I'm Lara Divris Fernandez, a designer, facilitator, creator, and storyteller with an MSc in Industrial Design from Istanbul Technical University. I co-founded Pley Studio and work as a lecturer at Istanbul Bilgi University. My practice spans industrial and graphic design, product development, and design education; I explore sustainable toy design, play-based learning, illustration, and creative storytelling to empower children and professionals alike.…

Lara Divris Fernandez

I'm Lara Divris Fernandez, a designer, facilitator, creator, and storyteller with an MSc in Industrial Design from Istanbul Technical University. I co-founded Pley Studio and work as a lecturer at Istanbul Bilgi University. My practice spans industrial and graphic design, product development, and design education; I explore sustainable toy design, play-based learning, illustration, and creative storytelling to empower children and professionals alike.…

Available to hire

I’m Lara Divris Fernandez, a designer, facilitator, creator, and storyteller with an MSc in Industrial Design from Istanbul Technical University. I co-founded Pley Studio and work as a lecturer at Istanbul Bilgi University.

My practice spans industrial and graphic design, product development, and design education; I explore sustainable toy design, play-based learning, illustration, and creative storytelling to empower children and professionals alike.

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Language

Turkish
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Part-Time Facilitator at Arkki Türkiye
November 30, 2023 - September 3, 2025
Facilitated design workshops with children to develop creative skills, applying innovative pedagogical approaches from September 2021 to November 2023, and continuing with a full-time position from April 2024.
Full Time Lecturer at İstanbul Bilgi University
April 1, 2023 - Present
Co-lecturer and instructor for various studio and core design courses including Basic Design I&II, Industrial Design Studio II, History of Cultures and Ideas, Introduction to Design, Visual Storytelling for Designers, and Play for Design.
Designer and Co-Founder at Pley Studio
January 1, 2022 - Present
Industrial Design & Workshop Design; co-founded studio focusing on design pedagogy and applied design projects.
Lead Designer and Co-Founder at Pley Studio
January 1, 2022 - Present
Co-founded Pley Studio, focusing on Industrial Design and Workshop Design. Involved in creative design projects and workshop facilitation since January 2022.
Part-Time Facilitator at Arkki Türkiye
September 1, 2021 - November 1, 2023
Design workshops with children; design pedagogy and play-based learning.
Product Design Intern at Studio Flaer
September 1, 2019 - February 29, 2020
Completed a Erasmus+ product design internship from September 2019 to February 2020.
Product Design Intern at Ali Bakova Design Office
July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017
Interned in product design from June 2017 to July 2017 gaining hands-on industry experience.

Education

MSc Degree at İstanbul Technical University
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor's Degree at İstanbul Bilgi University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019
Master of Science in Industrial Design at Istanbul Technical University
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design at Istanbul Bilgi University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019

Qualifications

Kartell+ and Domus Academy Scholarship
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Yıldız Technical University Environmental Toy Design Contest Award
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Design Week Turkey Project: Curl
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
PASS AGEN Designer Fair Project: Curl
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Studio X Project: 20/20 Vision
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
ATÖLYE Bomontiada Project: 20/20 Vision
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Gastronomy Design Project: Curl
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Ters Yüz Project: Octop
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020

Industry Experience

Education, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Consumer Goods, Media & Entertainment, Other
    Portfolio: Lara Divris Fernandez
    This is my portfolio where you can see my design work and graphic knowledge. Recent design projects may be find in my co-founded company Pley's instagram account. Please feel free to contact me! portfolio design graphic…