Photo by José Tavares
Hi! I’m Deniz Dayioglu (1987, Kütahya, Türkiye), an illustrator and 2D artist based in Lisbon, Portugal. I create illustrations for children’s books, editorial and commercial projects, as well as art for mobile games. I love cats, birds, silly dogs, and stories with girl heroes.
My interest in art was inspired by my mother, an artist working in ceramics and traditional miniature painting. I studied Graphic Design at Marmara University in Istanbul and spent seven years as an art director in advertising before focusing on illustration. I also hold an MFA in Drawing from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (FBAUL). For my thesis on wordless picture books, I created my own book, The Searcher.
Feel free to get in touch at dayioglu.deniz@gmail.com, or simply fill out the form:
My interest in art was inspired by my mother, an artist working in ceramics and traditional miniature painting. I studied Graphic Design at Marmara University in Istanbul and spent seven years as an art director in advertising before focusing on illustration. I also hold an MFA in Drawing from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lisbon (FBAUL). For my thesis on wordless picture books, I created my own book, The Searcher.
Feel free to get in touch at dayioglu.deniz@gmail.com, or simply fill out the form:
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
• 25th Anniversary Edition of the International Biennial Poster Design Terras Gauda, Francisco Mantecón Competition · 2026
• 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
• 25th Anniversary Edition of the International Biennial Poster Design Terras Gauda, Francisco Mantecón Competition · 2026
• 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