Not everything I design has to be a serious “work” project. This section is a little collection of things I’ve genuinely enjoyed making, whether they were personal projects, published work, random experiments, or ideas that never quite made it out into the real world.
I don’t think a portfolio should only be filled with projects that came with a brief, a deadline and a client breathing down your neck. Sometimes you just have an idea, get excited about it and want to make it. And sometimes the idea is a little bit silly, less professional, or doesn’t even show your actual skillset, but you have fun with it anyway. We sometimes forget that designing stuff is fun and doesn’t always need to have a purpose. I think that stuff deserves a place here too.
I even make an annual relationship newspaper for myself and my partner. It’s a little too personal to share here, but it’s something I genuinely enjoy creating every year. The projects below are a bit like that. They might not all be portfolio “pieces” in the traditional sense, but I had a great time making them and they hold some pretty good memories for me.
So, have a glance around, and hopefully you enjoy them too!
Personalized Colouring Books
My niece and I were colouring princess pictures when she suddenly asked, “Puket, imagine if I was in the colouring book.” Obv, I took that very seriously.
By the next morning, her very own colouring book was ready to print as a New Year’s gift. I first tried drawing everything with my graphics tablet, but there were SO many details and she was already waiting for Santa! (My dad) So I thought, right, let’s shoot my shot with AI. It was my first time properly experimenting with AI like this, and somehow it turned into a whole book overnight.
While making hers, I started thinking about my little sister’s childhood too, so of course, she got one as well. These little projects are more than just design to me. They’re full of memories, stories and a lot of love, which is exactly why I love what happens when emotion and design come together.
Pistachio and Pumpkin Seed Packaging
I designed the packaging for Sera’s Miskabak (pumpkin seeds) and Misantep (pistachios), creating two designs that worked together as part of the same product range while still giving each product its own character. I wanted the packaging to feel fresh and appealing on shelf, while making sure the two products were easy to recognise as part of the same family.
Unfortunately, the project came at a rather unlucky time, just after COVID, and the launch was eventually cancelled due to import restrictions. Although the products never made it to the shelves, it was still a great opportunity to explore packaging design and develop a full visual direction for a new product range.
Music Videos
While working as an Art and Light Director on video sets, I learned that the smallest details often make the biggest difference on screen. My role went far beyond setting things in place. I helped prepare and clean sets, arranged and maintained decorations, created props from scratch when needed, and even ironed beds or fabrics to make sure everything looked just right on camera.
I also documented set ups carefully so scenes stayed consistent between takes and shooting times, knowing how important continuity is for the audience. These experiences taught me patience, teamwork, and respect for the invisible work behind the scenes. Just like my personal projects, this work was never only about visuals, it was about care, storytelling, and creating an atmosphere that feels real to the people watching.
Xir - Angela Merkel Cover Art & Animation
In 2017, I created a cover design for Xir's Angela Merkel single. The design is a vibrant collage with predominant red tones, reflecting the intensity and emotion conveyed in the music. Each element in the collage is carefully selected to represent the themes and narratives explored in the song, creating a visually engaging piece thatcomplements the lyrical content.
All the elements, besides the German Newspaper and Angela Merkel pictures, are taken and created by myself.
Sound on!
Istanbul Trip - Sıfır Sıkıntı Cover Art
In 2018, I designed a cover for a group of famous Turkish rap artists. I collaborated with renowned graffiti arttist Leo Lunatic on this project.
The cover features elements that are inspired by the themes mentioned in the song. The design includes prominent strips and a backdrop of blurred police lights, reflecting the intense and evocative lyrics of the track.
