Abe & Ada Lamp
I was responsible for translating the designer’s concept into a producible, high-quality product. My role included guiding prototypes, solving technical details, coordinating with the manufacturer in Vietnam, and ensuring the design intent was preserved throughout the development process.
Design: Daphna Laurens
Development: Erva Yüksek (Product Developer) with Senior Developer, FEST Amsterdam
2023
FEST Color Palette – Winter 2022/23
Co-developed the full seasonal color palette with the senior developer (team of two). We took over this responsibility from marketing to ensure brand alignment and production feasibility. The palette guided the entire winter collection and in-store merchandising.
FEST Amsterdam
Embroidered Cotton Napkins
Fully designed and developed by me, including sourcing a new near-home manufacturer. I created the embroidery design, guided sampling, and managed the full technical development. Although this product didn’t enter the final collection, it showcases my ability to lead an end-to-end project independently.
Design & Development: Erva Yüksek, FEST Amsterdam
2023
Checks rug
The Checks Rug is a high-quality wool rug, crafted using a distinctive shaving technique that combines high-pile and low-pile textures to form a classic checks pattern. It is available in a single solid color, which highlights the subtle relief of the pattern, as well as in a brown-beige color combination for a more traditional checked look.
Designed and Developed, FEST Amsterdam
2023
Charlie Glassware
I supported the project from the very beginning by helping prepare and structure the design briefing for Martin Hirth. Towards the end of the development phase, I guided the final sample rounds and resolved the remaining technical details together with our senior developer. Throughout the project, I ensured smooth collaboration between the designer, our team, and the manufacturer.
Design: Martin Hirth
Development: Erva Yüksek (Product Developer) with Senior Developer, FEST Amsterdam 2022
Blob bowls
These ceramic bowls are designed for both functional and decorative use. They work beautifully as fruit bowls, snack platters, or simply as eye-catching statement pieces on their own. The bowls are available in two sizes and come in two color options.
Designed and Developed, FEST Amsterdam
2023
Murray glass bowl
This bowl is a renewed glass version of the previous Murray ceramic bowl, originally designed by Martin Hirth. The glass edition offers a refined, mature aesthetic. It makes a beautiful statement piece on its own but is also perfectly functional as a fruit bowl, for example filled with lemons or other fresh fruit.
Design: Martin Hirth
Development: Erva Yüksek (Product Developer), FEST Amsterdam
2022
Stepping Back: From Junior Developer to Graduate Work
After highlighting my experience at FEST, let's step back in time to explore my graduation projects. Here, you'll see how my journey in digital design and production began...
Parametric Digital Design
A graduation project for the University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam focused on the design and development of a digitally produced stool for the main areas of the university building. Using Rhino and Grasshopper, a parametric design was created from upcycled cardboard—waste packaging material that would otherwise be sent to a recycling company. Instead, the material was processed internally within the university’s digital production lab.
Turning Cardboard Waste into Value
Every day, many packages are delivered to the university building, with the cardboard waste typically sent off to recycling companies. But why not upcycle this material internally? By processing the cardboard on-site, the CO₂ footprint from transport and the energy required for recycling can be significantly reduced. This project explored a system within the university where students and staff could return cardboard packaging to the Robot Lab studio in exchange for a stool made from that same material.
Digital production
The stool is a parametrically designed product, adaptable to the user’s needs. This method aligns well with digital production —CNC milling using a robotic arm—allowing each stool to be custom-made on demand, without requiring pre-manufacturing or stockpiling materials.
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Cardboard waste is transformed into a precisely milled, functional stool through this seamless process. The project demonstrated the potential of local, circular production, although only experimental prototypes were completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the Archives: Early Projects & Concepts
A collection of projects focused on materials, techniques, and creative development...
Design Intern at Normann Copenhagen
During my internship at Normann Copenhagen, I worked on a variety of design concepts, shapes, and ideas. I had the opportunity to create several small prototypes through 3D printing as part of the development process. Due to intellectual property rights held by the company, I’m only able to share a limited, close-up view of the work.
Internship period sep. 2019 - feb. 2020
Ligna Lumo
Digitally produced and sustainably designed wooden pendant lamp. Ligna Lumo is laser-cut from MDF with 90% material efficiency to minimize waste. The lamp is flat-packed for eco-friendly logistics and can be easily assembled by the customer. Once installed, it creates a warm and atmospheric light.
Designed and Developed, University Project in collab with Cre8, 2016
Greenteaching Education with Elho
Greenteaching is a classroom concept that teaches children how to grow plants and crops through hands-on learning. The modular system holds 24 pots across three layers, with each student responsible for their own pot. Each pot includes a small compartment for storing tools, promoting independence and environmental awareness.The concept was selected by Elho during the final presentation of a university project but was not pursued further.
Concept Design, University project in collab with Elho, 2019
Erva Yüksek Balasar
About
I'm Erva, a product designer with a background in Engineering Product Design, passionate about creating thoughtful, functional, and natural products. I care about designs that feel honest, in material, use, and production.I’ve worked across the furniture and interior design industry, including FEST Amsterdam and Normann Copenhagen, collaborating with designers, developers, and manufacturers across Europe and Asia. I enjoy projects where aesthetics, sustainability, and user experience come together.Core Skills
- Product design & development (concept to production)
- Material research & sampling
- Brand identity & color palette development
- UX and web design (WordPress)
- Collaboration with designers, developers & manufacturersTechnical Skills
- 3D modeling: SolidWorks, Rhino
- Rendering: KeyShot
- Adobe Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
- Digital fabrication & robotic armsOther Experience
- Freelance and voluntary design projects
- Translating trends into collections
- Sustainable & functional design focus
- Giving courses and seminars on behavioral change strategiesI occasionally take on freelance and voluntary projects, and I love exploring new ideas and collaborations. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to work together.
About
I'm Erva, a product designer with a background in Engineering Product Design, passionate about creating thoughtful, functional, and natural products. I care about designs that feel honest, in material, use, and production.I’ve worked across the furniture and interior design industry, including FEST Amsterdam and Normann Copenhagen, collaborating with designers, developers, and manufacturers across Europe and Asia. I enjoy projects where aesthetics, sustainability, and user experience come together.Core Skills
- Product design & development (concept to production)
- Material research & sampling
- Brand identity & color palette development
- UX and web design (WordPress)
- Collaboration with designers, developers & manufacturersTechnical Skills
- 3D modeling: SolidWorks, Rhino
- Rendering: KeyShot
- Adobe Suite: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
- Digital fabrication & robotic armsOther Experience
- Freelance and voluntary design projects
- Translating trends into collections
- Sustainable & functional design focus
- Giving courses and seminars on behavioral change strategiesI occasionally take on freelance and voluntary projects, and I love exploring new ideas and collaborations. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to work together.