Istanbul is a 2500 year old city located on two continents. It is on the crossroads of East, West, North and South. It a bridge for civilizations that began in Mesopotamia 12000 years ago and later traveled to Europe, and the capital cities of the East Roman and Ottoman Empires. It is a “temple” for three monotheistic religions, and a multicultural arena for languages and alphabets. Today Istanbul is home for 15 million people and is the economic and cultural center of Turkey. It is a country on the crossroads of Islam and modernity, military regimes and democracy, and prejudice and tolerance.

Istanbul, which has been selected as the Cultural Capital of Europe 2010, is also a center of art and design, and is known for its cultural and educational institutions and advertising industry. One of the most prestigious education based visual communication organizations of the world, Grafist, Istanbul International Graphic Design Week, has been held in the city since 1997. It brings together design events, designers, educators and design students. The city is also launching an International Poster Biennial in 2008.

I am a graphic designer who lives, works, and teaches in Istanbul. My work explores the crossroads of geography, identity, culture, and the development of communication technologies and graphic design. In my presentation I will talk about the intersection of my existence as a graphic designer and interpreter of culture in Istanbul.