I AM AN INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPERIENCE DESIGNER.
I evolve with constant change.
Future / Speculations
These are projects and speculative works I'm currently developing and/or planning to realise in the near future.
ATLAS OF SUFFERING: A MAP OF PAIN AND GEOGRAPHY
People who are suffering because of a health conditions and the care they're able to receive vary greatly depending on the geographical locations people are at mostly because of the inequality of wealth, infrastructure, susceptibility to climate change related environmental disasters and social safety nets. So, each and every part or the world is experiencing suffering at various different levels. At the same time, being born results in suffering at some stage of life regardless of the geographical place of birth. Therefore, a higher birth-rate would result in a higher number of people who are going to experience suffering in the future. The variation may be observed on the intensity, duration and the stage of life when that suffering starts in relation to location.
This project aims to create a visual atlas of suffering to better display the relation between suffering and geography by the creation of actual data driven borders and/or the lack of them in some cases. Data regarding birthrates, percentage of the population who end up in the need of intensive care, level of pain that people in intensive care experience from their EEG readings would be visually generated on top of the geographical map of the world.
#speculativedesign #futureproject
Past
These are past projects and concepts I've developed while I was working in the yacht building industry.
BOAT HOTEL
This project is designed in search for a flexible and low-investment product and service model targeting the short-term rental tourism market. The concept is developed as a floating hotel room with contemporary and minimalistic design. All the services including a boat-taxi, water sports, room service, cleaning, shopping and smart automation are to be managed from the boat hotel mobile application. A service boat is to deliver the daily needs and cleaning service on a daily basis. This business model also allows a much flexible investment plan due to the low cost of capacity expansion.
#servicedesign #transportationdesign #experiencedesign #uxdesign #yachtdesign
50m SAILING YACHT TROY
Main goal of this project was to create coherent living spaces for the main saloon, sun-deck, the aft-cockpit and final finishing details of the interior in accordance with the sharp and strong visual language of the hull and the superstructure.
The existing design elements were analysed and key design features that can be implemented were noted. Angular patterns and geometric relations were studied. The living spaces of the sun-deck and the aft-cockpit were designed as an extension, an organic part of the existing structure of the vessel. Also the users’ relation and interaction with the water was aimed to be enhanced by always keeping a visual connection between people and the sea wherever they’re situated on the vessel.
#transportationdesign #yachtdesign
Present
These are current projects and concepts I developed and collaborated on recently.
Memo-re:
We are humans, therefore limited. We loose track of ourselves, of people around us, of our surroundings and as a consequence we loose track of our memories.
In order to keep track, the concept aims at collecting data about experiences and create visualizations that act as tokens of remembrance, data mirrors that reflect back memories.
Visually and auditorily sorted stacks of data act as ‘memory palaces’ that encompass clues and guides for rememberance.
#experiencedesign #uxdesign #datavisualization #uidesign
BIRKA ELIXIR
The goal of this project was to create a new brand for more environmentally friendly cleaning products and a retail experience that would go along with it to differentiate the company from its competitors in relation to changing market dynamics.
The end-products are designed to be prepared by the users by mixing the base product with additives, that are to be refilled on kiosks at various locations according to the instructions provided on the application. Both the packaging and the refill kiosks are formed to resemble chemistry lab equipments in order to enhance the users’ involvement in the process of creating the product. The kiosk locations and mixture recipes can be reached via an app designed for Elixir.
#experiencedesign #uxdesign #uidesign #branding #packaging
AMBROSIA: Food Sharing Ecosystem
The project aims to tackle the problem of food waste to let more people be able to reach food, to reduce people’s carbon footprints and to initiate dialog and stronger social connections among people in a food sharing ecosystem that allow people to share instead of throwing away in the context of future of food, waste and socialisation.
#speculativedesign #uxdesign #uidesign #futureoffood
People & Places
This is a personal project consisting of a collection images of people and places from different parts of the globe that inspire me.
Curriculum Vitae
Ekin Birol
Interdisciplinary Experience Designer
EDUCATION
2021 - Expected graduation date 2022
UNIVERSITY OF EUROPE FOR APPLIED SCIENCES - BERLIN
MASTER OF ARTS IN VISUAL AND EXPERIENCE DESIGN
2021
COURSE IN DESIGNING SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WITH AI
2009 - 2012
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT DESIGN GPA 3.69/4.00
"Automobile Personalization Strategies of Aftermarket Modification and Mass Customization"
2011
NABA - NUOVA ACCADEMIA DI BELLE ARTI MILANO
PRODUCT DESIGN WORKSHOP IN URBAN FURNITURE DESIGN
2010
SUMMER INTENSIVE COURSE IN DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
2005 - 2009
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN GPA 3.32/4.00
FULL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
2007
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS RECIPROCITY STUDENT BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DESIGN | GPA 3.52/4.00
2002 - 2005
WORK EXPERIENCE
OCTOBER 2017 - SEPTEMBER 2021
KEDRAI STUDIO
DESIGNER / SELF-EMPLOYED
Designed projects in different fields such as residential interiors, sailing and motor yachts and services. Prepared analyses and reports of service and workflow charts, 2 & 3 dimensional visuals for boatyards, other designers and general contractors. Worked on reinterpretation of traditional business models in search for uncharted fields of work.
OCTOBER 2015 - AUGUST 2021
ESENYACHT
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGER
Managed the design team and supervised the production department for yacht interior design projects. Prepared design briefs, mood-boards,design, purchasing and production reports, cost analyses and quotations for clients. Focused on spatial layouts, general arrangement plans, 3 dimensional visual representations of the projects, material, texture and lighting selections, coordination and integration of mechanical, electronic and service elements or living spaces.
MAY 2013 - SEPTEMBER 2015
SULTAN MARINE
PRODUCTION MANAGER & DESIGNER
Designed and managed the execution of user-specific living space projects in residential and marine environments. Focused on the spatial workflow, materials, touch points, separation of different services and their harmony.
DECEMBER 2012 - MAY 2013
TURKISH MILITARY FORCES
COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE
SEPTEMBER 2012 - NOVEMBER 2012
‘i-am’ ASSOCIATES ISTANBUL
UX DESIGN RESEARCH INTERN
Data gathering and analysis for the design process of user experience zones in Daikin’s flagship store in Istanbul.