Building on Parla’s previous collaborations with Bilgi University and Wentworth Institute of Technology earlier on in 2025, Parla designers Seda Yetkiner and Gizem Arpacı participated as guest lecturers in two senior-year Industrial Design courses in the late autumn at Özyeğin University in Istanbul, working with 22 fourth-year undergraduate students.
Structured as a university–industry collaboration studio, the project was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Alpay Er, Head of the Department, and Research Assistant Ulaş Tigin. Throughout the semester, Seda Yetkiner and Gizem Arpacı shared their professional insights into industrial design practice within the furniture sector, supporting students during their design development processes.
For the final jury, students were asked to propose product sets that reflected Parla’s artisanal identity and cultural heritage, while responding to the low-cost, high-functionality requirements of the Build to Rent (BTR) housing market.
The proposed room and communal product sets were expected to integrate carbon footprint considerations, eco-design principles, and circular economy thinking into their design strategies.
The process began with site visits and introductory presentations by Seda and Gizem. Students then visited Parla’s factory, where they interacted directly with craftsmen, learned about their production approaches, and gained first-hand exposure to the furniture manufacturing process.
Over 14 weeks, studio sessions were held twice a week and progressed through presentations and critiques.
According to Tigin, the students described the experience as intensive, educational, and closely aligned with professional design practice.
He said, “During the factory visit, students asked many questions about material usage, production techniques, and detailing solutions. At the in-class evaluation meeting held after the factory visit, we focused especially on the emphasis on craftsmanship, which Parla itself also highlights. Students stated that this approach encouraged them to pay closer attention to details and production realities throughout the design process.”
Seda expressed that some students stood out with their use of materials. She added, “Mert, who worked on a metal shelving system, stood out in this regard, and we also had a student working on a mirrored console table, whose project was also very successful. Overall, we remember all the students who were highly engaged and asked many questions throughout the process.”
As the students at Özyeğin University were in their final year of study, the project was intentionally demanding, with a carefully constructed brief designed to push them to the limits of their abilities.
Drawing from Parla’s experience at Bilgi University, engaging with students at different stages of their education consistently proves to be both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering a meaningful way to inspire and be inspired by younger generations.
Driven by a shared passion for furniture design, Parla welcomed the opportunity to connect with students, share industry insights, and pass on its 116 years of expertise to future generations.
