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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Part-Time Facilitator at Arkki Türkiye
September 1, 2021 - November 1, 2023
Design workshops with children; design pedagogy and play-based learning.

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
    paper 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…