The document summarizes an interview with designer Ayşe Birsel about her career and perspectives. She discusses her DE&RE technique which involves deconstructing and reconstructing ideas. For DE&RE, one determines a subject, fragments it to overcome biases, examines the pieces, and reconstructs it with a new perspective. She also comments that creativity has shifted from architecture to virtual worlds and social media, and that 3D printing could transform manufacturing by allowing individuals to design and produce objects.

1. ON THE ROADS-5
AYŞE BİRSEL
21.02.2014

2. FOREWORD
One of the most famous designer Ayse Birsel, she is my 5th
guest for my ‘’on the roads’’ interview series. We talked about
design, her interests and her perspective on design technics.I
also got some suggestions from her for you.
We live in an era where knowledge and knowledge mining are
trending. Now, she has a designing and an innovation factory.
Most importantly, while today and the future are based on
technology,however she is focusing on human in her factory.
Fatih CETİZ

4. CONVERSATION

5. One of your innovation techniques is DE&RE. How and where
did you come up with this idea? What in your life made you
invent this idea?
I realized that I work in a specific thinking method while I design a
product. I saw that I have this pattern that I repeat by instinct. And
it had a different essence. I wanted to put it into writing and turn it
to a concrete technique, when I was experimenting whether I
would be able to do it or not, this deconstruction & reconstruction
technique consisting of four stages, was created. A technique that I
bare, which is based upon my experience. Formerly it was only
something that I knew whereas right now I can share it with others;
teach it to others; to my students, my colleagues, my clients… and
we apply it together. While designing lives, it became something
that teaches to people who know nothing about design. So frugal,
so simple yet the outcome is that much dense and enthusiastic.

6. We now live in a world where consultancy has regularities and what you do is so
precious considering its uniqueness. Officially registered creative thinking and
innovation technique DE&RE is almost like the puzzles which we are all familiar
with from our childhood. Could you please tell us how it works?
You can apply it on anything; to the product, to a business organization,
and to your life. This technique, DE&RE is based on distorting something,
changing your perspective of it and reconstructing it. Determining the
subject, fragmenting it, and while doing the fragmentation you start to
overcome your prejudice. Then, you look at the fragments and try to think
and understand the pieces that you have to change, how to change, and
the things that missing. This then causes you to change your perspective.
Here, we use some design tools such as metaphor. It enables you to be
aware of the different approaches you can make with the things you
already have. You find the answer to the question; how can I reconstruct
these things I already have. When the main idea is formed you turn that
product or a strategy into your life style. And then the work that will lead
to the solution will be presented to you

8. Future is always vague, and the past is always a good place to learn lessons.
The past, the present and the future are linked concepts, and we create
various scenarios for the future. What do you think about the futurism
trend and futurism?
That is also a design. Not a product design but an
opinion design. The same applies to the product; you
don’t know what’s going to be happening in the future
but you make a prediction based on the facts that you
know from the past and the present and you create a
new product. Since you make that prediction based
upon your knowledge, you try to base it on an
established platform. It’s almost as if like a prophecy.
You don’t neglect the things that you know yet you
create something new out of it.

9. I have something else that I am curious about other than business design. Centuries
ago, architecture of the cities were standing out. Especially the developing countries
do not have this kind of a concern. That is why we are living in these aesthetic
lacking concrete buildings which in my opinion are causing a decrease in our
creativity. What do you think about this?
I do not believe that we can change this new perspective. Architecture was a
form of expression in the past. Today, this expression is present in the virtual
world. That’s why people are investing a lot less to the real world in addition to
spending diminished amount of time. When I think about the past; marbles etc.
those were some long-term investments that were nicely built with great
amount of hard-work, material and effort. We still do have them however; it is as
if like they don’t have to be present in the future, creativity has shifted to
different places. For example we have opinion architecture, entrepreneurship,
and great deal of expansion in social media. Facebook for example, Google,
twitter these are today’s architecture in some way. This concerns me a little, we
want the old way but today’s reality does not let it happen. If that is the case, we
should be concentrating on where to use our creativity. Maybe this is a
transition, like the revolution with printers, the revolution in products are
enabled with 3D printers. In the future, buildings that were built by them may be
created. And we may be in a transition period right now. It excites me when I
think this way.

10. FREE CORNER

11. The way of living in the positive future lies beneath designing it.
What would you say if I wanted you to make me a future map on
a topic based on the four questions below?
•
What is the topic?
3D printing
•
Within the subject, what is changing?
When the printers at our homes started to be a part of our lives, each one of us started
to be content generator. When we were only capable of doing this 2D, with this new
technology we are preparing to produce 3D object in our homes which is something
incredible. This change will probably have enough power to transform the whole chain
of production.
•
Why is it important?
With this technologic move, we can all become designers. It is as if like people are
returning to their original being. Everyone used to create their own chair, plate, and sew
their own sunshade. With this technology we are going to return to our original selves.
The opportunity of being creative will be presented for the interested ones and the
others would be able to produce as much as they need. For instance when a glass is
broken, consumer will be able to re-create it in a short period of time and the producers
will not need to balance the supply and demand issue.
•
How is it suppose to be?
It is suppose to be quick 

12. -SHORTLY-

13. •
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
To get on the stage and dance, in a conference.
•
Do you have a motto? What is it?
My life is my most important project.
•
Do you have a book or a movie that is about the future which you would like to
suggest to us?
Film: Brazil – Terry Gilliam
Book: Michio Kaku – The Future of the Mind
•
When said ‘entrepreneur’ who comes to your mind?
My friends John Zapolski…
•
Some simple questions have hard answers. What is your simple question?
Do you love me?

14. •
What was your first dream that you remember?
I dreamt about Roman horse-drawn vehicle’s in Ephesus.
•
Einstein said: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” What is
your passion?
To think differently; in order to reach the solution…
•
Which animated film character are you?
The girl named Chihiro in the animated movie Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki.
•
If you were to begin a sentence with “If…” what would you say to ignite our
creativity?
If I were fearless..
•
If you were to choose an object for change, what would it be?
I would choose Google.. “always same, always different”

15. Ayşe BİRSEL:
 http://dereconstruction.com/start/ayse-birsel/
 https://twitter.com/AyseBirselSeck
Fatih CETİZ:
 http://www.fatihcetiz.com/
 https://twitter.com/fatihcetiz