Good People of vitruta: Mert Ziyal

Welcome, Mert, to Good People of vitruta! Let’s start with our classic question: Who is Mert Ziyal? How did it all begin, how is it continuing, and what is he doing?

Thank you, dear vitruta! I appreciate it. I was born in Istanbul in 1993, and I spent my time until moving to New York for university surrounded by the sea and boats. This interest in boats led me to become an industrial designer. Receiving academic painting education from painter Feza Tolgay in high school greatly impacted me and drew me to art. After completing my education at Parsons SCE in New York, I had the opportunity to work with the great Gaetano Pesce, which taught me incredible lessons. Perhaps the most important one was that regardless of what job one does, one should always be in a state of change and not take oneself or one’s work too seriously. After my military service, I returned to Istanbul and designed boats for a while. Currently, I am working with a very young designer who makes furniture for galleries in New York and Paris. Additionally, I am designing my own products and, recently, I am involved with our new brand, Toka Matcha, alongside my partners.

If you’d like, let’s start by talking about industrial designer Mert.

After moving to Istanbul, I worked for a while with Rıza Tansu, whom I really admire and love. After leaving his side, I worked with a design company on refit projects, and I soon realized that I didn’t enjoy this work as much as boat design. Currently, alongside working with a designer, I am trying to bring my own experimental designs to life. I find it stressful to stick solely to aesthetic perception or ergonomic norms in my own work. I enjoy pushing people out of their comfort zones and making them think, progressing more with a "adapt or leave" philosophy in life.

What inspires you when you’re designing? What do you draw from?

I used to be very accustomed to the chaotic environment that New York provided, and I fed off it. Istanbul isn’t much different; juggling various tasks keeps me alert and curious, preventing my experimental side from dulling. Alongside this, I take a lot of spiritual training and meditate to keep myself balanced.

Of course, in addition to your identity as a designer, you also have an entrepreneurial identity. How did your currently successful brand, Toka Matcha, come to life?

Although I don’t like to talk about it much, matcha saved my life! The matcha I brought from Japan helped me recover my health very quickly after a severe motorcycle accident. After a brain hemorrhage, it helped me eliminate the edema and restored my vision and life. This couldn’t be a coincidence. My partner and I believed in this miracle, and we entered a business we had no prior knowledge of, but everything went well. We are very excited about the fact that our brand will soon be available in Europe after Turkey and the USA.

It’s not a very common story for matcha, which we know from Japanese culture, to be produced in Turkey and to become a Turkish brand. I would love to hear more about that.

Unfortunately, matcha is not well-known or loved in Turkey yet. I attribute this to matcha's inability to integrate into the culture like black tea or Turkish coffee. Another reason is its promotion by dietitians as a weight-loss herbal remedy. Recently, almost all third-wave coffee shops have started adding matcha to their menus. Gradually, people are becoming more aware of it. In fact, our story is quite long; those who are curious can read the interview with Ece Erel. Our goal is to break the perception that "good matcha from Japan is expensive" and to make it a democratic product that everyone can enjoy. This is our aim worldwide!

Now, let’s talk about Mert’s daily life. What does he do, what influences him, and what is he pursuing?

People describe me as energetic and excited. However, contrary to what is seen from the outside, I am a very spiritual and calm person in my private life. I have had an unchanged meditation routine for years, both in the morning and in the evening. Recently, with the active meditation training I have taken, this has intensified even more. These practices help me direct my energy much more efficiently and smoothly. I can say I love extremes. I love change and draw from it. When I'm calm, I'm very zen, and when I'm active, I'm very social.

What books, movies, or series would you recommend that have influenced you and that you'd like to share with us?

I would definitely recommend the 2016 documentary Burden, about my soul twin, the artist Chris Burden, whom I greatly admire. Additionally, Tom Sachs’ short film Tea Ceremony has had a profound impact on me, especially since it was shot at the Noguchi Museum! I would also recommend Ten Bullets by Tom Sachs, which has significantly influenced my life and studio ethics. And I can't forget to mention the film Samsara, directed by Ron Fricke.

Lastly, could you tell us your top three favorite brands from vitruta? :)

From my skateboarding days in New York, I can’t live without Vans! For my workshop life, I love Dickies and their amazing coveralls. And of course, Carhartt WIP!