Short Biography
- B.A.: Visual Arts & Visual Communication Design (VAVCD), 2014
- Minor: Art Theory and Criticism
- Previous Positions (last 5 years):
- Canva – Creative Lead, Türkiye & UK
- Apple – Interactive Designer
- AKQA (Rolls-Royce Motor Cars) – Senior Designer
- kyu Collective, UK & US – UI Designer
- Hugo & Cat, London – Senior Designer
- Holmes & Merchant, Singapore – Senior Designer
- Current Position: Independent Creative Designer, Mojo Eye Studio
- Location: London, United Kingdom
What exactly does your current work involve? What does a typical day look like?
I moved to London around five years ago and established my own studio, working on a project basis. I usually manage several projects simultaneously. For over four years, I have been leading Canva’s Turkey creative team, which consists of seven designers and copywriters working remotely. Recently, I also took on creative leadership for the UK market. In the coming days, I will be collaborating with Apple again as a project-based Interactive Designer.
My days typically begin with a good coffee and the right playlist, followed by reviewing my emails, messages, and task list. After that, the structure of my day depends entirely on my project workload.
How did the VAVCD education at Sabancı University contribute to your transition into professional life?
Definitely the multidisciplinary perspective. Being able to choose courses across different fields and draw from varied disciplines gave me the confidence to enter new areas and learn quickly throughout my career.
Did you enter this field directly after graduation, or how did your journey unfold?
I started my career as an Art Director at TBWA/Istanbul. Around the same time, I also worked with Apple’s creative agency, Media Arts Lab, which often required travel to the U.S. and the UK.
I loved designing brand identities from the ground up. At that time, boutique and niche studios weren’t as common. After leaving the agency environment, I began freelancing and forming small teams depending on the project needs. I took on a wide range of work—from brand identity and still-life photography to print design—regardless of scale.
Later, I moved to London. I worked on an interactive installation project with Atölye Istanbul, then spent a significant period at AKQA designing for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The role required motion design, so I learned it on the job.
Now, looking back after 11 years, I remember worrying about what I would do if I didn’t go into advertising. In hindsight, experimenting with different areas contributed the most to my creative path.
How did your research/creative production experience at Sabancı reflect in your current work?
Sabancı taught me to stay curious, to experiment, and to always approach my work with care. These are still my main working principles today.
What were your favorite courses at VAVCD, and why?
It’s hard to pick just one. I enjoyed the program and took more credits than required. If I could take courses again, I would choose:
- Erdağ Aksel’s Basic Design
- Onur Yazıcıgil’s Advanced Typography
- Zeynep Nevin Yelçe’s Classical Mythology
I also really miss the atmosphere of Zaremba’s studio courses—those intense Sunday nights at the dorm working until morning.
What advice would you give to current VAVCD students?
At the time, it felt like advertising was the only career path. I hope students today don’t feel that way. Don’t lose heart—through experimentation, you will find your direction. When you love what you do and work hard, success follows naturally. With skill and experience, it’s absolutely possible to achieve work on a global scale.
What would you say to a student who is considering VAVCD but is unsure?
I initially entered Sabancı as an Economics major and transferred to VAVCD after half a semester. Trying courses from different departments without preconceptions is invaluable. Two of the most talented students in drawing courses were engineering majors. Even taking a VAVCD course “just to try” changed the entire direction of my life and career. Considering how much time we spend working in our lives, doing something you truly enjoy is incredibly important.
How did your VAVCD education help you stand out in job interviews?
The strongest advantage was problem-solving. Whether it’s an ad campaign, interactive design, or product design—approaching each challenge with curiosity and adaptability is key. The mindset of “Let me try” and “I can figure this out” has always worked in my favor.
And when I am hiring, seeing a Sabancı VAVCD graduate is meaningful because I immediately understand the type of mindset and foundation they’ve been trained with.
Did your relationship with your professors continue after graduation?
Yes. I stayed in touch with Onur and Elif after graduation. I had worked with ISType while I was a student and continued following their work afterward. I also had the chance to exhibit my graduation project at Sabancı’s Kasa Gallery with Elif’s support. Their encouragement in the areas we were passionate about meant a lot.