Written by Get inspired: hear from previous winners of the Autodesk Designathon student competition
We’re in year three of the Designathon. Tomas Karlsson at KnowledgePoint recently caught up with two of the winners from Designathon 2023 to find out how the experience has shaped their journeys.
Ahmet Kaya and Ömer Kağan Yılmaz were studying Manufacturing Engineering at Gazi University in Türkiye when they achieved success with Team Ying Yang during the international competition in 2023.
What have you been doing since the Designathon?
Ahmet: I’ve been working on four personal projects and continuing my studies. One area I’m focused on is electric vehicle safety—developing intervention methods in case of fires.
Ömer: I’ve completed two internships, and published two research papers alongside two personal projects. Right now, I’m working on ceramic design for armoured vehicle protection as a Platform R&D Engineer at Nurol Technologies.
Looking back, what stood out most from your Designathon experience?
Ahmet: It was how discovering good ideas and implementing them was stronger when shared as a team. Working with Ömer, we saw how our imagination expanded as we brought ideas to life.
Ömer: The most valuable thing was realising our imagination can get powerful as we do, as we make and create.
How did working as a team shape your skills?
Ahmet: Ömer and I were a perfect team. After the Designathon, we both joined a team developing an electric car and used Autodesk Fusion to create a sports car shell. Both in the Designathon and this project we experienced how to bring different ideas together to achieve better results.
Ömer: Agreed – we really synced as a team. In Designathon and the electric car project, we learned the benefit of fusing two ideas – we got better results in the end. I learnt that it’s important to trust your team’s ideas.
Have you applied what you learned in your studies or careers?
Ömer: Having a teamwork-based project like this on your CV can really help when applying for roles. And learning to use AI-generated parts and advanced features in Autodesk Fusion has helped me come up with modern solutions, bringing new vision to parametric designs.
Ahmet: Definitely. Adding teamwork-based success to your CV has been a huge advantage when applying for team-oriented positions. The Designathon helped me bring innovative perspectives to classic parametric designs. It’s even improved efficiency in my R&D projects.
How are you using Autodesk Fusion in your current work?
Ahmet: I use it daily. When I first started using Autodesk Fusion, I thought I would only use it for complex projects. Now it’s become indispensable—beyond modelling, I run manufacturing simulations, test designs virtually, and produce professional renderings.
Ömer: Same here. I need to make render images of complex surface designs with lots of detail and dimensional properties. I can safely say Fusion is my go-to CAD tool for everything from basic to complex designs.
Did the Designathon influence your future direction?
Ömer: It confirmed that my 3D design hobby could be part of my career. Winning a global competition made me believe in my abilities early in my career.
Ahmet: Without a doubt. 3D design has been an interest since I was a child. Success in the Designathon boosted my confidence and helped turn my hobby with 3D printing into a business.
What lasting impact has the Designathon had?
Ahmet: It helped me hold on to my dreams. Now, things that were once dreams are becoming tangible—such as starting and managing my own enterprise.
Ömer: Thanks to the Designathon I have a design-based job, and I’m planning this to go on like this. It showed me that creativity has real-world value. That was a huge confidence boost.
And finally, what advice would you give to future Designathon participants?
Ömer: Don’t be afraid to experiment and trust your team. It is not just a competition, it is a chance to grow, learn and create something meaningful.
Ahmet: Remember, the only thing holding you back is yourself. First dream, take a step, and surround yourself with people who believe in you. Prove yourself!
The Designathon wasn’t just a competition for Ahmet and Ömer—it has acted as a catalyst for their careers. Their journeys show how imagination, teamwork, and the right tools can turn ideas into impact.
Inspired by Ahmet and Ömer? Sign up for Designathon 2025 today!
Our third edition of the Designathon is now open for entries. Like previous versions, Designathon 2025 combines learning with competition—you will develop Autodesk Fusion skills as well as compete for prizes against other student teams.
- The first day focuses on modelling with Autodesk Fusion.
- The second day puts these skills to the test in a team-based challenge where participants respond to an industrial design problem. The competition emphasises originality, creativity, and model integrity, with prizes for the top teams.
To register a team for the Designathon on 27-28 June 2025, visit the registration page here.