Tolga Benli

Assistant Professor

Industrial Design

Office: GEH A226

E-mail:  tbenli@wku.edu.cn / tbenli@kean.edu

 

Biography

Asst. Prof. Tolga Benli is Istanbul based Interior Designer and Furniture maker with over twenty years of experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and complexities in his area of expertise. He pursued his studies in Interior Architecture at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Marmara University, Istanbul. Additionally, he studied Studio Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his MFA degree in Furniture Design and Wood..

Tolga Benli has been teaching wide range of courses in Furniture Design and Industrial Design and Interior Architecture, as well as Materials and finishes, Prototyping and Production Methods for Yacht Design graduate programs at several Universities. He has conducted workshops at Institutions throughout Turkey and several universities in Europe. Over the years Tolga Benli has exhibited his art and design, and published articles, judged for industry or educational competitions, and involved in various committees and collaborative projects.

 

Education Background

Master of Fine Arts(MFA), Furniture Design,  Studio Arts  [ 1999 ]

University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, US.

Mater of Arts (MA), Interior Architecture [ 1995-cont ]

Marmara University, Istanbul, TUR.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Interior Architecture  [ 1993 ]

Marmara University, Istanbul, TUR.

 

Courses

IND 2301: Model Design

IND 2350: Production Methods W01

IND 2350: Production Methods W02

 

Academic Experience

  • Yasar University, Industrial Design Dept., Assistant Professor- Head, 2013-2023
  • Izmir University of Economics, Industrial Design Dept., Assistant Professor, 2009-2013
  • Purdue University, Interior Design Dept., Assistant Professor, 2005-2006
  • Anadolu University, Interior Design Dept., Assistant Professor, 2004-2009
  • Oklahoma State University, Interior Design Dept., Teaching Assistant, 2000-2001
  • Marmara University, Interior Design Dept., Research Assistant, 1993-1994

 

Research Field and Design Projects

In his shop, which is a library for innovative materials, tools, and machines, Tolga Benli has recently begun experimenting with infusion techniques with epoxy resins, carbon fibers, aluminum and non- metallic materials like glass, plastics, and ceramic in his next generation of furniture. He is interested in additive and subtractive technologies in model making with 3D printable Biodegradable polymers and Photopolymerization and CNC machines for production.

Environmental Psychology, Designing urban furniture for public parks, playground equipment and planning playgrounds for children with disabilities his interest areas. Biomimicry is his other focus of interest while transforming forms into functional objects.