last updated: 07.06.04 //////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////////////////////////////   "..and Design " Ayşe Birsel Ayşe Birsel graduated from Middle East Technical University, Department of Industrial Design. Between 1986 and 1989, with a Fulbright scholarship , she took an MA from Pratt Institute, New York. After two years in the Pratt Institute , she designed her thesis , 'The Water Room' which brought her the 'Design the Future' award held in Japan in 1989 as well as the 'ID Magazine Concept' award in 1990. Ayse Birsel has about fifteen awards including four for her work 'Zoe' in 1995 and 1996; another two for the furniture system she designed for Herman Miller which won 'Best of Neocon Competition - Best of Competition and Best Furniture System' award and in the year 2000 'Industrial Design Excellence Awards'. She taught at Mimar Sinan University, Turkey; at various universities and design schools in Paris and New York, participated in many events as speaker, juror and instructor and gave papers. Birsel's articles and interviews were published in various international magazines. Ayse Birsel's company, Olive Design, designs for worldwide firms among which are: Authentics GmbH, Tabletop Products, Germany, Dansk International, Tabletop Products, Germany, Decorum, Home Products, Turkey, Guilford of Maine, Textiles, USA, Herman Miller Inc., Office Furniture, USA, Knoll, Office Accessories, USA, Pentagram, Hotel Products, New York, Sasaki Crystal, Tabletop Products, USA, Toto Ltd., Water Products, Japan, V.I.A., Furniture, France, Vitra / Eczacibasi, Water Products, Turkey.