Industrial Product Designer Buket Hoşcan Bazman, under her Istanbul-based design brand Marbleous, founded in 2014, creates timeless and elegant products that add value to life by emphasizing traditional craftsmanship, contemporary design aesthetics, and quality. Preferring to work mainly with natural materials, especially marble—the brand’s main inspiration—Bazman designs customizable products that allow users to play with colors and textures. We spoke with Buket Hoşcan Bazman about her relationship with marble, the inspiration behind Marbleous, and new trends in natural stone.
Can you tell us about yourself and your background in industrial design?
I was born in İzmir in 1989. I graduated from the Industrial Product Design Department at Işık University. Right after graduation, I started working at a company producing marble furniture. After that, I gained 2.5 years of experience in the ceramics sector. In 2014, I began my design work for my brand, Marbleous.
You create many modern and customizable designs using natural stone with Marbleous. How did your brand come about?
When creating the brand, my goal was to blend design and craftsmanship to produce unique products. To achieve this, I combined traditional production techniques with clean lines to create a collection. The most important feature of the furniture designs in the collection is their customizability. I wanted everyone to find a personal touch in the product they bring home and to have a say in it. We produce designs in different sizes and materials.
You emphasize the use of natural materials in your designs. What draws you specifically to marble, which is also reflected in your brand name?
As a designer entering the industry, the first material I experienced in production was marble. The nature of the stone, its formation process, and its workability both surprised and fascinated me. In Marbleous products, I mostly use marble combined with wood and brass. I like to blend materials to some extent. I always prefer natural materials in all my designs because they give the product value and durability.
We know you choose Turkish marbles and trust Turkish marble craftsmanship. How do these choices reflect on your brand’s style?
Turkey is very rich in marble reserves and variety. I believe there is no difference in quality. Marble, due to its structure, is a difficult material to produce and use. Therefore, breaking prejudices among producers and creating unique designs requires serious knowledge and experience. I enjoy challenging myself and producers with new production techniques and forms. The satisfaction of creating something new together motivates the producers, which reflects positively on the products.
What elements inspire you in the design process?
The materials themselves have always been my main source of inspiration. To do this, you need to know the material well. Its workability, advantages, and disadvantages can take the design to a completely different level. Therefore, I focus intensely on the material I plan to use from the very beginning of the process.
You have participated in many exhibitions in Turkey and abroad and won numerous awards in competitions. What motivates you behind these successes?
The idea of creating original designs and getting people used to something new has always motivated me. Design is also my way of reflecting my ideas and feelings to others. Competing with myself keeps my energy high. I always strive for each new design to be better than the last.
Can you talk about upcoming trends in natural stone and how you see its future in the design world?
Marble processing techniques are improving worldwide. Similarly, I believe that designers like me are breaking taboos about marble in Turkey. As original designs increase, they will motivate the next generation of designers and producers, and interest in natural stone will continue to grow.
