After successfully completing her undergraduate studies, Melek Gülşen began to make a name for herself in creative industries. Known for her impressive design work, Gülşen is now starting her graduate studies and continues to share her industry experience with young designers.
Enes Dalgıç, on the other hand, continued his academic journey with a master’s degree at IGU after graduation. Alongside his academic work, he actively works on freelance projects and digital media design, building a dynamic career.
In this delightful interview, we talked about our alumni’s educational journeys, how they entered the industry, the challenges they faced, and their goals for the future.
1. What did your time at the Department of Visual Communication Design at Istanbul Gelişim University bring you?
Enes: I graduated between 2019 and 2023. My studies coincided with the pandemic, which taught me discipline in working independently and managing my own creative processes. Even during those tough times, the university provided us with opportunities to develop many projects remotely. I was also working part-time while organizing events and festivals in my spare time at school. I gained not only theoretical education but also social experience. Our professors, who had strong industry backgrounds, gave us opportunities to transform theory into practice with a production-oriented approach. So we didn’t just graduate—we became well-rounded designers.
Melek: I always say it was a 360-degree professional preparation. What you gain in those final years of university helps shape your future. Every course and event I attended prepared me step by step for who I am today.
2. How would you evaluate the contribution of your education at GSF to your career?
Enes: My education at GSF taught me to approach design not just aesthetically but also strategically, conceptually, and communicatively. This perspective gave me a great advantage in the industry, especially in areas like social media, content creation, and graphic design. Working part-time during school and starting my publishing career in my final semester allowed me to test my theoretical knowledge in real projects. Though juggling school and work was sometimes difficult, it made me feel like I wasn’t starting from scratch after graduation. I maintained that pace into my graduate studies.
Melek: I’m very versatile—that’s what I love most. We had a wide range of elective courses and could shape our direction accordingly. I’d definitely participate in more projects if I went back. Being part of a team and taking responsibility helped me a lot in developing my personality.
3. How did your transition into the industry or academia take shape after graduation?
Enes: My first real contact with the industry came in my final undergraduate year. I stepped into the sector before graduation, which made the transition much smoother. After graduating, I continued working full-time. My interest in the publishing side of design led me to pursue a master’s degree. Now I’m both working and doing academic research. Balancing these two worlds continues to enrich me both practically and theoretically.
Melek: I started working in various agencies in my third year, but I realized they weren’t for me—discovering this during internships saved me years. I found I was more suited to corporate work, and I’ve been responsible for design in a company for the past three years. I’m happy. Academia was something I always wanted since my first year of university, so I’m currently preparing for that by pursuing a master’s degree.
4. Which course or project during your studies had the most impact on you?
Enes: Our department mainly focused on multimedia courses. It was a great advantage to learn from different instructors every semester. One impactful experience was creating a “Brand Book” in our 2nd-year multimedia class—it taught us the process of building a brand identity from scratch. Another was the "Film Workshops" project where we traveled to different parts of Anatolia and met students—it was an unforgettable experience that still influences my work.
Melek: Definitely the faculty bulletin project. I’ll never forget the moment our department head offered it to me. Being part of something big—this project opened many doors for me and became a model for other faculties as well.
5. What do you pay attention to most in your design process? What inspires you?
Enes: The first thing I focus on is the message—what I’m saying and to whom. The design must have a purpose. I aim to communicate that message clearly and simply. I try to convey meaning through the elements I use, focusing on clean and balanced visual language with attention to color harmony, typography, and spacing.
As for inspiration, I don’t have strict rules. It can be a book cover, a street poster, or a song. Keeping your mind open is the best source of inspiration.
Melek: I have a morning routine of browsing design websites—I think it feeds me. I check what others are doing, how design is evolving. It’s like having coffee while diving into the latest trends.
6. Can you tell us about the projects you are currently working on?
Enes: I currently work at İthaki Publishing Group on social media and video content, as well as digital and print designs. Creating visuals and animations that reflect the spirit of each book feels like stepping into its world. For well-known books, we often plan detailed marketing campaigns. It’s intense but fun. At the same time, I’m working on my thesis at IGU, where I’m analyzing animated book advertisements on social media from a semiotic perspective. Balancing academic and industry work is both educational and inspiring.
Melek: I recently designed a logo for a new experience center. It was a smooth process—we finalized it in the second meeting. I began with research based on the brief, studied competitors, and made sketches. One common mistake is thinking we don’t need to practice. But like athletes, we need daily training.
7. Freelancing, agency work, or academia—which path is most advantageous for graduates?
Enes: There’s no single right answer—it depends on personal work styles and goals. Agencies are fast-paced and educational; freelancing is flexible but requires discipline; academia offers intellectual depth.
I’ve experienced all three in some way. I realized that the best way to find your path is to try different ones. Don't expect to land in the perfect spot immediately after graduation. Try, learn, and stay open to growth. Our field isn’t limited to one direction—we need to be versatile. Especially with AI now deeply integrated into our field, we must adapt constantly. It's challenging, but also exciting.
Melek: When I chose this field, I had one vision: “to be able to work anywhere my computer is.” Post-pandemic, that vision is now reality. Freelancing offers that freedom, but also comes with responsibilities like managing finances and issuing invoices. Agencies have fewer time/place restrictions but often demand long hours. Still, working with creative people broadens your horizons—it’s a must-experience.
Academia is a passion. I don’t think it’s for those who choose it as a backup plan. It’s for those who’ve created great work, failed often, and have experience to share.
8. What led you to pursue a master’s degree after graduation?
Enes: I actually decided to pursue an academic path even before starting undergrad. I’ve always wanted to be someone who not only practices design but thinks, researches, and produces knowledge about it. But I also knew our field isn’t just theory—you need real experience. So I stayed active in the industry during and after my studies. Now I bring that industry experience into my academic work and view design through a more critical lens. I want to strengthen my academic journey with this foundation.
9. What advice would you give to students just entering this field?
Enes: This field is broad and multidimensional. Don’t try to master everything at once. Explore, make mistakes, and give yourself space. Engage with other disciplines, produce a lot, and share your work. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just keep trying.
Our courses are enriching, but not enough alone. Take part in projects, social responsibility work, events. Don’t wait for others to start them—you can organize things yourself. Freelance work is hard to find, but even one project helps build experience. Real learning often happens outside the classroom. And most importantly: find your own path without comparing it to others. Design is not just technical—it’s also personal.
Melek: It’s a fantastic, enjoyable field with lots of potential. You can build an entire career from just one course. My classmates all went on to do different things, but we all came from the same department. The key is: never stop practicing.
10. Where do you see yourself in the future? What are your new goals?
Enes: In the long term, I want to remain in academia and share my knowledge with others. For me, design is more than a profession—it’s a way of thinking. So I want to teach while continuing to produce.
In the short term, I aim to gain international experience and broaden my perspective. Seeing how design is approached in different cultures will open my mind. I also want to continue developing both academically and professionally. Even if I go deep into academia, I never want to lose touch with the industry.
Melek: I see myself in academia in the future, and I’m currently preparing for that path.
