I’M DESIGN 2023: Rethinking Furniture Design

Taking part in I’M DESIGN 2023, one of Turkey’s most established sectoral design events, was a truly enriching and eye-opening experience for me as an industrial designer.

Organized annually by the İnegöl Furniture Industrialists Association (IMOS), the event combines talks, workshops, and site visits to raise awareness of the value of design in the furniture sector and support the creative development of young designers.

During the factory tour hosted by Starwood, I had the chance to observe MDF production processes up close. This technical insight helped me understand material not just as a surface or structure, but as an ecosystem of manufacturing, logistics, and transformation.

In one of the most meaningful parts of the workshop, we developed furniture solutions specifically for earthquake survivors—focusing on modularity, function, and mass production. It reminded me how design is not only about aesthetics, but about empathy, problem-solving, and social contribution.

I’M DESIGN changed the way I perceive materials and deepened my appreciation for responsible design thinking rooted in real needs.

Grateful to all who made this experience possible.