Product Design | Graduation Series 2025
For Laçin Felek (24), graduating from WdKA is about redefining what everyday design can be. Laçin brings a distinctly problem-solving approach to her work. Her graduation project focuses on something deceptively simple: the water bottle. But for Laçin, it’s much more than a functional object. It’s a lifestyle piece, a conversation starter, and a personal journey into materiality, form, and emotional connection.
Born in Turkey and raised in a family of architects, Laçin was surrounded by design thinking from a young age. But her path wasn’t always obvious. Before moving to the Netherlands, she was pursuing professional windsurfing. “I had to make a choice at some point between continuing with windsurfing as an athlete or focusing fully on design. In the end, surfing became more of a hobby, and I committed to studying in Rotterdam.”
Designing a Daily Ritual
Laçin’s graduation project is a series of stylish, wearable water bottles inspired by her own habits and the people around her. “I’m someone who forgets to drink water,” she laughs. “So I started thinking: how can I make water bottles more visible, more fun, more present in our daily lives?”
Her goal is to make bottles that double as functional fashion accessories: cross-body pieces you want to carry. Inspired by brands like Susan Bijl, she combines practicality with visual identity, aiming to turn hydration into an intentional part of someone’s look. “I like collecting things, especially when they’re made to last,” she says. “I wanted to design something you wouldn’t just throw away.”
From Sketches to the Factory Floor
The concept began simply with a massive piece of paper and a cloud of keywords. From there, Laçin began refining her focus through competitor research, a user survey, and a visit to a Turkish bottle manufacturer. That visit changed everything. “I met the designer responsible for the moldings,” she says. “I learned that just producing a mold costs over €10,000. It made me realize how high the stakes are for physical production.”
With support from her external partner - a Turkish factory open to mentoring and potentially producing her design - Laçin is navigating real-world limitations, including cost, materials, and production feasibility. For now, she’s working with 3D-printed prototypes and plans to use printed molds to simulate different forms and finishes.
Balancing Risk and Process
While developing a commercial product in just five months is no small feat, Laçin is grounded in her process. “Our school really emphasizes research, which is a relief,” she says. “It’s not just about producing a finished object. That gives me room to explore and fail.”
Still, bringing a product to market requires big decisions - especially financial ones. “Investing in actual manufacturing is risky when you don’t know if it’s going to sell. For now, I’m creating samples, testing out ideas. The production might come after graduation.”
A Shift in Mindset
Laçin’s journey from a rigid academic background in science high school to the open-ended environment of WdKA hasn’t been without challenges. “I didn’t know how to be free in my work at first,” she admits. “But here, I’ve learned how to tell my own story. Everyone’s so open. There’s no judgment, just support.”
She made full use of the academy’s facilities: testing materials in different stations, asking questions, and learning through experimentation. “The stations are incredibly well-equipped, and the people there are always willing to help. I tried everything.”
If she has one critique, it’s that she wishes there had been more theory in the later years. “Those early classes flew by, especially with internships and minors. I would’ve loved more structure in the second half.”
Looking Ahead
Post-graduation plans are still evolving. Laçin is focused on developing her water bottle concept further but doesn’t want to limit herself. “I admire designers like Philippe Starck, he doesn’t stick to one thing. That’s what I want too.”
While she dreams of having her own brand someday, she’s clear about one thing: she doesn’t want to work alone. “I love collaboration,” she says. “Even in sports, I loved working in teams. Brainstorming together energizes me. So maybe it won’t be a solo studio, but a brand built with others, that would be the dream.”
Advice for Future Designers
Her top advice? “Document everything. Be organized. I can go back to every project I’ve done in the past few years because I kept it all.” She also encourages students to explore beyond their major. “There’s so much happening outside the classroom: clubs, events, workshops. Don’t miss it.” And perhaps most importantly: "Be curious. Try things. You’ll be surprised of what you’re capable of."
