Noise Removal in Building Documentation by Generative Adversarial Networks

In our day, it is possible to document existing buildings and transfer to digital medium in 3D owing to the advancements in the technology. In the course of this transfer, temporary, permanent or seasonal obstacles may reside between buildings and data capturing devices regardless of the method of data collection and as a result preventing the precise and correct documentation of the buildings. In the scope of this project, it is aimed to obtain high precision 3D models reflecting the real case of buildings with the utilization of deep learning based models to clear these obstacles which can be regarded as noise in the data autonomously. In this context, a method which the noise in building photos are autonomously detected and noise regions are inpainted with respect to the building for 3d reconstruction software from multiple photos is proposed. Semantic segmentation and generative adversarial networks based inpainting models are utilized in an end-to-end manner. The testing of the proposed method is conducted in both indoor spaces and building facades and the results revealed an increase in the precision of the 3D models with respect to the models obtained from unprocessed photos.

EU-Funded KPI Project from METU Design Factory: CoARA

We are proud to announce that METU Design Factory, an interdisciplinary R&D center operating under Middle East Technical University, has been selected for funding by the European Union to lead a pioneering initiative aimed at developing and piloting qualitative Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for research assessment in the creative industries.

The project will be implemented under the umbrella of METU Crea, focusing on three rapidly evolving creative sectors: new-generation filmmaking, game development, and wearable technologies. Leveraging the applied research capacity of METU Design Factory and its expertise in creative ecosystems, the initiative aims to establish a scalable and responsible model for evaluating creative research outputs.

In line with the principles of the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA), the project centers on qualitative evaluation methods, supported by the careful use of quantitative indicators. Through stakeholder workshops and collaborations with experts from Türkiye and various European countries, KPIs will be defined to reflect innovation, societal impact, and creative excellence.

These indicators will be tested through pilot implementations in selected research projects within METU Crea, accompanied by comprehensive training programs for researchers and evaluators. The project will also draw on methodologies and insights developed by CoARA working groups, contributing to the transformation of research assessment systems across Europe.

With the strong institutional support of METU and its academic community of over 2,500 faculty members, METU Design Factory continues to play an active role in shaping inclusive, impact-driven, and forward-looking research environments.

METU Crea II. Info Day @ Eskişehir

The "METU Crea Info Day 2 - Eskişehir" event was held on April 25, 2024, at Park Dedeman Eskişehir. It featured updates on the ECITE Project and METU Crea, providing valuable information to attendees which included small and medium-sized enterprises within the creative industries, industry workers, entrepreneurs, and students. These participants received insights into the latest developments in their sectors and the current state of the industry.

Following the opening session, attendees were invited to the specially designed concept space, Crea Café. This café facilitated the exchange of experiences and interactive discussions focused on the targeted sectors of Gaming, Next-Generation Filmmaking, and Wearable Technologies, as well as cross-sector entrepreneurship. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about METU Crea's sectoral services and the project application processes from academics and industry experts.

The event continued with the PROJECT Me activity, where entrepreneurs who applied had the opportunity to present their project proposals in front of an audience and a panel of judges. After their presentations, the entrepreneurs responded to questions from the judges and attendees.

“Story Begins…”

Within the scope of “ECITE: Emergence of Creative Industries and Transformation of Economy of Gaming, Wearables and New Generation Film Production” Project, co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye, and whose Contracting Authority is the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Beneficiary is the Middle East Technical University (METU), the first Info Day was organized on 16.02.2024 at CerModern in Ankara.
Creative sectors professionals, freelancers, and students from the fields of Gaming, New Generation Film Production and Wearable Technologies gathered at the “METU Crea Info Days – Ankara.”

Having delivered the opening speech of the event, the rector of Middle East Technical University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Verşan Kök stated that with ECITE Project and METU Crea, METU will home an important structure for enterprises and entrepreneurs and will provide consultancy and training opportunities on product development and commercialization by enhancing competitiveness and sustainability of creative sectors in global extent through the renewed infrastructure of METU Design Factory, TEKNOKENT ATOM and GISAM.

During the event, Project’s Team Leader Rasmus Wiinstedt Tscherning, the Director of METU Design Factory Prof. Dr. Arzu Gönenç Sorguç, Entrepreneur and Experience Designer Yakup Bayrak, and Project’s sectoral experts Dr. Leyla Türker Şener, Dr. Serkan Şavk and Nihat Baran Menteş delivered speeches and presentations.

METU Design Factory Hosts IDFW’23 and DFGN.R Conference II

METU Design Factory, an innovation center where researchers and students from various disciplines come together and work on new products and solutions, hosts an important organization in the fields of design, innovation, and collaboration. Within the International Design Factory Week (IDFW) that will take place between October 2-6, 2023, design factory representatives from many countries will convene at METU for workshops, training and new collaboration opportunities.

Design Factory Global Network (DFGN), comprising 39 design factories across 26 countries as members and promoting international cooperation efforts with a focus on education and innovation through events such as IDFW, gathers its 25 member design factories and nearly fifty representatives at METU Design Factory. The design factories that participate in this year’s event to discuss possible future collaborations and projects in addition to sharing their activities with others are listed below.

Design Factory Javeriana Bogotá (Colombia)
Design Factory Korea (South Korea)
Design Factory Melbourne (Australia)
Design Factory Shenkar (Israel)
DF London (England)
DF Pforzheim (Germany)
DF@Seunisa (Italy)
FORGE Design Factory (Ireland)
FusionPoint (Spain)
Future Design Factory (The Netherlands)
HAMK Design Factory (Finland)
Hannam Design Factory (South Korea)
iCubo UDD (Chile)
Ideasquare @CERN (Switzerland)
Inno.space (Germany)
Kyoto Design Lab (Japan)
Manchester Design Factory (England)
NYC Design Factory (United States of America)
Oper.Space (Italy)
Porto Design Factory (Portugal)
Sino-Finnish Centre (China)
St. John’s University Design Factory (United States of America)
University of Tartu Delta Sandbox (Estonia)
UPV: Generación Espontánea (Spain)

This year in its seventh iteration at the METU Design Factory, IDFW also includes the second international DFGN.R Conference, where diverse applications and educational insights from all over the world in the field of design and innovation are exchanged and explored. This year’s conference, themed “Design for Diversity,” will take place on October 5-6 in collaboration with the CERN IdeaSquare Journal of Experimental Innovation (CIJ), and selected research papers will be published in a special issue of this journal. Throughout the remainder of the week, you can get the updates regarding these exciting events by following the METU Design Factory and DFGN social media accounts, or by following the hashtags #IDFW2023 and #DFGNR. For detailed information and updates, you can also click on the links below.

DFGN.R Conference Website: https://www.conference.dfgn.org/
Conference Proceedings Book: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/123732
METU Design Factory Website: https://tf.metu.edu.tr/

ECITE KICK-OFF MEETING

Funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Technical Assistance for “ECITE: Emergence of Creative Industries and Transformation of Economy of Gaming, Wearables and New Generation Film Production” will be carried out in cooperation with METU Design Factory, METU GISAM and ATOM. The kick-off meeting with the partners of the project was held on 16.03.2023 at METU Culture and Congress Center.

METU Design Factory, host of IDFW ’23

The International Design Factory Week (IDFW), which will be held for the seventh time in 2023, is planned to be hosted by the METU Design Factory. IDFW is an event where design factories located in 35 different cities around the world come together every year to share their experiences and exchange ideas on potential collaborations and projects through various events and workshops held throughout the week, within the body of the Global Network of Design Factories (DFGN). The event is also a global event promoting the host design factory and the surrounding ecosystem.

Within the scope of the IDFW’23 organization, which will be hosted by the METU Design Factory in 2023, Aalto University Design Factories Global Network coordinators discussed the organization planning and existing infrastructures for 4 days between 14-17 November 2022. Various meetings were held, including the design factory, METU campus and technological infrastructures were introduced.

IDS-Spring ’21

Interdisciplinary Design Studio – Spring’21

(BA4148 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving)

10th Interdisciplinary Design Studio carried in the 2021-2022 spring semester continued by groups of interdisciplinary METU students to offer innovative solutions and ideas for real problems submitted by Vestel. Workshops following design thinking principles, seminars, and faculty members from different study fields sharing their experiences and knowledge were conducted throughout the term.

ICE

Learning to drive is a challenging process. Small mistakes can lead significant losses. For this reason, a driver who has just received their license is hesitant to drive vehicle. On the other hand, most of us do not have a car of our own when we get a license, and we have to use our parents’ vehicles. However, most of the time parents are reluctant to lend their vehicles to their children. We are fully aware of this situation. Novi takes drivers’ driving experience away from stress. It guides the driver while driving and presents the drivers’ movements as a report. Thanks to this, both novice drivers and their parents are able to follow the driving experience and driver can develop their driving skills in a calmer environment.

VIRIDIS

As Team Viridis, we come from different backgrounds but we meet on a common ground, the desire to make an impact on the world. In the status quo, the world is having two extremes. While millions are going to bed hungry every night, a drastic amount of food is being wasted. At the end of the day, both extremes are causing environmental issues. This was a great driving force for us. We started looking for where the largest amount of food waste is generated and found out that it is the household. To reduce the food waste in our homes we came up with an innovative, easy-to-use and impactful solution. Here we present you, your next generation food container, Viripot!

FUTURUM

We, as Futurum, aim to bring a sustainable circular economic perspective to the future of the electric vehicle charging stations. We focus on solving long waiting hours, finding and using the stations effectively, and solving problems with units and their surroundings. Fossil fuel stations are transformed into new “Kirpi” and implemented various solutions for detected problems. The futuristic and innovative design of Kirpi and mobile app is one step ahead of competetors.

IDS Spring’21 Closing Ceremony

The Interdisciplinary Design Studio, which was held for the 10th time in the spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year, ended with the closing event. Many valuable guests from academia and industry attended the closing event. DTS groups, consisting of students from different departments at METU, presented their innovative solutions that they had been working on throughout the semester. After the presentation and jury evaluations, the teams debated ideas with the participants about their work.

3 projects developed with the support of Vestel for this term;

“NOVI” prepared by the “ICE” team to to enhance the driving experience of novice drivers.
“KİRPİ” by the “FUTURUM” team, focused on designing an innovative electric charging station and improving the experience between the charging station and the user.
“VIRIPOT”, the new home appliance of the “VIRIDIS” that can prevent food waste.

IDS Spring 2021-2022 Applications are Open!

Interdisciplinary Design Studio (DTS) is a series of events consisting of various seminars, workshops and studio classes that support participants from different disciplines to work together. DTS, which is carried out with the coordination of the METU Design Factory and the mentorship of our professors from different departments, is a course designed with the partnership of industry and non-governmental organizations operating in different sectors, especially METU Technopolis.

DTS, called Interdisciplinary Problem Solving (BA148), will be held on Fridays between 09:00-12:30 as an open elective course to students from all departments in METU.

Author: wwwtdi