2024 CHANGE is POWER DESIGN is CHANGE

As I have bought almost all the books of the authors I have been interested in in recent years, I collected all Neumeier's books that were in print and that I could access. Not enough, I started watching his videos. I remembered that my daughter Kapris said to me "you have become a complete stoker...". I guess I can be obsessive about books and authors. This obsession with collecting books by authors that interest me will make me create a mini private library in the future. I can feel it, it's exciting and invigorating.

Back to Neumeir; I would like to share that I find all his books on brand, design and creativity very useful. His succinct and concise narration is also very remarkable.

''Change is power. Design is change." has stayed with me ever since I read it. When I look at my 20-year design and branding adventure, I once again see how true this sentence is. 

Especially in ISTANBUL, a city located on two continents; I realize how rapid CHANGES in the dynamics of life, design and production have strengthened me and my brand.

DESIGN IS CHANGE. A new idea and product can change our lives, our living habits. 

We say and write these sentences comfortably, but how much of it can we put into our lives? 

I started to ask myself these questions frequently;

How do we perceive which design, especially in a city and culture stuck in purgatory? 

How is our emotional communication with the objects that surround us?  

How does our connection with the objects we choose and buy and our living habits change? 

Are we aware of the power of objects? 

I am increasing the questions about design, objects and change every day.

As the questions multiply, I try to find the answers and take the time to write them down. In this way, my perspective on the designs I have made and the new design projects I will do begins to change.

REDESIGN

I had the subject of redesign on my desk during the Covid era.

What will I redesign, my life, the objects I design and produce... what? 

During the Covid period, on one of the days when my Istanbul Store was closed, I came early and wrote REDESIGN on the shop shutter. 

This subject of redesigning has been circling around in me intensely for the last 3 years.

The questions about the city I live in, my work and the brand I created multiplied and multiplied.

20 years ago, I went back to the years when I established my design company. In the years when I created the ÖZLEM TUNA brand, I was the one who designer  and producer. Over time, as my brand grew and business increased, I wore the hat of the person who managed the design company and the brand. I took on the job of designing, managing, marketing and selling many jobs together.

After 20 years I realized that I want to be a maker again, I want to go back to the kitchen.

I want to produce the object I design one-to-one myself. Since childhood, the kitchen has been my special interest. I can live day and night in the kitchen of any kind of production.

I will produce the porcelain, silver gold and new materials that would be of interest to me.

During the year 2024, I will be sharing my new designs and the changes of my atelier.

Together with your loved ones; I wish you joyful days where you will be open to changes, empathize and embrace life and the cultures we are in.

Özlem Tuna

December 25, 2023. Tomtom. Istanbul