain; Free Distribution of Water” in turkish language
Concept
Creating collectivist habitats out of waste materials for similarage, similar-jobbed people and ability to spend time for individual
interests, while sharing an information exchange environment and
remaining in such collective atmosphere.
Side picture is a “Bread Cart” of some Turkish men who create their jobs
by collecting waste materials from streets of Istanbul for some factories’
recycle departments in order to gain their living, and they are not only not
appreciated; but also impeded by the Turkish Government who do not offer any systematical solution for recycling of any waste material.
Project was processed along with the ‘Contemporary Furniture Design’ class at ITU, and I decided that there needed to be some
transformation essentially done about the demanding mentality of consumers and the way contemporary furniture industry proposes solutions for daily usage objects.
Thanks to project consultant Dr. Layika Ney Ece Arıburun at ITU for her motivating efforts and the Logistics Manager Murat Hedilli at
IDAS for understanding the concept and providing material supply.
supported by:
SEBIL
‘Sebil’ means “Public Fountain; Free Distribution of Water” in turkish language
These pictures were taken during the research and the procedure of
building the sofa. It was very interesting to get to know of the lives of
those guys are who turned theor jobs into a massive contribution to the
environment.
The sofa, whose photos are in the next board, was built at home out of cotton-mat covering quilted-bed pieces and stiching the
edges. All the materials were picked up from a bed factory in Istanbul. It was meant to be a manifest to big consumption based
manufacture mentality of seating design.
supported by:
SEBIL
‘Sebil’ means “Public Fountain; Free Distribution of Water” in turkish language
Concept
Creating collectivist habitats out of waste materials for similarage, similar-jobbed people and ability to spend time for individual
interests, while sharing an information exchange environment and
remaining in such collective atmosphere.
With this sofa, there is a lifetyle offered. Sebil is not the one immediately impressive, it is the one makes you love more during the
usage.
Ablility to be together with friends, even during the time spent for individual interests is one of the prior aims of the design. It
consists out of 3 seating parts and a cushion. The geometrical varieties will train your creativity skills in discovering new ways of
seating at home.
Sebil offers different seating positions and supports all the social activities you can do at home. The cushion you can see at the
side picture lets you sit down and lay on the sofa. Sitting down close to floor is an eastern way which makes one feel safer and
more chill.
supported by:
bathroom
of the futurE
Concept
When ‘design’ is the question regarding the ‘future’; there are as
many ecological problems and catastrophes expected, as many fascinating technological products predicted to appear.
In this case, combining the solution for the major Eco-System
and the convenient luxury becomes the priority of designing the
bathroom of future. A self-sustaining energy system operates the
filtering and heating of the water used in the whole house via solar
electric generating panels.
It is intended to provide a bathroom which could also be used as
a lounge with side bars acrossing the view of the town. Also, the
power of natural stones and music through water will maintain a
smooth role for the holistic health to human beings.
Whole platform where bathtub and the shower are all located is actually placed on a balcony coated with glass all over the 4 surfaces around.
Water is filtered and heated in pipes and released through the 2 layers of glass in the middle. The bar makes it cozy to have a drink a cup of
coffee in the morning or a glass of wine after the bath- providing the ecologically maintained convenience .
joined to:
bathroom
of the futurE
Fertility System
filtering used water
Double Layered Glass
releasing cleaned water
Self-sustaining energy system operates the filtering and heating of
the water used in the whole house. It is intended to provide a bathroom which could also be used as a lounge with side bars acrossing
the view of the town.
torus shower
efficient use of water
Wooden Bathtub proposed for
energy saving during heating
View of the ‘Fertility System’ from outside. And one of the many product designs for the bathroom of future -’Pebbled Sink’, just like the ‘Pebbled
Bathtub’. They are also located on marble side bars due to the healing gravity power of marble which is believed to be one of the most essential
stones on earth.
joined to:
kettle for
ALL
Concept
“We can not understand the individual, whether living thing or artifact, without understanding the network system of which the individual is a part.”
Designer’s Atlas of Sustainability, p.52, Ann Thorpe
Besides the main principles of Universal Design, this kettle is designed in order to supply more energy saving. By boiling only
as much water as needed at once, there will be more electric and
water saved to help sustainability. Just imagine the ammount of
water in common 2 lt kettles reboiled again numerous times everytime somebody wants to drink coffee; and then probably thrown
away into sink at the end of the day.
With the maintained modularity, it is possible to use one
cup as an individual. For collective usage (office, dorm
etc.) connecting units together is the way out.
Electric adapter in each unit
providing adjustment of
received electric.
Kettle for All is aimed to expand the individuals’ freedom space in such collective living places as dormitories and offices etc. Each
part not only works as a kettle, but also functions as a cup to drink from. Individuals will not require another cup for ‘to-go’ purposes either, because cups are double layered of steel and coated with heat isolating elastic material to keep drinks warm for long time.
kettle for
ALL
7 Principles of Universal Design
1- Equality
2- Flexibility
3- Simplicity and Intuitiveness
4- Tolerance for Error
5- Perceptive information
6- Low Phyiscal Effort
7- Enough Size and space
different numbers available
1 unit
connecting units to each other
People with disabilities will also be included in this net of usage without the common problems faced at normal kettles.
transformations
DIVINE
lounge sofa
Concept
“... He brings forth the living from the dead, and brings forth the
dead from the living, and He revives the earth after its death. And
even so will you be brought forth. He it is who produces creation,
then reproduces it again, and it is easier for him in your understanding...”
Qur’an, Rum 19-27
“... Destruction leads to very rough road but it also breeds creation...”
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
I was inspired of this passage when I was once reading Qur’an during the project. I think all divine sources -from Hinduism doctrines
to Kabala scripts- have invaluable explanations combining rationality
with faith. It’s just sung by Anthony Kiedis as well; the mystery of
life sometimes not hidden by any wise channel. We just need to get
out of the box and listen to what is ‘meant’ to say without its dogmatic aspect.
This passage made me think of ‘Transformations’ which we can see
everywhere in the nature and apply into everyday objects metaphorically.
sample of one modular unit
another way of combining parts.
This sofa is designed for art galleries or big indoor complexes such as hotels and shopping centers, with the combination of all 4
parts to be used to provide the essential look and function. Also it can very well be used as house or office furniture by having only 1
or 2 of the parts used in a slightly tinier room. It is made of fiberglass skeleton and covered with velvet upon foam.
Its prior specialty is providing all seating directions with only 1 modular, transforming complexity.
supported by:
Concept
Inspired of the assorted lands of Greece.
Also a typical, collectivist character of Greek culture, combined
with the unpredicted behaviors by the Mediterranean atmosphere.
Dias
mainland &
i.s.l.a.n.d.s
coffee . tables
Everywhere in the house - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom; a side table or stool always needed. Or anytime hosting a gathering in the
living room, service/side tables (islands) will be just ready.
There are 2 products designed for alternative usage:
Dias & Ira. the Classic and the Modern.
Dias: Upper surface glass, lower surface lacquered MDF, bases steel
published by:
Concept
Inspired of the assorted lands of Greece.
Also a typical, collectivist character of Greek culture, combined
with the unpredicted behaviors by the Mediterranean atmosphere.
Ira
mainland &
i.s.l.a.n.d.s
coffee . tables
Everywhere in the house - kitchen, bathroom, bedroom; a side table or stool always needed. Or anytime hosting a gathering in the
living room, service/side tables (islands) will be just ready.
Ira: White lacquered massive aluminum or chrome.
published by:
STUDIA
WORKPLACES
Concept
presentation board
dividing boards
Studio Workplace
Implementing studio workplaces for students,
for developing projects that need both indiviual and
collective focus to the field of study.
The design must have proposed solutions for:
- Individual concentration
- Collective information exchange
- Presentation
- Mobility
- Transparency
- Simplicity
- Affordability
Few of us use really care about the studying environment
while being students. There are many conditions that
affect our performance during studies which are
actually, fundamentally important norms. There shall
be more attention applied into student workplaces at
open form
closed form
schools and universities. This table product and system
proposes solutions for above mentioned problems.
STUDIA
Whole parts that sustain the table are made of lacquered Mdf and the parts that are integrating into the system can be
made of various acrylic materials especially pleksiglass or fibercarbon.
WORKPLACES
STUDIA
WORKPLACES
The separative planes could divide one persona from another by
sliding up, whereas it could also connect members of
workteams by sliding the planes down during the process. This
ability will provide an efficient information exchange
co-ordination between the partners.
It could also supply presenatation environment by moving platforms in the indoor environment.
collective team work
The separative planes could divide one persona from another by sliding up, whereas it could also connect members of workteams
by sliding the planes down during the process. This ability will provide an efficient information exchange co-ordination between
the partners.
It could also supply presenatation environment by moving platforms in the indoor environment.
STUDIA
WORKPLACES
GRAPHICS
Mater was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2006 with a strong
vision to create timeless and beautiful design based on an ethical business strategy. Mater combines exclusive high end home accessories
with working methods that support people, local craft traditions and the
environment.
Find out more on:
www.materdesign.com
“the dome lamp, inspired by the phases of the moon and its
contrast between light and shadow.“
todd bracher
I completed 3 months of intense internship at Mater Design implementing various types of work, mostly graphic and other visual
design: todd bracher /us
material: partly recycled aluminum
origin: handmade in denmark
media designs such as labels, catalogs, photo shooting etc.
[ ] black
[ ] white
dome lamp 40 cm.
type no. 00301 – 00302
240 V~ MAX 2 x 60 watt
socket e27
bulbs not included
www.materdesign.com
Label of Dome Lamp, the award
Below - The etichet desinged as a sample for Mater. All the photos
winning (Wallpaper) table lamp from the
also were taken by me. Some of them were captured during the
American designer Todd Bracher produced by
Copenhagen Design week in August/September.
Mater. The label was designed by me during
the internship program at Mater Design.
GRAPHICS
This is a sample page from the Mater Products Catalogue which was also
designed by me. You can see at:
www.materdesign.com
GRAPHICS
mater is the home accessories brand that makes corporate
social responsibility timeless and alluring to consumers all
over the world.
mater – latin for mother – combines exclusive
high end home accessories with working methods that
support people, local craft traditions and the environment.
www.materdesign.com
I designed various catalogues which include developing strategies and vision integrated along with Mater’s Corporate Identity and
values. Especially this reference catalogue for which I did photo shooting as well at unique restaurant - Kodbyens in Copenhagen
where Mater stools are presented and used.
GRAPHICS
SWISS DEMO RACY :
by emin durak
This cartoon was sketched by me about the law recently happened in Switzerland. It is meant to start a discussion of questionaires rather than stating a political view. Also there seems to be some irony established by
banning a visually ‘unwanted’ item by using ‘democracy’. I wanted to question the facts and view points.
“Minarets.
What’s its definition and function? Would it really refer to being a symbol of Islam? Or rather was it necessary during the old ages in order to inform the public audience for praying, providing a higher platform for attendant to shout the melodic invitation. So, would it be not only unnecessary; but also impeding to the welfare of an inter-religious environment now, since it includes an auditory sensory called
‘ezan’. Does it have any visual interaction leading public to the mosque for praying? Even in Turkey, a muslim dominated country, how often the usage of minarets, even the mosques are?
Over all, what kind of contemporary message does it implement, in a respectively Western environment? As referred to being a symbol; the probability that it causes a negative perception due to the widespread Islamophobia emerged tremendously after 9/11, is that much considerably cognitive effect? Does it really implement that much of danger, or it was just succesfully conveyed in public that it does?
If that is right, cultural diversity of perception of interactive messages and their certain dependence on circumstances is inevitable. As well as, could it be claimed thatit is possible to use the power of democracy against democracy itself for some’s favor and is it really that easy to manipulate people’s brains via an election powered by mass media and provocative posters leaving out the simulated message
with a hypo-ethical manner? Then can we call that democracy; ‘so called democracy’? ...’
Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts & Design
`
Emin Durak
Experience Design 1st year Portfolio
Konstfack
The University College of Arts Crafts & Design
Stockholm, Sweden
emin.durak@student.konstfack.se
+46 736 498 974
Projects:
Pressure Studios
Charter 10 _nobel
The Strange Splendor _opera
Dérive _play
PROJECT NAME IS HERE
Pressure Studios
I wish there was an efficient way that I can do to present Pressure
Studios without showing visual media. They were truly useful and
delicate as a more than smooth introduction to EDG. Doing things
instinctively and following unconventional methods I think is valuable and productive.
The technics have been used such as Experience Prototyping & Design Thinking, should be well elaborated. They were most definitely
bringing a very wide perspective to a student coming from a conventional discipline; either art, design or science. Nevertheless the
capacity of our faculty and students, I believe, is capable for bringing
about even better and more efficient methods per se than those proposed. Those were made for that conventional disciplines to integrate
the experience of designing everyday life by some agencies. But, considering what we have been through EDG, couldn’t be more to it?
Pressure Studios
CHARTER 10 _nobel
underneath the stars...
CHARTER 10 _nobel
CHARTER 10
CHARTER 10 _nobel
In 1977, in Czechoslavakia, Václav Havel, together with some other intellectuals; declared a manifesto against the
communist government whom was claimed to abuse human rights in the country. People who signed the contract
were very few then, and they faced serious retaliations, including imprisonments as Havel also had. The manifest
was called “Charter 77”.
Havel later became the first president of Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which started with a
non-violent student demonstration.
Whereas the same year, in another part of the world - Beijing, another student demonstration came to action in
Tiananmen Square which started to be peaceful, but didn’t end so. It was stamped in history harshly as massacre...
In 2008, Liu Xiaobo declared a manifesto called “Charter 08” inspiring of the Charter 77 which is both the reason
of the condemnation to eleven years of his imprisonment by Chinese Judiciary in 2009 and being rewarded the
Nobel Peace Prize by the Nobel Peace Prize Committee attained by Norwegian Parliament in 2010. It’s so far been
controversial, no less than other previous prizes.
CHARTER 10 _nobel
Charter 10 is an inclusive, participatory
performance that lasts for approximately 20
minutes, a sample of which was performed
during the Nobel Night Cap, the Nobel
Prize Afterparty, at Handelshögskolan in
Stockholm on December 10th, 2010.
CHARTER 10 _nobel
It is ought to bring about a micro-public
debate on what ones think of the political
concepts that they are governed through,
and how they interpret those to a random
audience. Meant to turn spectators of mass
global society into spectacles of their own
knowledge within a particular framework.
CHARTER 10 _nobel
Analysis of Work
China, with its amazing history, is left out to exercise governance under one single system of ‘so-called’ communism.
It is even a practice as more of a ‘belief’ than a procedure
which further requires ones to doubtlessly believe in it, a
need for mankind, under an authority of a government that
is officially atheist(1). It is interesting how such Marxist
theory all the way from Europe could possibly become the
foremost prior governance system of the demographically
biggest country in the world. This fact alone demonstrates
borders within and inbetween cultures, that are both severe
and transparent at the same time, in the world where multiculturality is being discussed which is a very broadly and
ambiguously used term. These cultural differences are transitively transparent and have almost no existential feature
that it has due to its ambiguity. In other words, China under
impact of such ideology which was long before adopted
from West, can not claim to propose such respect for not intriguing its internal issues due to inevitability of such situation considering the hyper-transitivity of artifacts (material or
immaterial - goods or ideologies) in the world we’re living
in. Nevertheless, the prize itself is a strong subject of controversy for serving internal and external powers’ interests
other than its essential, objective goal devoted to Nobel’s
explanation: “...The person who shall have done the most
or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the
abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation
and spreading of peace congresses...”(2). What does that really mean? Fredrik Heffermehl, a Norwegian jurist, has even
written a book called “Nobels Vilje” (Nobel’s will 2008) in
which he argues that Nobel Committee is in breach of the
will and testament of Alfred Nobel by rewarding prizes ‘illegally’ over half of the times since 1946 (3).
CHARTER 10 _nobel
In this context, the prize being sequentially handed to Obama and to Xiaobo, or
the US president and a Chinese prisoner-dissident, matters. First of all there’s an
enormous fear of threat within US against their biggest labourer - China. It has
been even a topic of some political campaigns; that China has been forecasted
as the “Global Power of the World within 20 years after and over the US” in
order to create fear among US citizens. In a video, which is most likely created
by Republican Party members against Obama’s social reforms, a scenario of a
University lecture in China in 20 years is depicted. The ‘Evil Chinese Professor’
helds a speech about the reasons of failures of the biggest empires in the history
and the same point for all of them is “Turning their back on the principles that
made them great”; negatively criticizing the socially emphasized reforms in US
that has recently led by Obama Administration. It is also the democrats using the
China threat in their ads by showing a former republican. In other words, what
made America is its extremely liberal economic governance; remaining state of
tax reduction to embrace free entrepreneurs. It is not clear that there will possibly be such jeopardy of Obama’s policy for increasing taxes within US; as high
taxes would lead countries’ big corporations, so as society as their employees, to
a financial doom and bankruptcy resulting with a complete collapse of the country. Nevertheless, from the video, it is absolutely clear that China with its growing
economy and successful international relations is not only the major threat to the
monopoly global power of US; but also is the protagonist in this global-political
game. Nonetheless, what does Norway have to do with it? …............ Thus, it
wouldn’t be too much of sensation to investigate the backdoor paradigms behind
the “sacred” Nobel Prize. Furthermore Heffermehl is not the only Norwegian
opponent towards his government’s (or the Nobel Committee’s who is attained
by the Parliament) international policies. Morten Traavik, a Norwegian artist who
made the sensational “Beauty Contest” in Africa, has blamed Norwegian military for being “double-faced” and acting virtuelessly less honest than even North
Korean Army, because his piece “Body Armour” was removed from military museum during a visit held by Vladimir Putin, the Russian President. His interview
goes further and he even adds that Norwegian military carries discomfort, guilt
and shame for being involved in war, weapons and combat (6).
Speculating the Spectacle
The issue is, indeed, beyond. Actually neither prize, nor
Alfred comes from Norway. During his time Norway was an
autonomous part of Sweden and he wished, and believed,
for that union to remain. That’s why he indeed decided that
democratically it would be more right for the minor government to decide on the prize winner, as him being from
Swedish origin. Paradoxically, the union didn’t last long following his death.
Whatever the issue is regarding the vision of Norwegian
Nobel Committee, it wouldn’t be too much of a polemic to
deduce that NNC has a strategically more favorable attitude towards appreciation of US foreign affairs than China’s
internal issues for some reason, which shall be taken into a
sensational consideration and an ethical debate; counting
on last two years’ prizes and de facto effects of one of the
leaurate’s cross-continental sentimental practices upon his
intriguing promises towards “International Peace”, following few weeks after the prize ceremony. Tariq Ali’s slightly
demagogic statements has a respective value in this case
that can not be underestimated (7).
CHARTER 10 _nobel
Charter 08. It is the reason Liu Xiaobo is sentenced to remain in Chinese prison
for 11 years, as well as the reason for Nobel Committee to award him, speculatively the most prestigious prize in the world. But what is Charter 08? It is a
manifest that was held in 2008 by Liu Xiaobo and his fellows in order to promote
human rights in China. It has demanded some political reforms to the Chinese
government. It was denied harshly. During his speech that was held in the court
during the trial before the last judgement, he was quite innocently asserting that
“He does not hate noone”; as, subjectively interpreted, trying to please the judiciary not to convict him, before the decision was made. It is interesting to note
that the very same speech was held during the prize ceremony in Oslo by the
Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann, one of Bergman’s favourite picks, as the conventional Nobel lecture that is given by the leaureate each year traditionally. It
is crucial to note that it was the very second time in the history of Nobel Prize
that leaurate could neither participate, nor send a representative to the ceremony,
after the very incident during the time of Nazi-Germany; of the dissident and the
Nobel Prize leaureate Carl Von Ossietzky, who was sentenced to life in prison,
tortured and left to death (8).
Charter 08 took its name from the Charter 77 - the Czechoslavakian manifest
eventually resulted with the Velvet Revolution and collapse of the communist
regime in the region in 1989. It, Charter 08, comprises of nineteen demands
consisting usually of political concepts that are either necessary or optional for
a democratic governance. Those concepts are in systems of more or less all the
western democracies (western in this case refer a broadly wider area than common understanding of it - if there’s any...). Nonetheless, how many of us actually
know about those theories, let alone confirm them and be ruled by them? This
question is the question that gave birth to this project.
Amending the Constitution. Separation of powers. Legislative democracy. An independent judiciary. Public control
of public servants. Guarantee of human rights. Election
of public officials. Rural–urban equality. Freedom of association. Freedom of assembly. Freedom of expression.
Freedom of religion. Civic education. Protection of private
property. Financial and tax reform. Social security. Protection of the environment. A federated republic. Truth in
reconciliation. What do they mean?
It is ought to bring about a micro-public debate on what
ones think of the political concepts that they are governed
through, and how they interpret those to a random audience. Meant to turn spectators of mass global crowd into
spectacles of their own knowledge within a particular
framework. How do we happen to be governed by those
ideologies that we actually don’t really know about, besides the buzzing hegemony of “democracy”; let alone we
can decide to choose them.
CHARTER 10 _nobel
EXTREME
STIMULATION
EXPERIENCE OF OPERA
Strange Splendor _opera
an Experimental Opera
Strange Splendor _opera
Strange Splendor _opera
Strange Splendor _opera
THE STRANGE SPLENDOR
A Smooth Introduction of
Behind the Scene, and the Cyclic Timeline
“Everyday Routine” into “Transcendence”
It is the manifestation of not only the contemporary wo/
man; but also the timeless regard of interrelations within
him/her; both to his/her own self as individual, and the
very collective reflection of it. The dismal despair of his/
her peculiar needs that he can ever hardly find, but only
keep seeking for... The challenges that are made for, or
against that despair, which consequently brings him/her
at a juxtaposed state of devastated feelings; are jumping
from a daily endeavor to a cultic worship; from a routine
to a ritual.
Analysis of Scenario
Strange Splendor _opera
What was intended, at first, within this framework of
“Forecasting Future Experience of Opera through the
Life and Art of Hilma af Klint” is to highlight the emphasized aspect of Hilma af Klint’s “life” which shall <and
can> not be regarded differently than that of her “art”;
especially if we are here to inspire from. The resource
that she derived her inspirations from, quite contrary to
contemporary artists meanwhile, was very much of the
cult value that was held behind as credulously spiritual
realm which did not appear, at all, as a consequence of a
will for “showcasing” such artwork; but to have it ‘lived
through’ <to quote Bourdieau’s term>, as a reflection of
her existing mindset that did not care for exhibiting a
work of art, but in contrary; to experience it as a mindset. Endearingly, the realm of that of opera is not at all
different than a cult. It not only takes time to digest;
it mutates the taste of life of the beholder, turning the
everyday collection of daily practices, also the multiple
co-existence of artworks, into a cultic worship. In this
case, since art and life only reflects upon each other, the
future of life was depicted as a prediction including the
past and present, the prediction of past and analysis of
future, the common cycle of eternal present, by using
the form of Opera, at this project.
As it probably have been noticed, it is essential to note it here
that there is no linear timeline of the play, the Strange Splendor. It is a rotational cycle that goes around within the elements of it. The elements start with the crowd, the audience,
in a dark ambience around a little candle without vision <note
that there were no performers at the beginning each of whom
began by lighting their candles one by one> which refers to
seeking the meaning of existence as individual. Having no
sight, we are thrown into questioning our secrets let behind
our minds that we, in everyday life, rather ought to bare into
our subconscious. This instance could also be interpreted as
the moment of “birth” as the completely abstract mystery, or,
let’s say, the very process of sunrise signed by a cockcrow, just
as the candles being lightened. It continues one-by-one, because we all are born single and apart from each other, and
most probably different times.
Following the birth, candles being lightened, we tend to discover our own selves; meanwhile we start to engage our lives
with our environment. That’s why performers started singing
<as referring to their hobbies=abstract flows of our spirits> as
soon as they lightened their candles. Each of them were assigned a hobby and a routine. The routine, as following practice
to their hobbies, represents the everyday actions of boredom;
the million things that we do in our everyday life again and
again, without mostly even thinking if we’d like to do them.
Brushing hair, cooking, watching (and not watching but being
around) TV, playing computer games, eating nails, drinking
etc. And hobbies were also assigned, which were usually singing for many of the performers, except one that was dancing.
These routines seem to be completely apart from the hobbies at
first glance, which is depicted by performers one by one at the
first part of the performance by practicing them one by one.
Nevertheless, it is almost impossible for us to fully compartmentalize our routines from our hobbies even in our daily
lives; even when we are ought to do it, they co-exist together,
one complements another and they become by and of each
other at the end. Because the repetition and the rhythm indoctrinates us subconsciously for the sake of diffusing them
together. And we desperately need it - this daily indoctrinations.
The same thing goes for the transition state from individual
to collective conscious in society, and vice versa. We constantly switch in between the realm of individual existence
and co-existence with others. In other words, between our
little room, “the escape box” and public space which consequently follows by juxtapositions of one’s feelings whose
scale depends on the state of ones’ who are communicated.
The lovers approaching each other represents this feeling as
extreme correlation as a whole process of first hearing each
other on different floors; then to meeting in the stairs to hug
each other. Others, the other performers, also can not escape
from that realm because they are a part of the network. Their
emotional hype pointing out each other of lovers within a
gossipy attitude, which is sometimes jealousy, is also a sign
of this juxtapositions that we engage within everyday of our
lives; taking metro, walking at sidewalk, at a conference at
school, evening dinner with our roommate or surfing on
web. Finding little bit of joy within our boring routines. For
this reason, performers were told to gradually first mix their
routines into their own hobbies, then to interact with others to co-combine them within their practices, as expanding a network. Micro communities, followed by macro
communities in our lives, and the creation of “the common
sense”, the tyranny of a single standard of judgement, creation of cultures, etc... It is indeed very interesting to resemble the time we spent on internet linking ourselves from one
webpage to another without absolutely no 100% control,
Strange Splendor _opera
just as it was demonstrated by the performers randomly
interacting with each other along the process. This surfing
on web as us; modern wo/men, our each experience is not
only out of our own control, but also very unique to each
others’. In addition to the fact that our each next experience gradually shapes our further future and so eventually
“us”. This works in public just exactly as same as it does on
virtual web, internet.
What is followed by that is the festivity of celebration, of
love, the communal joy; that endeavors the community.
It was shown by Mozart’s classic combined with Egyptian
melodies which refer to the celebration of interactions,
just as a marriage. It was chosen to combine a culturally
far melody (to that of western context) combined with a
classic one to depict both the contemporary society and
the realm of diversity and co-existence (~also credits to
the very recent Egyptian Revolution!~). The choreography and performers dressing all white shirts depicts this
“celebration” that we have as a result of many interactions,
and today: the very “multicultural” one.
The following instance is an extreme result of over-communication. In other words, when we connect too much,
we become one. We become no different than each other.
Then the question comes along: “Why do we even connect?” It is like not connecting at all. It’s like Erasmus
student parties (European exchange student program),
students connecting to find out how not different they are
from each other in this modern world. How difficult it
was 2000 years ago to go to one village from a neighboring one is probably as difficult now to go to Hong Kong
from San Diego. As the sum of energy always remain
same; the difference in between those villages 2000 years
ago, is probably just as much as the difference between
Hong Kong and San Diego, now.
It ends up with the lack of diversity; the future of life, art, opera. Causing ones to seek value back in rites again, in need
of spiritual enchantment as consequence of obsolescence of
values. It seems like the technical capabilities of mechanical
and digital reproduction will doom us down regarding creativity in arts at the end, in contrast to what is usually believed.
There will be nothing more to add, just as how the performers
gradually expressed more and more monotonically rhythmical sound which ended up with a total, one single sound and
then, with the last breath, complete obsolescence. Finally, candles are snuffed.
Conductor, the “conservative” character, dies.
Representing the very essence of opera <which is not necessarily the conductor or composer itself; but more the “seeking
element” for the “essence” is depicted>.
The performers first connect with each other, become one.
Then they connect with music, the orchestra, and become
one. Then they connect with the audience at the end and they
all become one as a whole. Then there is no separation of audience and performance, there is no place difference. So, since
one exists with its opposites, then there’s no performance (or
performance is in every moment of our lives). Then there’s no
performance, there’s no art, but a ritualistic liturgy.
Opera dies.
Individuality as a Reflection to Collective Existence
Individual decision making is probably one of the most
critical, crucial rights of human. We are free as long as we
freely make decisions. Or are we actually? Aren’t almost all
our decisions based on the criteria that; what we execute,
both theoretically and practically, is a consequence of a
range of external - environmental factors around us; such
as the people, geography, culture, context. As well as ourselves. There comes another question: How much of “We”
is actually different than that of our environment? In this
age of massive technological, thus communicational impact; how much do we, individually, actually exist?
As it is one of the biggest rights of humans to be free individuals; yet it is also one of the hardest things to act “decisively”. It is also due to the fact that almost all the decisions
that we perform is a matter of external factors. Acting on
behalf, speaking theoretically but not necessarily practically by saying “acting”, is a function that must have an
<x>. This equation, in this context, <x> usually defines “us”
as the base being whereas the function defines the external
object, the environment, which modifies the variable: the
<x> such as: f(x) = 2x + 3. This is a basic, linear, logic explanation of a single function disregarding the fact that every
function is a consequence of another function. It is, indeed
not disregarding, because it always goes as f(x) = y and
continues to define another function as a consequence of
another. But we tend to dispute it. This could go forever in
a linear context.
Dérive _play
Within an algebraic equation, every domain ends up with a
range. x with y.
It has been the case that these equations are meant to be
symbolizing the status quo. Whereas it turned out to be
the norm that shapes status quo. It would be controversial
whether to be able to fully analyze the algorithms of Nature,
but surely there are more to dig in, as it is shown with Quantum Physics and Abstract Algebra.
Consequence (range,y) triumphs the cause (domain,x). Actions we do in an everyday society is a consequence of a
range of causes - which rarely is our own selves. The functions we were given at school were given to us to solve. We
didn’t get to pick which function we want to apply to x, it was
always f. But now, we are in the middle of range of functions
and we are “free” to pick one and each shows another direction counter-rotating around each other. The predictability in
high-scale is hard, in which case we will either let ourselves
be imposed and stuck by our environment, as most of us do,
or we will be dériveing around in search of finding our inner
selves and thus the Nature.
So we are in a network of unidentified domains and ranges.
We don’t know how/if the consequences will strike us to
know that we are just mere members of a huge network fulfilled and exists of billions and billions of elements, domains,
ranges and functions of which we are a part, conceiving a
complex algorithm that we are only a part of. Any doubt?
The Theory of Dérive by Guy Debord has been used
throughout the Play project as a part of my preliminary
mindset. The fact that I have been absent from most part of
the theory lectures due to the trip I made to Belgium for presenting papers at Fragile Conference; has affected the final
presentation of my work regarding the course.
Nevertheless, I believe how I and my friend Kuba presented
our papers in Belgium at Sint-Lucas University would certainly be a referral to the concept of Play project, since both
comprise of “Unconventionality” and playing with “Future
Probables & Improbables”.
Theory of the Dérive has also been employed during that
week of full productivity in Gent, Belgium.
Few pictures of the work I did in Belgium is located in upcoming slides. For more info and full presentation, please
visit: http://www.gecekondu.eu
Inspiring Passages:
⁃
“From a dérive point of view Cities have
psycho-geographical contours, with constant currents, fixed
points and vortexes that strongly discourage entry into or
exit from certain zones.
⁃
But the dérive includes both this letting-go
and its necessary contradiction: the domination of psychogeographical variations by the knowledge and calculation
of their possibilities. In this latter regard, ecological science
— despite the narrow social space to which it limits itself —
provides psychogeography with abundant data.
⁃
The objective passional terrain of the dérive
must be defined in accordance both with its own logic and
with its relations with social morphology.
⁃
We can say, then, that the randomness of a
dérive is fundamentally different from that of the stroll, but
also that the first psycho-geographical attractions discovered
by dérivers may tend to fixate them around new habitual
axes, to which they will constantly be drawn back
⁃
Our loose lifestyle and even certain amusements considered dubious that have always been enjoyed
among our entourage — slipping by night into houses
undergoing demolition, hitchhiking nonstop and without
destination through Paris during a transportation strike in
the name of adding to the confusion, wandering in subterranean catacombs forbidden to the public, etc. — are expressions of a more general sensibility which is no different from
that of the dérive. Written descriptions can be no more than
passwords to this great game.”
Guy Ernest Debord, “Theory of the Dérive”, Les Lèvres Nues, 1956
Dérive _play
Dérive _play
Dérive _play
Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts & Design
`
THANK YOU!
Emin Durak
Experience Design 1st year Portfolio
Konstfack
The University College of Arts Crafts & Design
Stockholm, Sweden
emin.durak@student.konstfack.se
+46 736 498 974
THANK YOU!