Furniture sector to reach $6 billion target through design

Strong interest continues in the Ezber Bozan Design Competition, now in its fourth edition, which showcases designs from young design candidates in the furniture sector and introduces renowned Turkish designers and their work to the world.

With support from the Ministry of Commerce, the Ezber Bozan Design Competition is being held in two categories—student and professional—by the Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association. The deadline for applications has been set as 19 August 2024.

Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Chairman Ali Fuat Gürle stated, "While our furniture sector achieved USD 2.5 billion in exports across Turkey in the first seven months of 2024, Iraq ranks first among the countries with the highest exports, with USD 319 million and a 22% increase. Germany comes second with USD 215 million, and the United States ranks third with USD 142 million in exports and a 9% increase. Among other leading countries, France ranks with USD 136 million and a 9% increase, and Romania with USD 114 million and a 4% increase. The average kilogram price of furniture exports across Turkey is around USD 3.5. Design competitions are of great importance to raise our average export price in furniture to USD 6. In response to strong demand from our participants, we have changed the final application deadline to 19 August. The furniture sector achieved USD 4.6 billion in exports in 2023. Our sector will reach the USD 6 billion target through design."

Aegean Furniture, Paper and Forest Products Exporters Association Vice Chairman Hikmet Güngör said, "Our Ezber Bozan Design Competition, which has been welcomed with great interest since its first year, will be held this year under the theme 'MOBİLYAŞAM' with the goal of creating environmentally and user-friendly solutions and bringing innovative products to light in the furniture sector. Design competitions enable cooperation between the furniture sector and designers, and the creation of a very important network. We have designers who have participated in our competition and have been employed. The most renowned brands in the world have valuable designers in our jury. To achieve our goal of being among the top 5 countries in furniture exports globally, we need to increase high value-added, original furniture design and production. The most important milestone of this goal is our talented designers. Our sector continues its steady growth through design."

4TH EZBER BOZAN DESIGN COMPETITION THEME

With the MOBİLYAŞAM theme, designs that seamlessly integrate into individuals' frequently changing living spaces and different use needs, contain mobility, are easily transportable and modifiable, and enable more effective use of furniture are being sought.

With the MOBİLYAŞAM theme, the development of ideas that will contribute to the furniture industry's competitive strength and increase exports is expected. In this context, designs submitted to the competition should be producible, the production techniques and materials envisaged in the designs should be compatible, and sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches should be included.

PARTICIPANT CATEGORIES

1- Student Category

2- Professional Competitor Category

AWARDS

1. Monetary Prizes

Student Category Monetary Prize

First: TRY 80,000

Second: TRY 60,000

Third: TRY 40,000

Professional Category Monetary Prize

First: TRY 125,000

Second: TRY 100,000

Third: TRY 75,000

2. International Trade Fair Participation

3. International Education Scholarship Prize

4. University Special Prize

JURY MEMBERS

• Berkay Gürsoy

• Ece Yalım

• Enrique Marti

• Fikri Doruk Yorgancıoğlu

• Fulden Dehneli

• Gamze Güven

• Mehmet Mehmetalioğlu

• Özlem Yalım

• Serdal Korkut Avc