Festivals and events

Events and organizations related to graphic design are very important for the advancement of professional practice and theory. During these events students, educators, professional designers and users (clients, design administrators) attend seminars, conferences, workshops and exhibitions and find opportunities to refresh their knowledge, and meet new people and expand their horizons. 

Istanbul Graphic Design Week 

Grafist, the International Istanbul Graphic Design Week that is organized by Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in collaboration with the Turkish Society of Graphic Design, quickly became one of the most prestigious international educational organizations in the world of graphic design. Since its early days, Grafist has welcomed an attendance of thousands of students from nearly 30 countries and Turkish universities. These students received training and workshops led by forthcoming designers and educators from around the world; professional designers shared their wealth of experience with their colleagues and students in seminars and talks. International exhibitions offered Istanbulites the opportunity to view international samples of quality graphic design. Anthon Beeke, Jan van Toorn, Rick Vermeulen and Irma Boom were some of the designers from The Netherlands who were welcomed by Grafist with the support of the Dutch Consulate in Istanbul.

 Yahşibey Design Studies         

Yahşibey Design Studies is also an important multi-disciplinary design organization. Taking place in a village on the coast of the Aegean Sea, Yahşibey Design Studies is a summer school that facilitates workshops on graphic design, architecture, product design, and design culture with local and international university students, organized in fortnightly sessions. International designers and design educators take part in a residential program where they share the same living and working arrangements with the students for a period of 15 days. The educators choose 10 students out of all the applicants that send their portfolios from around the world. The program is free of charge. At the end of the fortnight, the students and educators present their work in a meeting attended by the villagers as the audience.