Design is all about making things, and the way we make things has undergone a revolution in recent years. From 3D printing to crowd-funding, there have never been more tools for enterprising designers to step out of corporate employment and set up on their own. Blouin ARTINFO has launched Cool by Design, a series designed to showcase the enterpreneurial spirit, and creative flair, of design start-ups around the world.Design studio Escapefromsofa has a holistic approach – from architectural space to every item of furniture. The studio's aesthetics is a mix of Mediterranean ornament and modernist simplicity. It was established in Istanbul in 2009 by interior architect Kerem Erçin and industrial designer Mahmut Kefeli. Escapefromsofa was selected by Istanbul Design Week to represent local design at Dubai Design Week (October 26 -31) as part of its Destination program. Blouin ARTINFO caught up with Mahmut Kefeli to ask a few questions. Name of Business: ESCAPEFROMSOFAMakes: Interior architecture and product designSince: September 2009Based in: IstanbulHow many people do you employ: 6Age of oldest employee: 32Age of youngest employee: 25Name & Role of Person(s) Answering the Questions: Mahmut Kefeli, co-founder.Who are you, and how many are you?I am Mahmut Kefeli, co-founder of escapefromsofa and industrial designer. We are three partners, and there is six of us in total.What is the meaning behind your name: Escapefromsofa?The name, `escape from sofa,' is a rejection of the laziness attributed to Mediterranean people. Contrary to human nature, we always escape from the sofa!The company - what exactly do you do?Escapefromsofa is a design studio established in İstanbul in 2009, catering to various needs like interior and product design. We at Escapefromsofa strive to create rich experiences for our clients and their market. We believe in simplicity and worship the details, we enjoy working with new and emerging materials and technology.What did you do before starting this business?Before we start business, we worked for various architectural and design firms.What is your favourite/most popular product?The Shorttail Rocking Chair.Who buys your products? Where?Retail customers and architectural firms.Where can one buy your products?Go to www.escapefromsofa.com.What is your typical day at work/in the office?We come to office at 8 o'clock in the morning. First we finish the routine works. Sometimes we have lots of meetings during the day and sometimes we prefer to stay at the office for some creative time.What is the best thing that has happened to you since starting the business?Every single project is the best thing has happened to us. In each project, we built something brand new from scratch. The feeling beneath that idea is something that I cannot describe in words - we love what we do.How would you describe your design community in Istanbul?The exchange rate in design is very fast in this century. As the world becomes smaller and smaller every day, information reaches us ever faster. What we try to do is narrow these opportunities down, and try to be as inspired, and unique, as we can.What are you presenting at Dubai Design Week?We are going to represent our new collection of furniture, and some of our previous works.In five years, design will be...In five years design will be as unpredictable as today... but it will definitely give us a smile...
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