‘Turkish Design’ became a book in Europe

Academics from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Fine Arts and Design have compiled the latest developments and current trends in design studies in Turkey into a new book. Published in English by a Dutch publishing house, the book titled, ‘Localizing Design Studies: Perspectives on Turkey’, is also available as an open-access digital publication. The book includes various fields such as fashion, interior architecture, biodesign, Turkish cinema, and stage design within the scope of IUE Graduate School Design Studies Program, highlighting the changes in design over the years.

RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ACCLAIM

Prepared by Prof. Dr. Deniz Hasırcı, Asst. Prof. Dr. Tuba Doğu, Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Avcı, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gözde Damla Turhan Haskara, and Aybüke Taşer—a Ph.D. candidate at Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium—the book has received significant international acclaim. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive studies focusing on design in Turkey, it has reached a broad audience in a short time. Meanwhile, efforts for new publications continue, with Res. Asst. Ali Rıza Bayrak joining the editorial team.

“DESIGN IS EVERYWHERE IN OUR LIVES”

Prof. Dr. Deniz Hasırcı, Head of IUE Graduate School Design Studies Program and a faculty member in Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, recalled that the University hosted the Design Studies Symposium in 2024 to enhance dialogue among designers.

Stating that they included presentations from the symposium, evaluations, and findings in the book, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “With the rapid advancement of technology, there has been a shift toward fast production, and evolving communication channels have brought major transformations in design. Well-designed products and services shape daily life, making it more efficient and convenient. Graduate research in design studies provides both theoretical and practical foundations for the field. With this in mind, we wanted to create a book that examines changes and developments in design studies, with graduate students and their advisors, focusing on Turkey while sharing interdisciplinary research with the world. Our design studies program at IUE has nearly a 20-year history, running parallel to similar programs worldwide.”

“WE RECEIVED A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK”

Noting that they received numerous positive responses both nationally and internationally, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “This book is a scientific and original work that reflects the reality of the past while shedding light on the future, documenting recent developments in design. Many professionals from different countries in the field of design reached out with feedback and well wishes, which made our team very happy. The book’s back cover features contributions from leading figures in design studies, Prof. Dr. Tevfik Balcıoğlu and Prof. Dr. John Woodham, who supported our efforts to advance design research in Turkey. After months of work, we are proud to have produced a respected international publication.”

“MORE PUBLICATIONS TO COME”

Prof. Dr. Hasırcı continued as follows: “The past three years, our symposium has become a tradition within our Design Studies Program. It attracts participants from different universities and international institutions. We aim to contribute to the academic literature with a focus on Turkey with a global perspective. Since written archives in our field are still limited and highly valuable, we strive to leave lasting contributions by summarizing each symposium with a book and an edited volume. Preparations for the 2025 symposium are already underway, and work on new books continues. We plan to share our future publications through IUE Press and other international collaborations across various platforms.”