It’s the final week of February, and coincidentally it’s also the final week of ADC’s extended Illustration Month! It has been a wild ride, and we’ve been blown away by the number of submissions we’ve received — so many that we had to make it two months long! But that’s okay, since we got to showcase tons of talented illustrators who also happen to be card-carrying ADC Members.

Next week we will be beginning Photography Month, but in the meantime, we still have more artists to show you, including this New York based art director whose style changes along with the world.

DENIZ EYÜBOGLU
Senior Art Director & Illustrator
New York, NY
30anocean.tumblr.com
behance.net/eyuboglu
denizeyuboglu@gmail.com

Follow @30anOcean

Just about every kid can draw, but not every kid is particularly gifted at it. Where did your childhood artistic inclinations come from?

Around the age of five or six, I realized I was fascinated with colors, shapes and figures. The book that had the most pictures, that was the book I had to buy! Of course at that age I wasn’t a great artist, but that was OK; I was begging people who could draw to draw something for me. It was the most exciting experience, watching how lines, dots were becoming figures.

When did you discover that “Hey, this could actually be a career”?

I studied Graphic Design in high school as well as in college. I was a diligent student who loved to learn every kind of art technique; graphic design, fine art, product design, textile, miniature and sculpture. Since high school I knew that whatever I did with my career, creativity was going to be part of it.

How would you describe your illustrative style? Do you fight against having a particular style, or do you embrace your style as your “brand”?

Since the most important thing is an idea for me, I describe myself as a conceptual visionary artist. I believe I use my illustrations/designs as a catalyst for effecting positive social change. My works are provocative, sharp and clean, but my style is changing when the world changes.

Walk us through your usual creative process.

Like most people, I begin with a brief or a problem to solve. The second part of my process is research — lots of research! Next comes sketches. After all of those exercises, the idea can begin to take shape the way I want it to be. Finally I bring that baby to life with the right tool.

Tools of the trade: do you have any specific pens, pencils or other instruments that you swear by?

Ordinary blank paper and pencils. My pencil flies freely on the paper. With a little bit of imagination, whatever I draw beccomes unique figures.

Is there a particular project of yours of which you’re especially proud?

Every project has a different meaning to me. I like each of them for different reasons

Cocktail party talk: how do you describe what you do to someone who isn’t in a creative field, and what’s the typical response you get from them?

I always represent myself as a designer and a creative person, because that’s the truth — whatever tools I am using, the end result is always my creativity.

Where do you seek out creative inspiration?

I seek my creative inspiration from my nieces and nephews. Playing with them always makes me realize that I start building too many rules for myself. They help me to break those rules.

“I seek my creative inspiration from my nieces and nephews. Playing with them always makes me realize that I start building too many rules for myself.”

Which professional illustrators do you look up to?

I do appreciate looking at nice piece of art work. I am amazed by CG artists, vector illustrators, water colorist, 2D and 3D designers… I do adore anyone who can create inspiring illustrations.

Illustration Month continues throughout January and February, and is open exclusively to ADC Members. Not yet a Member? Join today!