Creative couple Dilara Kan Hon and Bodin Hon, Co-Founders of studio Yellowdot, discuss embracing the unexpected and harnessing contrasts to create bold and playful designs that bring joy to spaces.
Tell us about your design background and the history of the brand.
DILARA: We are Yellowdot – I’m Dilara from Istanbul and Bodin is from Hong Kong. We met during our Master’s course for product design in Milan around 10 years ago; I have a background in plastic arts and interior design, while Bodin’s background is in engineering and industrial design— quite a contrast! We wanted to create projects that merge the boundaries between the two: intelligent and fun, logical and emotional, technical and expressive. After graduation, we were inseparable in our work and personal lives; we married in Hong Kong and founded our studio in 2017.
What does Yellowdot represent as a design company?
BODIN: Yellowdot creates meaningful, joyful objects and spaces. We embrace boldness and are drawn to contrasts and the unexpected, which results in imaginative and innovative designs. We want to craft unique and thought-provoking pieces that are fun to live with.
How do you continue to innovative in the industry?
DILARA: We often work in various industries, from mass manufacturing to artisans, and bring our cross-boundary knowledge and experience to each collaboration. We seek opportunities in unexpected places to combine crafts with cutting-edge technology and experiment with new materials and techniques that may not have been combined before.
What has been your most successful milestone to date?
BODIN: It must be the Patisserie Collection, our collaboration with Gordon Ceramics from Turkey; creating something new with one of the oldest crafts techniques was intimidating. Patisserie comprises tiles, furniture and objects inspired by pastry. When we presented it at Maison et Objet in Paris [in 2023], it delighted many people from different countries and brought wider recognition to the design industry from Dilara’s home region. We were able to showcase Yellowdot’s design capabilities and inspire many fellow Turkish designers to set their sights internationally with local brands and makers.
What is the biggest challenge for Yellowdot in the global product design industry?
DILARA: Our biggest challenge is the logistical difficulty of sharing our work, as photos and videos often fall short. Millstone, for example, is a series of sculptural yet playful marble side tables where the tops can be rotated with the touch of a finger— something that must be experienced in person. People were truly surprised when we presented them during Milan Design Week. They feel so light that even small children can play with them, and we are very grateful to Rossana Orlandi’s gallery for allowing us to showcase our work.
BODIN: Building personal relationships is crucial, so we strive to balance visits to partners and online conversations. We value hands-on experiences and direct interactions with craftsmen, which spark creativity and ideas. Balancing travel and maintaining close communication with makers helps projects progress smoothly. Finding partners willing to collaborate on innovative projects is challenging, especially in regions with strong traditional roots. Building trust and convincing people to try new approaches requires effort but is essential for us. We create our own opportunities, adapt to different environments, and find unique ways to connect with people and cultures. Being flexible and proactive— in person and online— has helped us mitigate these challenges.
What shows and events have you been focused on this year?
DILARA: We presented the Hatch Eggshell Collection at Maison&Objet in Paris at the Hong Kong Design on Stage, and at the Lake Como Design Festival we unveiled a brand-new series of small (egg-serving) objects made with delicate eggshells, resin and brass in the Greenhouse area. Our Ova Pink Cabinet is currently being showcased at OMM – Odunpazarı Modern Museum’s upcoming exhibition, Creatures of Comfort, to coincide with the museum’s 5th anniversary. It’s a collective showcase of international artists and designers celebrated for their ingenuity in transcending conventional boundaries between art, industrial design, sculpture and installation, redefining the relationship between form and function. We’re humbled, honoured and very grateful!
How do you tackle issues surrounding sustainability in the interior design industry in your own studio and processes?
BODIN: We want to create intrinsically sustainable designs by using local materials and techniques and incorporating creative ways to use readily available waste materials such as offcuts and leftovers. For the Hatch Eggshell, a collection that includes pendant lamps, a room divider, a low table and a cabinet, we collected waste eggshells from our own kitchen and combined these with resin and brass to create beautiful lighting and furnishings.
What does the company aspire to look like in 20 years time?
DILARA: We aspire to see Yellowdot designs in everyday life and around the world. Whether it is products, furniture, spaces, or virtual, we’ll continue to evolve, sharing our creativity and spreading joy.
www.studioyellowdot.com | IG: @studioyellowdot
