photo by José Tavares
Hello! I am Deniz Dayioglu (1987, Kütahya, Türkiye), currently based in Lisbon, where I completed my Master of Fine Arts in Drawing at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (FBAUL).
Inspired by my mother — an artist working in ceramics and traditional miniature — I studied graphic design at Marmara University in Istanbul.
For seven years, I worked as an art director in advertising agencies, creating visual content across print, digital, and social media platforms. My experience spans branding, identity, typography, packaging, and creative direction.
After years in the fast-paced world of advertising, I shifted my focus to illustration — where I now enjoy crafting stories through children’s books, editorial projects, and concept art.
I am always open to new collaborations — feel free to get in touch at dayioglu.deniz@gmail.com, or simply fill out the form below:
For seven years, I worked as an art director in advertising agencies, creating visual content across print, digital, and social media platforms. My experience spans branding, identity, typography, packaging, and creative direction.
After years in the fast-paced world of advertising, I shifted my focus to illustration — where I now enjoy crafting stories through children’s books, editorial projects, and concept art.
I am always open to new collaborations — feel free to get in touch at dayioglu.deniz@gmail.com, or simply fill out the form below:
Thank you!
EDUCATION
• Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa · MFA in Drawing · Sep 2021 - Feb 2024 · Lisbon, Portugal
Thesis project: A picturebook about migration for both children and adults: The Searcher
• Marmara University Institute of Fine Arts · MFA in Graphic Design · Class of 2018 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts · Graphic Design · Class of 2009 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Pera Fine Arts High School · Painting Department · Class of 2008 · Graduated highest-ranking student · Istanbul, Turkey
• Istituto per l'Arte e il Restauro Palazzo Spinelli · European Dimension in Training Basic Drawing Project · Certificate of achievement · European Community Education Youth Program · Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Pass Summer 2004 · Florence, Italy
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Freelance Illustrator & Art Director · Jul 2016 to present · Lisbon, Portugal
• 2D Artist & Art Director · Hammurabi Games · Jan 2019 - Dec 2024 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Senior Art Director · 4129 GREY · Apr 2012 - Jul 2016 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Art Director · McCann Erickson Istanbul · Dec 2009 - Mar 2011 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Creative Intern · Rafineri Advertising Agency · Jun 2007 - Jan 2008 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa · MFA in Drawing · Sep 2021 - Feb 2024 · Lisbon, Portugal
Thesis project: A picturebook about migration for both children and adults: The Searcher
• Marmara University Institute of Fine Arts · MFA in Graphic Design · Class of 2018 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts · Graphic Design · Class of 2009 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Pera Fine Arts High School · Painting Department · Class of 2008 · Graduated highest-ranking student · Istanbul, Turkey
• Istituto per l'Arte e il Restauro Palazzo Spinelli · European Dimension in Training Basic Drawing Project · Certificate of achievement · European Community Education Youth Program · Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Pass Summer 2004 · Florence, Italy
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Freelance Illustrator & Art Director · Jul 2016 to present · Lisbon, Portugal
• 2D Artist & Art Director · Hammurabi Games · Jan 2019 - Dec 2024 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Senior Art Director · 4129 GREY · Apr 2012 - Jul 2016 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Art Director · McCann Erickson Istanbul · Dec 2009 - Mar 2011 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Creative Intern · Rafineri Advertising Agency · Jun 2007 - Jan 2008 · Istanbul, Turkey
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS
• 40th Graphic Design Exhibition by the GMK · MSGSÜ Tophane-i Âmire · Oct 2021 · Istanbul
Deda Things selected for display in the Self-promotion Category
• Illustrators Platform 1th Group Exhibition · Kadikoy Baris Manco Kultur Merkezi · Dec 2019 · Istanbul
• The Rise of Grogu · Jediturk Chronicles III, Group Exhibition by Jediturk · Profilo Cinema Pink · Dec 2019 · Istanbul
• 37th Graphic Design Exhibition by the GMK · TMMOB Mimarlar Odasi · Nov 2018 · Istanbul
Don’t Panic selected for display in the Invitation & Greeting Card Design Category
Alexander the Dreamer selected for display in the Illustration Category
• Chewie Knows · Jediturk Chronicles II, Group Exhibition by Jediturk · Profilo Cinema Pink · May 2018 · Istanbul
• Happy Nest Istanbul Bookworm Mom Book Activities · Mar 2018 · Istanbul
• Ne Ola Yar Ola · Anatolian Rock Revival Project Group Exhibition · Souq Karakoy · Apr 2015 · Istanbul
• 40th Graphic Design Exhibition by the GMK · MSGSÜ Tophane-i Âmire · Oct 2021 · Istanbul
Deda Things selected for display in the Self-promotion Category
• Illustrators Platform 1th Group Exhibition · Kadikoy Baris Manco Kultur Merkezi · Dec 2019 · Istanbul
• The Rise of Grogu · Jediturk Chronicles III, Group Exhibition by Jediturk · Profilo Cinema Pink · Dec 2019 · Istanbul
• 37th Graphic Design Exhibition by the GMK · TMMOB Mimarlar Odasi · Nov 2018 · Istanbul
Don’t Panic selected for display in the Invitation & Greeting Card Design Category
Alexander the Dreamer selected for display in the Illustration Category
• Chewie Knows · Jediturk Chronicles II, Group Exhibition by Jediturk · Profilo Cinema Pink · May 2018 · Istanbul
• Happy Nest Istanbul Bookworm Mom Book Activities · Mar 2018 · Istanbul
• Ne Ola Yar Ola · Anatolian Rock Revival Project Group Exhibition · Souq Karakoy · Apr 2015 · Istanbul
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
• Hiii Illustration 2023 · Semi-finalist in the Children’s Book (Unpublished) category with The Searcher
• Report to Mom · Cannes Young Lions Turkey · 2015 Cyber Category · Second Pace
• Hiii Illustration 2023 · Semi-finalist in the Children’s Book (Unpublished) category with The Searcher
• Report to Mom · Cannes Young Lions Turkey · 2015 Cyber Category · Second Pace