I spent my childhood in Kutahya, a Turkish city famous for its handicrafts, mostly for its special tiles. My mother has been working on tiles and miniatures for a very long time. The main repetitive pattern in my childhood was to watch my mother perform her art and to carefully look at the shop windows filled with tiles of colorful patterns on my way to school. 
After graduating from Istanbul Pera High School of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, at the top of my class, I started to study Graphic Design at Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts. In my last year at the university, I worked as an intern art director at Rafineri, a prominent advertising agency in Turkey. My journey in advertising agencies continued after graduation. After 7 years of high paced and productive works, I took a radical decision to resign from the advertising agency and to continue my career as a freelancer so that I could build a more balanced routine and have more time to work on my dreams. Since 2016, I have been working as a freelance illustrator and designer. 
As you may see in my portfolio, I have been producing in a broad spectrum of media and style - from interactive design to children’s books. As a fan of the Disneyesque style, my works are inherently colorful, detailed and playful, which works so well for children’s books and satisfies me as an artist. On the other hand, I also attach importance to the disciplines of handwriting and crafts while producing my works. Hope you enjoy! 
Feel free to contact me at dayioglu.deniz@gmail.com
EDUCATION
• Faculdade de Belas-Artes da Universidade de Lisboa · MFA Drawing · Sep 2021 to present · Lisbon, Portugal
• Marmara University Institute of Fine Arts MFA · 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 Programme · Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Pass Summer 2004 · Florence, Italy 


work experience

• Freelance Illustrator & Concept Artist · Jul 2016 to present · Istanbul, Turkey
• Hammurabi Games Background & Prop Artist · Jan 2019 - Apr 2020 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Mirket Yayınları Children’s Book Illustrator · Jan 2017 - Dec 2018 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Altın Kitaplar Children’s Book Illustrator · Aug 2016 - Mar 2017 · Istanbul, Turkey
• 4129Grey Senior Art Director · Apr 2012 - Jul 2016 · Istanbul, Turkey
• McCann Erickson Art Director · Dec 2009 - Mar 2011 · Istanbul, Turkey
• Rafineri Creative Intern · Jun 2007 - Jan 2008 · Istanbul, Turkey
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

• Report to Mom Cannes Young Lions Turkey · 2015 Cyber Category · Second Pace
• Tweert Borsasi · Kristal Elma Awards 2015 · Crystal Award · Social Media Creative Execution · Position: Art Director
• Heist on Cam · Eurobest Awards 2015 · Nominated in the Interface & Navigation Category · Position: Art Director
• Heist on Cam · Kristal Elma Awards 2015 · Silver Award · Microsite · Position: Art Director
• Heist on Cam · Epica 2015 Silver Award, Branded Games · Position: Art Director
• Heist on Cam · Felis Awards 2015 · Felis Certificate · Microsite · Position: Art Director
• Heist on Cam · Digital Communication Awards 2015 · Gold Award, Microsite · Bronze Award, Storytelling · Position: Art Director
• Light Graffitti Booth · Kristal Elma Awards 2013 · Bronze Award · Online Video · Position: Art Director



EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

• Illustrators Platform 1th Group Exhibition · Kadikoy Baris Manco Kultur Merkezi · Dec 2019 · Istanbul
• Jediturk Chronicles III by Jediturk Group Exhibition · 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
  Oliver the Dreamer, selected for display in the Illustration Category
• Jediturk Chronicles II by Jediturk Group Exhibition · Profilo Cinema Pink · May 2018 · Istanbul
• Happy Nest Istanbul Bookworm Mom Book Activities · Mar 2018 · Istanbul
• Anatolian Rock Revival Project Group Exhibition · Souq Karakoy · Apr 2015 · Istanbul
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