Prof. Oya Demirbilek

DESIGN RESEARCH JUROR

Oya Demirbilek is Professor of Industrial Design at UNSW Sydney and an internationally recognised scholar in design research methods, product semantics, inclusive design, design for ageing, and emotion-driven design. Her work is driven by a commitment to making everyday life more accessible, meaningful, and dignified through design.

Her research explores how products, systems, and environments can be made more accessible, meaningful, and easier to use for a wide range of people, especially older adults. Using co-design as a core methodology, she works closely with end users to bring real needs, experiences, and aspirations into the design process. Her work also examines the physical and emotional relationships between people, daily activities, and emerging technologies in domestic contexts.

At UNSW, Oya has held several senior leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Education, Discipline Director for Industrial Design, and Program Director for postgraduate industrial design programs. She also led the design and development of UNSW Built Environment’s first MOOC, Re-Enchanting the City. Before joining UNSW, she taught and conducted research at the Middle East Technical University and ArtCenter College of Design Europe. Her two PhDs focused on designing for ageing and involving older people early in the design process.