Koz Defne

Koz Defne

Industrial designer Defne Koz was born in Turkey and raised professionally in Italy. After having studied at Domus Academy – Milan, her idea of design is influenced by her training in Ettore Sottsass’ studio by the combination of her Turkish and Italian culture and by her curiosity for very different product types.

Her interests span from humanizing new technologies to rediscovering the tradition of hand made products.
She is co-founder and partner of Koz Susani Design, an award winner, innovative studio based in Chicago, with Marco Susani, where she designs iconic, emotionally engaging, innovative award winning products and experiences.
Their designs span from domestic objects to high-tech devices,from hi-touch materials to interaction design, from luxury crafts to mass-manufactured products, always focusing on hi-quality design that embraces vision and innovation while preserving human, emotional qualities.
She was awarded “Designer of the Year, 2013” by Elle Deco International Design Awards in Turkey.
Her designs were awarded with ‘Gold Award’ by Neocon 2016, IF Design 2015, 2014; IDA Bronze Award 2014, RedDot Design Award 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, and 2006, by Innovation Design Award 2013 German Design Council, by Elle Décor Award in 2015, 2012, 2011 by IDA Bronze Award in 2011, by ID Design Magazine as “Best in Category” Prize in 2001, by Good Design Award, Chicago in 2002 and 2013 and her products were nominated for the ADI Index Compasso d’Oro in 2002 and in 2016, and were selected several times as ‘Best of the Category by EDIDA International Awards and Design Turkey Awards.
The studio’s internationally acclaimed clients include Alessi, Allstate, Arcelik, Avsar, Bernhardt, Burotime, Crate & Barrel, Derin, Delta, Dove/Unilever, Egizia, FontanaArte, Foscarini, Gaia&Gino,Leucos, Lipton/Unilever, MPD, Mitterteich 1400º, Megaron, Merati, Nissan, Nestle, Nurus, OmniDecor, Panasonic, Pirelli, Rapsel, Samet, Swarovski, Swissotel, TunaOffice, Verreum, Vitra, WMF, Xerox.