ERDEM GÜNSÜR
DATE & PLACE OF BIRTH
1990 Istanbul, Turkey
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
2020-2021 Sabanci University (Turkey)
Executive Development Unit
Digital Transformation & Innovation Micro MBA Programme
2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sloan School of Management (USA)
Mastering Design Thinking Executive Education
EDUCATION
2014-2018 Istanbul Technical University (Turkey) /
Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
International Master of Interior Architectural Design
2008-2013 Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (Turkey)
Faculty of Architecture Bachelor of Interior Architecture
2004-2008 The Koç School (Turkey)
Maths and Science Highschool Programme
My Spirit Animals
my guides & companions
the ram
thought me to batter the gates of any stronghold
INTELLECTUAL & CREATIVE CONFIDENCE
the bee
thought me to work hard and work as a hive
MULTIDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION
the owl
thought me to navigate in the dark
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
LANGUAGES
High Level English (TOEFL IBT 2017: 107/120) (IELTS Computer Based 2019: 8.0/9.0)
Intermediate Level German
Native Turkish
BUSINESS TOOLS & METHODOLOGIES (5+ YEARS EXPERIENCE)
Design Thinking
Inspiration Methods: Benchmarking, journey mapping, fieldwork & observation, surveys, focus group inquiries, needs identification & analysis.
Ideation Methods: Creative idea generation, problem decomposition, needs translation into specs, development and user testing, sketch modelling, rapid and iterative prototyping, PoC model building, concept design.
Implementation Methods: High fidelity prototyping, user testing & validation, system level design, product architecture building, financial analysis on product development economics, product life cycle assessment.
Systematic Innovation Management
Project Management & Business Development
Business Model Canvas / Value Proposition Canvas / DMAIC / AGILE & Spiral Development / Stage-Gate Development / Real-Win-Worth Analysis / RACI / SWOT / MoSCoW Matrices
Product Development & Economics
Marketing & Communications Planning
Brand Strategy & Purpose Building
TECHNICAL ABILITIES
CAD Software & Visualization
Advanced knowledge over 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, Lumion
and Microsoft Office programs
User of Wacom Intuos series professional digital pen tablet since 2006
Additive Manufacturing
Intermediate knowledge over Arduino, Slic3r, Simplify 3D, Cura, Repetier
Maker - Has three home-made 3D printers:
Prusa i3 Type Printer for Fused Filament Fabrication PLA/ABS (Used at Home)
Delta Type Ceramics/Porcelain Printer (Used at a local Porcelain Studio)
Hacked Velleman K8200 Printer for Hydrogel Printing (Used at the Biomedical Engineering Labs of Bogazici University)
Coding & Data Analytics
Basic knowledge over Python & Orange
AWARDS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Co-Founder: Catception AR/VR Game - ARAF Game Studio (Accelerated by Google Developers + Game Factory, 2021)
Inventor: Patent Publication No: WO/2022/005432 (A Humidity Regulating Material and Production Method Thereof)
2019 eVolo Skyscraper Competition: Honorable Mention Award - Project Recombinant
CURRENT OCCUPATION & JOB DESCRIPTION
2023 - Kale Group / Innovation Executive
2021 - 2022 Kale Group / Marketing & Design Strategies Senior Specialist
2018 - 2021 Kale Group / Marketing & Design Strategies Specialist
Coordination & Management of Strategic Design & Innovation Practices of Kaleseramik
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Business Design & Strategic Management Experience: Using creative methodologies i.e. Design Thinking in harmony with business tools for creating human centered & innovation driven business opportunities.
- Multidisciplinary Collaborations & Project Management
(Information Technologies, Biotechnology, Material Science, Design, Architecture, Business)
- Corporate Strategy & Purpose Building: Linking innovation management with corporate strategies for creating purpose driven businesses
Prominent Projects:
- Innovation Management & Business Design: Cura Tile by Kale (2018-)
- Corporate Sustainability: Strategy Building & Process Management for Green Transition (2021-)
- Omnichannel Strategy & Digital Platform Creation: Kale Core Project (2019-2021)
- Digitalization of Brick & Mortar Sales Points: Kale Design Lab Phygital Sales Experience Project (2020)
- Corporate Stratgey & Purpose Building: Collaboration with R/GA London (2019)
- Multidisciplinary Ideation & Creative Collaboration: eVolo Skyscraper Competition Project in collaboration with PIN Architects & Istanbul Technical University Molecular Biology Biotechnology & Genetics Research Center
- Joint Product Development & Innovation Collaboration: Kale / Unilever Turkey (the joint sanitary solution concept was ranked 1st among all Unilever Future Mindset Projects (Domestos + Cif Product Lines) by Unilever Turkey) (2018)
- From RnD Labs to Pilot Plants: Industrial Upscaling Experience (2018-)
- Product & Design Management: Birsel+Seck LLC Collaboration (2018-2019)
- 3D Fabrication of Industrial Ceramic Bodies: WASP Collaboration (2018)
PROMINENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
- Theoric + In-Lab Biotech Experience: 2 + years on-hand lab research at the protein engineering & metagenomics labs of Istanbul Technical University Molecular Biology Biotechnology & Genetics Research Center (2016-2018)
- Accepted to Rhode Island School of Design (USA), Master of Design in Interior Studies (2+ Years) with a scholarship and an assistanship offer (2013)
- Editor: Highschool Magazine ‘Snoring - The Sound of a Sleeping Nation’: Koç School (2004-2006)
- Caricaturist: Highschool Magazine ‘T.A.W.A.- This Announcement Was About’: Koç School (2004-2006)
- Lead Actor & Playwrite: English Drama Club, Koç School (2003-2004, 2007-2008)
SOCIAL SKILLS
PUBLIC SPEAKING
I have always loved to be on stage. The English Drama Club (during elementary & highscool) had a vital impact on my public speaking skills. Besides acting on stage, I also had the chance to write and direct plays which gave me an overall understanding on addressing to a specific crowd of people and actively recieving feedback.
It helped me to grow a certain sense of empathy towards the people I'm addressing - which I believe is an essential factor in design processes.
VISUAL ARTS & PAINTING
I was painting long before I was able to read or write. And never abandoned it ever since. I believe the act of painting is to be the most refined and unique way of human expression.
The ability to render any abstarct idea through a physical form (whether it be through paper & ink or through various softwares) greatly enhances creative idea generation.
TEAMWORK
I have always been curious towards learning from other people (especially people from different disciplines and backgrounds). And the best way to do so, in my opinion, is to work with them.
For me, one of the most fulfilling aspects about life is working with a group of people united around certain ideas and ideals - and realizing such ideas.
MY LOVE OF THE SEA
I spent a major part of my childhood on a sailboat. Being at sea greatly influenced my personality in terms of discipline, change adaptation (and staying calm on risky situations) and respect towards nature.
I love moving out of my comfort-zone and discovering new & challenging mediums, since I'm accustomed to being on a liquid medium which acts in unpredictable ways - but also presents some of the greatest pleasures in return.
My dad is a software engineer, my mom is an artist, and curiosity is my best friend - I've always seen myself positioned at where they all intersect.
