A Design Center as a Regional Solution to the Design-Oriented Problems of the Ankara Siteler Furniture Zone

Abstract

The economic value created by companies operating in the furniture industry is very important for our country. This study aims to offer an alternative solution to the design-oriented problems of these companies. The subject of the research is the Siteler furniture production area in Ankara, which is one of Turkey’s best established furniture areas. In the study, officials of 344 small and mediumsized companies operating in the Ankara-Siteler region were surveyed in person. As a result of the research, it was found that although the vast majority of firms are involved in design activities, very few of them have a design department and employ professional design staff, and that the companies who claimed that they used original designs are actually inspired by the products they have seen in catalogs, internet and fairs. Although companies have introduced numerous new products into the market during the last three years, it has been determined that almost all companies do not have a patent and utility model certificate, and at least two-thirds have not received a design award with a design registration certificate. A “design center” proposal was made by the researcher for the region where design-oriented problems were found to be most common, and the vast majority of companies stated that such a core unit was urgently required. It has been observed that a design center would make a significant contribution both to private companies and to all activities throughout the Siteler region.

Keywords

• design activity
• furniture
• design centre
• siteler
• ankara