Dilara Kan Hon and Bodin Hon want to create objects that inspire awe. The life partners and co-founders of Istanbul- and Hong Kong–based studio Yellowdot are on a mission to elevate everyday life with elements of well-designed surprise. “Our inspiration comes from the beauty of nature, the creativity in art, the joy of fun and a sense of optimism,” Dilara tells Business of Home. “We want to uplift others through our designs, fostering understanding, creativity and connection in a world that values diversity and empathy.”
Both Dilara and Bodin have always been immersed in product design. The former was raised in Istanbul and spent her formative years honing her woodworking skills and studying interior design in college, while the latter grew up in Hong Kong playing inside the toy factories where his family worked, and eventually moved to the States for college and earned a degree in bioengineering before taking a job at NASA. “We were both driven by a desire to push our boundaries and create something different, which led us to pursue a master’s degree in product design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan—where we met,” explains Dilara. “[This] exposed us to the iconic works of the Italian design industry and the vibrant Milan Design Week, making it clear that our calling was to stay in the design field.”
In 2017—the same year they were married—the pair launched Yellowdot with the Memento collection, a selection of iridescent, handblown dome lamps and keepsake containers that evoke soap bubbles. “They symbolize the essence of capturing a moment,” says Dilara. “We later exhibited the series at SaloneSatellite in Milan and 2019 Paris Design Week, and created bubble-blowing sticks for flash drives that stored our media kit.”
Though playful in nature and appearance, function drives all of Yellowdot’s designs. Take Checkered, for instance: a hardwood bench crafted from a high-contrast mix of maple and cherry that allows it to moonlight as a chessboard. “We created a custom set of chess pieces from the leftover wood, so it becomes more than just a bench; it’s the perfect spot for impromptu games and making fun memories,” says Bodin.
Materials also play an important role in the duo’s work. For the Hatch collection—recently on display at the Hong Kong Design on Stage showcase at Maison&Objet—the pair collected discarded eggshells from homes and local bakeries and repurposed them into cool, kintsugi-esque finishes for pendant lights and an assortment of furniture pieces. “We carefully arranged each eggshell by hand, bonding them with resin into round discs suspended by three fine cables,” explains Bodin. “Our design emphasizes the eggshells’ strength and lightness, and emits a soft, mesmerizing glow when illuminated.”
More recently, Yellowdot collaborated with bespoke tile maker Gorbon on Patisserie, a line of confectionary-fueled objects, including ceramic wall tiles and stools adorned in scallops and pastel glazes. “The inspiration struck during our first visit to their ceramic tile factory,” says Bodin. “The giant kilns, mixers and intense heat reminded us of a bustling Parisian pastry kitchen in the morning, sparking the idea for a contemporary ceramics collection inspired by the colors and forms of pastries.”
Yellowdot’s Ova cabinet, clad in more than 500 hand-sewn balls fashioned from Turkish kutnu fabric, is currently on display for the “Creatures of Comfort” exhibit at the Odunpazari Modern Museum in Turkey, while the pair is hard at work on their upcoming launches. “Ultimately, our goal of design goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about creating meaningful stories and connections,” says Bodin. “Each piece is an opportunity to inspire, evoke emotions, and foster connections between people and their environments.”
If you want to learn more about Dilara Kan Hon and Bodin Hon, visit Yellowdot’s website or Instagram.
