My Expertise
Industrial Design, Inclusive and accessible Design, Universal Design, Design for Old Age, Co-design and Participatory Design methods, Design Research Methods, Design & Emotion, Emapthy, Product Semantics & Design Language.
Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Industrial and product design, Design, Interaction and experience design, Ergonomics design, Design practice and methods, Other built environment and designSEO tags
Biography
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I have always believed that design is at its best when it is created with people, not just for them. As a Professor of Industrial Design at UNSW, my passion lies in co-design, inclusive design, and designing for an aging population—ensuring that the products and environments we interact with every day are not just functional but truly improve quality of life.
My journey into design was not linear. Born in Turkey to a diplomat father and a mother who dreamed of being a painter, I grew up across France, Lebanon, Yugoslavia, Italy, Turkey, and Switzerland. This multicultural upbringing gave me a deep appreciation for different ways of living, thinking, and creating. Initially drawn to biology, I soon realised my true calling was in industrial design, thanks to an uncle who saw something in me before I did. I pursued my studies at METU, graduating as faculty valedictorian—a testament to my parents' unwavering focus on education.
Throughout my career, I have been drawn to people-centred design, particularly in addressing the challenges of aging. I hold two PhDs, both exploring how older adults can actively shape the design of everyday objects. My first PhD combined Quality Function Deployment (QFD) with participatory design, creating structured frameworks for user-driven innovation. The second was more hands-on, working directly with older adults as co-designers to develop door handles and seating solutions tailored to their needs. These experiences reinforced my belief that great design starts with deep listening and genuine collaboration.
At UNSW, I have taken on leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Education, Faculty of Built Environment (2013-2017); Discipline Director, Industrial Design (2006-2009); and Program Director, Master of Industrial Design & Master of Science (Industrial Design) (2002-2005). I also led the development of UNSW’s first Built Environment MOOC, Re-Enchanting the City, which became one of the top-ranked urban and interior design courses for career advancement in 2017. It has since been integrated into the university’s curriculum, reaching students beyond traditional design disciplines.
My personal experiences also inform my work in profound ways. Since 2008, I have been a caregiver for my husband, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Witnessing firsthand the challenges of neurodegenerative conditions has deepened my understanding of the emotional and physical barriers that people face as they age. This has reinforced my commitment to designing for dignity, accessibility, and well-being—not just as an academic pursuit but as a deeply personal mission.
Beyond academia, I bring a European design perspective, a love for design research, and even a background in jewellery design. But at the heart of everything I do is a simple idea: design should make life better—more accessible, more inclusive, and more meaningful. Whether through teaching, research, or industry collaborations, I am committed to ensuring that the future of design is shaped by the people who use it.
My Grants
Evidence-based applied research and usability testing to inform the design of future CPAP products. Arts, Design and Architecture (ADA) Faculty Research Grants Scheme, 2023. (Demirbilek O.) $7,004.
Learning and Teaching Digital Uplift Innovation Grants, 2018, (Demirbilek O.) $10,000.
Breville Product Semantics Project, Industry Contract Research, 2018, (Demirbilek O., Mintzes, A., Sunstrum, F.), $16,523.
Breville Product Semantics Project Pilot, Industry Contract Research, 2018 (Demirbilek O., Mintzes, A.) $18,002.
Digital Future Lab – Digital Fabrication for Prototyping in Architecture and Product Design: 5-axis CNC mill, Collaborative robot arm, electronics workstations, 2015, (Matthias H., Demirbilek O., Russell L., Ward S., Park M., Matthias I., Rosenberg E., Araullo R., Hespanhol L., Dunn K., Velonaki M., Tschaut F., Furber B., Wimbourne M.), $443,929. (application submitted, which prompted the faculty to purchase other machines and redirect the funds to the BE Design Lab Director).
Design and architecture practice research: contemporary PhD (DAP_r), 2015, Lead by the Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at RMIT, and where O’Callaghan, J. and Demirbilek, O. are representing UNSW. OLT Innovation and Development grant, $497,000. Link to all DAP_r Partners: http://dap-r.info/partners
Novel pressure sensing surface system. 2014. UNSW Major Research Equipment & Infrastructure Scheme. ( Bridge, C.E.; Judd, B., Lowe, R.; Demirbilek, O. R., Ward, S., Sweatman, P., Davey, S., and Mintzes, A.), $225,000.
Major Research Equipment and Infrastructure Initiative, 2013 (MREII 2014) Digital Fabrication for the Construction Industry to Deliver Digital Architecture in Australia. (Haeusler, H., Demirbilek, O., Lowe, R., Ward, S., and Park, M.), not submitted but transferred to an internal BE Faculty Grant, $210,533.
Livable bathrooms for older people: designing out dependence in activities of daily living. 2012. ARC Linkage Grant - Partner: Caroma. (Bridge, C.E.; Judd, B., Lowe, R.; Demirbilek, O. R., Peng, G.; Ward, S., and Cummings, S.), $446,000.
Exploring developments in 3D printing/scanning: juxtaposing with traditional manufacturing methods to produce a range of digitally fabricated customizable objects. 2012. FBE Internal Grant. (Demirbilek, O. R., and Carnemolla, P.), $15,735.
UNSW Major Research Equipment & Infrastructure Scheme grant 2009: ‘State of the art high tech three-dimensional scanning and printing equipment for the FBE Design Research Lab’ (Demirbilek, O. R., Ward, S., Park, M., Fowkes, A. and Lowe, R), $219,500.
UNSW Major Research Equipment & Infrastructure Scheme grant 2008: ‘High-tech equipment for developing and fitting out the FBE Experimental Design & Research Lab (FBE ED&R Lab)’ (Demirbilek, O. R., Máté K., Carthey J., Fletcher, G., Lowe, R., Spehar, B. and Longbottom, C.), $150,000.
FBE Funding for Research Cluster Initiatives 2007, ‘Encouraging Sustainable Consumption in Urban Communities: Designing Future Scenarios for Product Sharing Facilities’, (Demirbilek, O. R., Ramirez, M., and Nawangpalupi, C.), $5,000.
AHURI 2007: ‘ The Efficient Use of Dwellings and Land by Older Home Owners. Unpacking scale for the different design professions: understanding the various representations and misrepresentations of human scale’ (Judd, B., Olsberg, D., Demirbilek, O. R., and Quinn, J.), $208,887.
FBE Faculty Research Grants Program 2007: ‘Understanding the Self-Directed Research Process in the Graduation Year in All UG Programs Within the Faculty of the Built Environment’ (Demirbilek, O. R., Katrina, S.), $4,000.
UNSW 2005 Learning and Teaching Awards 2005: ‘Equipment and cutting-edge hardware to facilitate the faculty’s multi-disciplinary research projects using interviewing, focus group sessions, and oral history’ (Quinlan, A., Corkery L., Marshall, N., Starfield, S., Evans, C., Demirbilek, O. R., Watson, B., and Zhou, P.), $14,961.
FBE research infrastructure block grant 2004 (Dunn, K., Gibson, C., Shaw, W., Thompson, S., and Demirbilek, O. R.), $13,938.
My Qualifications
Graduate Certificate in University Learning & Teaching (UNSW)
PhD Interior Architecture & Environmental Design (Bilkent)
PhD Product Design (Marmara)
Masters of Science in Building Sciences (METU)
Bachelor of Industrial Design (METU)
My Awards
Cite International des Arts residency in Paris UNSW/COFA 2012: creative arts research project on sacred geometry and wearable designs
Runner-up, Young Designer of the Year Award 2000, Sydney Morning Herald
Finalist, Designex’99 Symbol Design Competition, Istanbul 1999
2nd prize, SISECAM Decorative Glass Pane Competition, Istanbul 1998
Honourable Mention, SISECAM Decorative Glass Pane Competition, Istanbul 1998
1st prize, Ministry of Forestry, National Emblem Design Competition, Ankara 1993.
My Research Activities
My research is driven by a passion for making design more intuitive, inclusive, and meaningful for everyone. I focus on two key areas:
- Co-designing with real users – I work directly with people through participatory co-design methods, ensuring that products, product-service systems, and environments are not just functional but truly accessible and user-friendly. A key focus of my research is making life more physically and emotionally comfortable as people age, ensuring that design adapts to diverse needs and abilities.
- Understanding how people perceive design – I explore how individuals interpret the design language of products and brands, uncovering the subconscious cues that shape our experiences with everyday objects.
At the heart of my work is empathy and the belief that accessibility and inclusion should be the norm, not the exception. My goal is to make inclusive design mainstream—embedding it into design thinking rather than treating it as an afterthought.
My expertise spans design research methods, product semantics, design language, inclusive and accessible design, universal design, and participatory co-design. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, including Breville, and Caroma Industries, to bring these ideas to life in real-world applications. You can read more about my latest project with Breville here.
Beyond academia, I love exploring the intersection of craftsmanship and technology. My design work includes hand-making and 3D printing/manufacturing, and I have created lamps, glass, ceramic vases, pot designs, and geometric jewellery—each piece reflecting my fascination with form and materiality.
For me, design is more than just creating objects—it’s about shaping a more inclusive, thoughtful, and beautifully functional world for everyone.
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
Design for Old Age; Inclusive and accessible Design; Universal Design; Co-design and Participatory Design; Design Research Methods; Empathy; Emotion Driven Design; Design Language and Product Semantics
Currently supervising
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Ongoing 2022-cont. |
Jie Meng PhD. Friction with New Technologies: Designing Future Daily Products that Make Older People Feel Valued (Main supervisor, jointly with Demet Dincer). |
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2021-cont. |
Farnaz Fattahi PhD. Artist/Architect/Activist - Choreographing Scenarios of Collective Interaction. Art, Design & Built Environment, Sydney (Joint supervisor with Ainslie Murray). |
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2020-cont. |
Danielah Martinez PhD. Towards Inclusive Aging: Examining the impact of Critical Design. Art, Design & Built Environment, Sydney (Joint supervisor with Katherine Moline). |
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2020-cont. |
David Schlosner PhD. Enhancing Medical Data's potential through Systematic Product Design. School of Built Environment, Sydney (Main supervisor with Gonz Portas). |
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Successfully completed 2018-22 |
Frederique Sunstrum PhD. Self-conceptual perceptions on design language semantics: a case study on kitchen appliances in a cultural context. School of Built Environment, Sydney (Main supervisor, jointly with Nicole Gardner). |
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2012-19 |
Peter Sweatman PhD. Evidence-based bathroom product design: creative liveable bathroom environments for older people. Faculty of the Built Environment, Sydney (Co-supervisor with Catherine Bridges). |
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2017-21 |
Farzad Heyrani Master by Research. Assessing Contemporary Art Museums in Australia in terms of Interior Design Circulation and Success in Conveying Messages to Visitors. School of Built Environment, Sydney (Main supervisor, jointly with Bruce Watson). |
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2012-15 |
Phillippa Carnemolla PhD. Enabling built environments: Home modification as a substitute for community care. Faculty of the Built Environment, Sydney (Co-supervisor with Catherine Birdge). |
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2008-13 |
Li Xian PhD. E-waste and e-product life span in China UNSW, Faculty of the Built Environment, Industrial Design Program, Sydney (Joint supervision with Miles Park). |
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2005-09 |
Catharina Nawangalupi PhD. Investigating the usability and the pleasurability of sustainable product-service systems. UNSW, Faculty of the Built Environment, Industrial Design Program, Sydney (Main supervisor, with Mariano Ramirez). |
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2003-13 |
Joanne Quinn PhD. A Home for All Ages: Design of the Home Environment for an Ageing Australian Population. UNSW, Faculty of the Built Environment, Industrial Design Program, Sydney (Main supervisor). |
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1999-01 |
Esra Demirel Masters by Research. Solutions and modifications towards design deficiencies of modular kitchens in Turkey: Kayseri as a case study. Master by research. Middle East Technical University. Esra started with Oya in 1999, and when Oya moved to Sydney, she became a Joint supervisor for Esra’s thesis. |
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2000-05 |
Supervised 22 Master of Science and Master of Industrial Design by Coursework thesis (21 of them have completed successfully). |
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2000-21 |
Supervised 76 Industrial Design Honours Thesis for the Bachelor of Industrial Design Embedded Honours as the sole supervisor. |
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My Engagement
Professional Engagement
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COVID-19 Design Taskforce - Good Design Awards, member Ambassador for Good Design Australia The Design Society Member since 2015 IFA International Federation on Ageing Member since 2013 Design Institute of Australia Member since 2012 Premier Design Awards - 2019, Jury Member Australian Design Awards - 2018, 2019, 2022, Invited Jury Member Invited International Independent External Reviewer for Promotion & Tenure of Academic Staff, School of Art, Design & Media, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2017, 2011, and 2010). Australian Design Awards - James Dyson Award – First Round Internet Shortlisting. 2009, 2011, Jury Member Turkey Industrial Design Awards. Istanbul December 5-9. 2010, Invited International Jury Member. Peer Reviewer - 2010 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluations, Sydney, 2010, 2013. Industrial Design Educators National Network in Australia, member IDNN since 2007 Invited Advisory Committee Member for the assessment of Good Design and the establishment of a Good Design Award in Turkey, ETMK - Industrial Designers’ Society of Turkey. 2006 - 2007 External Examiners for the Temasek Design School, Singapore 24 February - 2 March 2007 Technical Committee Member of the International Ergonomics Association on Affective Design, 2006-10 Invited 'expert assessor of international standing' to assess application(s) on behalf of the Australian Research Council under the peer review process for the Discovery-Projects Scheme for funding, since 2004 (cont.) Member of the Include Network, Royal College of Art, London/UK since 2004 Member of the European Academy of Design, Salford/UK, since 2001 Member of CIB/TG19: Designing for the Ageing Society, Building Research Institute, Tatehara/Japan, since 1998 Reviewer for many international journals and Conferences (including Journal Architectural Science Review, Ergonomics, Applied Ergonomics, International Journal of Design [IJDesign], METU Journal of Architecture (JFA)) Public Lectures & Keynotes Keynote speaker “Inclusive and Participatory Design” at the 5th UTAK National Design Research Conference, UTAK2022 Design and Pluralism, 14-15 September 2022, in Ankara, Turkey. https://utak.metu.edu.tr/ UNSW Meet the Professors series, 18 September 2019 "Better life in cities for all with accessible and inclusive design" Meeting of the Minds monthly professorial talks series, Wednesday, 5 June "How can industrial design contribute to the design of better cities for all?" Utzon Lecture Series 2016, Public Lecture, Colliding Worlds: Health, Well Being, Design and Built Environments, August 2016 COFA Talks: Art, Design and Healing. May 3, 2011. In the Media Podcast guest, 2021, Talking Architecture & Design, hosted by Branko Milic. Episode 83: Oya Demirbilek on how co-design & technology are changing designs for aging in place. Ben Knight, 15, 09, 2019. Open Forum (.com.au) Designing for people MirageNews, 06, 09, 2019 People-centric approach to design is key to enhancing standards of living Stephanie Stefanovic, 06, 09, 2019. Architecture & Design Oya Demirbilek: Co-design is the key to higher living standards Career FAQs, 2017, Providing career guides for every industry, career and occupation, Oya Demirbilek - Associate Dean (Education) at UNSW Built Environment UNSW Built Environment Youtube Channel: "Enhancing standards of living through industrial design", researcher profile video. Stephen Matchett, Make a wish for research infrastructure, UNSW’s constructive MOOC, Campus Morning Mail, Hard Facts and Insider Analysis, July 21, 2016 Margie Sheedy. Where the jobs are for postgraduates. The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23, 2014. Jeshua Johnston, 2014. IC Central - The Value of Software Certification – Revit case study, UNSW, Faculty of Built Environment. Video interview, August 2014. Included in the Virtual Design Museum of Industrial Design Turkey since 2011 - This is an initiative aimed at creating a memory on Turkey’s industrial design. 24 Hours - The Arts Diary - Exhibition. The Sydney Morning Herald, February 1, 2012, p. 9. "Lab talk / FBE Design Lab – Factory of the mind". 2010. Uniken, Issue 58, Sept./Oct. Sydney: UNSW. p. 2. "Learning the ropes". 2008. Curve Magazine, special issue on Design Education, October Issue 25, pp. 30-33. Viviane Stappmanns, 2008. Working the space. Discover Peugeot – Driven, July 2008. Packer S. 2008. Welcome to the office of the Future. Future Living. Spring 2008. "Opinions of leading design figureheads for the australiandesign.org initiative" - Australian International Design Awards, August 2008. Australian Design Awards, 2008. 50th-year Yearbook. p. 166-167. Australian Design Awards Yearbook. 2007. p. 90-91. Interview with Stephen Lacey. 2007. The interview has been published in “Fresh Heirs: design students are leading the way with cutting edge creations - Looking at the institutions shaping them” The Sun-Herald. July 1, pp. 8-9. Interview with Career FAQs for the “Industrial Design” book. 2007. Michelle Hespe, Teaching NSW/ACT- Career FAQs Pty Ltd. and also featured on their website. Interviewed for the Oral History Program: “Female Designers” at the Middle East Technical University, 2004. Ankara, Industrial Design Program in December. “Universal Design and Accessibility in Design”. 2002. The Comfort Zone. ABC Radio National (Australia). Interview by Catherine Freyne, Journalist. 10 October 2002, Sydney. “Milan Furniture Exhibition and UNSW student works exhibited” 2001. WM magazine (Australia). Interview by Clare Masters, Journalist. 7 August 2001, Sydney. TASA... Magazine No:3. News section about the winner of the Logo Design Competition for the Ministry of Forestry in Turkey. Endüstriyel Tasarımcılar Meslek Kuruluşu Yayın Organı. 1994 “Special Design Considerations Regarding the Elderly Population in Turkey”, 1998. interview by M. Nisancioglu from BBC World Service, 4 November 1998, Ankara. |
My Teaching
I teach industrial design studio, human factors in design, and design research methods.
I had the privilege of spearheading “Re-Enchanting the City”—the first Built Environment MOOC on FutureLearn (2013–16). This groundbreaking course captivated 9,169 participants from 60 countries and earned top rankings for advancing urban, landscape, and interior design careers. Since 2017, it has evolved into UNSW's General Elective course, BENV2000, where I continue to inspire and engage the next generation of design innovators.
Contact
Publications
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2248-0482
Videos
During the Stories Behind Products, industrial designers from the national and international stage will talk about their design journey through a single product. The talks will focus on real-life product stories, where presenters will uncover the story of one specific product undertaken by them. The stories will include why the product was made, the product development process and its nitty-gritty, the struggles, the highs and lows, the failures and the lessons, and maybe some of the changes these products have made to people’s lives.
Watch the other talks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyr4dwd9H42vKsjNSvIH2HA
The aims of the Online Teaching Symposium 2020 organised by the Faculty of Built Environment (BE) were to:
• Provide BE teaching staff with practical guidance and support in delivering courses online in Terms 2 & 3 for 2020;
• Engage and provide constructive dialogue around online teaching practices in the BE context;
• Provide professional development around the educational practice.
• Develop and debate educational agenda and strategies to ensure the delivery of high-quality online education;
• Provide a foundation for future conversations around the educational practice, collaboration and support amongst teaching staff.
Emotions are forces that help us make sense of the world, and as such, are a central component of what makes us experience life. Emotions make us human and influence our thoughts, behaviour, experiences, and relationship with the world. In a physical world that is now colliding with the new digital world, design is gaining ever more importance. This will be illustrated with examples of design for well-being, happiness, and health; together with some of the unexpected side effects. This lecture will also offer a glimpse of what is to come in the future, with the latest technological advances.
https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/news/people-centric-approach-design-key-enhancing-standards-living
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/re-enchanting-the-city
