The designs that came in the 11th National Domestic Furniture Design Competition have been officially registered. Among the designs is the BookRoll, which enables disabled people to reach the top shelves of their libraries, and it attracted the most attention from visitors and the jury of the competition. Designed by Gökçe Kırımlı and Fatih Sezer, students in Marmara University's Fine Arts Faculty, the special book shelves aim to help disabled people increase their quality of living. Speaking to the press, the General Manager of Adres Patent, Cumhur Akbulut, said that reaching the top shelves is an obstacle not only for disabled people: "This invention enables people to reach higher shelves easily. The inventors adhered to the universal rules of industrial design and came up with this idea."
Explaining their aim to have 1 million patented products by 2023, with help from young inventors, Akbulut said: "Producers realized that teaming up with designers contributes to the furniture industry and export rates. Current numbers show that we are just starting to make an attack, however I am hoping to reach our goal with the contributions to the industry. In order to become a brand in furniture production, Turkish furniture producers have to collaborate with successful, renowned and award-winning designers. People value functionality but design is important as well."
Akbulut said that the advance of technology and production techniques has enabled producers to offer a variety of products and enabled buyers to choose from among a wide range of products. "I believe that one of the most important things which attracts buyers is the design of the product. However, advertisement and marketing are also important. If we continue to support innovative ideas, Turkey will become a brand in the domestic furniture industry."
