This year’s World Industrial Design Day is being celebrated with the theme of “diversity”

Cyprus International University (CIU) Fine Arts, Design, and Architecture Department (FADAD) Academic Staff Assist. Prof. Dr. Pervin Abohorlu Doğramacı, stated that each year on the 29th June, World Industrial Design Day is celebrated within the context of the theme they determine.

Expressing that World Industrial Design Day has been held by all design-related circles, in an effort to emphasize the development of industrial design within economic, social, cultural, and environmental fields, Abohorlu stated that this year's theme has been determined as "diversity".

Abohorlu stated that for design communities this approach means; race, ethnic roots, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, socio-economic status, religion, political ideology, and when this is the case, trying to understand and accept individual differences of those with unique needs.

Informing that different activities will be organized during the entire month of June, Abohorlu advised that due to this, all initiatives involving industrial design will support diversity.

Reminding that in the early ages, product design begun with the production of stone tools, Assist. Prof. Dr. Abohorlu added that with the industrial revolution and the strength of machinery, this was replaced by mass production, and noted that today the developing technology has provided opportunities for innovative designs.

Expressing that the innovative solutions that have been established by the union of design and technology does not only develop our own industry, Abohorlu went on to advise that they have changed millions of people’s lives for the better.

Drawing attention to the importance of the question as a designer who wishes to contribute to a more ‘diverse’ industry, “What can I do to contribute to a more 'diverse' industry?”, for a more successful industry, Abohorlu went on to note, "Designers should constantly explore proactive ways in making the design and creative industry more diverse, inclusive, and equitable."

Stating that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a majority of the countries will hold their activities and celebrate online, Abohorlu noted that as the CIU Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, they congratulated all the designers and designer candidates on World Industrial Design Day.