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Bilkent
Graphic Design

Since 1986, we have provided a dynamic learning environment that keeps pace with design industry advancements. Our contemporary education platform equips students with diverse skills, including branding, typography, illustration, print and digital media, packaging, advertising, UI/UX, motion graphics, video production, and animation design.

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Faculty / Instructor Recruitment


The application processes of candidates will be announced here.

Introduction to the basic elements and the principles of two-dimensional design. Development of an understanding of the visual language while improving abilities in abstract thinking and problem solving. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Exploration of the human figure, its parts and its form as far as structure and functions are concerned. Drawing fundamentals in figurative expression, proportions and compositional expressions by working directly from the model in various media. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Critical thinking and problem solving. Set theory. Logic; inductive and deductive reasoning. The real number system, integers, rational and irrational numbers. Exponents and scientific notation, roots. Algebraic equations and inequalities. Linear and quadratic equations. Functions and graphs; graph reading. Exponential, logarithmic, and quadratic functions. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Foundations for visualization tools and technical skills in graphic design. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

The central basis of ENG 101 is to introduce students to an academic approach to thinking, reading, speaking and writing in an integrated, meaningful manner such that they are able to apply the skills learnt to their departmental studies. In addition, the ENG 101 course aims to further develop the students' linguistic accuracy and range in English. - (credit: 5 - ects: 5)

This course is the first of a sequence of two courses designed to develop creative writing skills of the students through their own writings in Turkish. It is an active learning course. Students write their own blogs and instructors comment and send feedback about the creativity, content, composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation of the writing regularly. - (credit: 2 - ects: 3)

Introduction to university's academic and social environment by series of activities. Talks by university administrators and guest speakers, workshops, concerts and tours of departments. Sports centers, computing facilities and library also part of orientation program. Complete set of activities and required minimum in orientation book. Mandatory for first-year students. - (credit: 1 - ects: 2)

As a continuation of FA 105, new subjects such as color, value, texture, transparency and layers via basic 2D, 3D and 4D design problems. Prerequisite: FA 101 or FA 105. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Exploration of visual form, character and gesture of movements of the human figure. Searching, evaluating and applying the basic elements of life drawing: line, form, color, value, module and composition. Prerequisite: FA 103. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Students should take one of the following courses: MBG 110, CHEM 111 , PHYS 180 as part of the core curriculum of Bilkent University. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Evolution and principles of typography including anatomy of letterform and compositional hierarchy with typographic elements. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

The central basis of ENG 102 is to consolidate students' academic approach to thinking, reading, speaking and writing and language usage, as initiated in ENG 101. In addition, the ENG 102 course aims to develop the students' abilities to synthesise and evaluate information and conduct basic, independent research. Prerequisite: ELS 101 or ENG 101 or ENG 103. - (credit: 5 - ects: 5)

This course is the second of a sequence of two courses designed to develop creative writing skills of the students through their own writings in Turkish. It is an active learning course. Students write their own blogs and instructors comment and send feedback about the creativity, content, composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation of the writing regularly. - (credit: 2 - ects: 3)

Visual thinking, concept development, color theory, gestalt principles, analogue and digital design techniques. Demonstrations, tutorials, extensive studio work and critiques. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Typographic design systems, the aesthetic functional and conceptual use of lettering for printing, typographic uses of various visual media and technical methods. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to basic principles and techniques of photography covering darkroom techniques and processes. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

An introductory course on vector and raster based graphic fundamentals and their applications to various 2-D graphic design items. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Provides background to the origins of early Western civilizations: deals with the nature and spread of the earliest civilizations in the Ancient Near East and the development of civilization in classical and medieval Europe, concerning their political, social, economic and religious life; focuses on the globalization process of the civilization to be culminated in Western Europe. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

This course focuses on aspects of Turkey's history with an emphasis on research. It is designed as an interactive course with the objective to investigate events, chronologically short historical periods, as well as historic representations. - (credit: 4 - ects: 6,5)

Ground for students to engage in diversity, creativity and commitment outside coursework. Participation in various activities provided mainly by student clubs. Student activity in designing and shaping course as well as monitoring and grading performance. Grading based on points accumulated by participation to activities. Mandatory for four-year students and to be taken in third semester. Prerequisite of GE 251, non-credit, pass/fail course. - (credit: 0 - ects: 1)

Development of creativity, imagination, visual sensitivity and technical skills through solving a series design problems with variety of media and materials. Prerequisite: GRA 201. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

The artistic and technical problems of typographic design, typographic layout techniques, letterform design, portfolio studies on logos and signs. Prerequisite: GRA 211. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Provides background to the origins of modern Western civilization: deals with the development of European society from around AD 1500 until the present, concerning the political, social economic and religious life of the West during that period. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

This course focuses on the concepts of motion design, effective use of motion graphics through; storyboarding, sequential aspects of composition, kinetic images and type and animation basics with today's software usage techniques on time based media principles. Prerequisite: GRA 225. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

A chronological survey of the history of art from the Stone Age to the Byzantine World. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Ground for students to engage in diversity, creativity and commitment outside coursework. Participation in various activities provided mainly by student clubs. Student activity in designing and shaping course as well as monitoring and grading performance. Grading based on points accumulated by participation to activities. Mandatory for four-year students and to be taken in third semester. Prerequisite of GE 251, non-credit, pass/fail course. - (credit: 0 - ects: 1)

Studio course aiming to improve students' skills and knowledge in visual communication and graphic design so that students become more fluent in the use of visual language and be better acquainted with the dynamics of contemporary graphic design. Prerequisite: GRA 202. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Four weeks practice of offset and/or digital printing. - (credit: 0 - ects: 6)

Introduction to the twentieth century graphic design by exploring various movements, philosophies and pioneering figures using a collaborative, thought-provoking format. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Philosophical issues that arise concerning the creation, interpretation and viewing of art, since Plato. What is "mimesis"; who is the best judge of art; is art beautiful and good; should art be viewed dis-interestedly. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Students should take one of the following courses: CS 155, CS 125 as part of the core curriculum of Bilkent University. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Studio course and continuation of GRA 301 aiming to improve students' abilities to design and refine use of visual language to a more sophisticated level. Subject dealing with complex design issues and helping students to find ways to develop their own personal voice. Prerequisite: GRA 301. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Students should take one of the following courses: HART 120, HART 221, HUM 111 Cultures Civilization and Ideas I, PHIL 101 Introduction to Logic, PHIL 304, PHIL 308 as part of the core curriculum of Bilkent University. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

The course aims for a multi-layered understanding of what an interface means by bridging the gap between its' physical and virtual properties. Sign theory is central to the course; it is introduced as a framework to implement functional web interfaces. Prerequisite: GRA 218. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Students should take one of the following courses: PSYC 100, PSYC 102

Studio course enabling students to apply their knowledge and skills to advanced graphic design projects. Explored through: studio work, lectures, critiques and with knowledge of the design skills. Prerequisite: GRA 302. - (credit: 6 - ects: 8,5)

Four weeks practice of experiencing and working at an advertising agency/graphic design and photographic studios. - (credit: 0 - ects: 6)

Introduction to critical analysis of works of art by concentrating on the theoretical debates developed around various issues on art theory since the 19th century. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

The goal of the Professional Communication course is to help students from all kinds of academic disciplines to learn about, effectively practice, and ultimately develop professional communication skills and experience that will be useful in both their professional careers and social interactions in interpersonal situations. It will also expand their ability to engage in team work and design professional presentations, better preparing them for their future careers. Students will learn and practice written, oral and visual communication skills to help them expand their ability to communicate and interact more professionally, with improved writing, editing, listening, speaking and presentation skills. Coursework includes writing resumes, cover letters, thank you letters and inquiry emails professionally, professional listening and note taking assignments such as meeting notes and listening summary exercises, speaking assignments such as persuasive speeches, developing arguments and elevator speeches, as well as preparing professional communication projects in groups and presentations through adopting documents to particular needs and audiences. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Please see the list of restricted electives

Development and execution of final professional long-term graphic design project that includes various different items and media. Prerequisite: GRA 401. - (credit: 8 - ects: 10)

Preparation of fourth-year students to professional graphic design career. Working fields of graphic design, the design firm, design market in Turkey, design ethics, copyright and licensing, presentation of the design work, and preparing a resume and portfolio. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Please see the list of free electives

Please see the list of restricted electives.

An investigation of the application of abstract concepts to concrete design products, i.e., packaging, advertising and printed material, as a vehicle to create specific moods and associations in design. Prerequisite: GRA 202. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to the world wide web and the stages of web design process through image editor, html editor and browser. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Main principles of visual images and movement. Making images move. Continuity, lighting, filming and linking. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Methods of animation, preparation of sketch board and storyboard. Studies with application of various graphic elements in motion. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to motion graphics, including history, categories, techniques and applications of motion graphics and animation basics as well as design and composition, storyboarding, sound and music adjustment on time based media. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to advanced photography techniques such as advertisement, still-life and architecture photography and teaching image processing tools. Credit units: 3 ECTS Credit units: 5, Prerequisite: GRA 218 or GRA 324. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Focus on using type to effectively communicate ideas by instilling an awareness in the dynamics and the creative potential of the Typography discipline. Exploration of new forms of visual expressions by using typographical syntax and semantics. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Studio course focusing on expanding students' understanding of how graphic design can become an effective tool for organizing and presenting complex data and information. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Exploration of the languages and functions of logos, symbols and sign systems in visual communication. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Package design plays an important role in brand identity, it is a stylized form of functionalism. This course focuses on carrying, protecting, and presenting the product. Outcome of the work delivers the brand promise, and enriches the user experience at every interaction. As a result typography, illustration, color, material, 2D and 3D structures are questioned and studied. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Development of basic video production skills such as pre-production planning, lighting for video, shooting with a video camera and sound recording. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Ways of interpreting a subject through pictures. Black and white and color illustrations. Interpretation of graphic subjects through pictures. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Realization and printing either a technical book, children's book, story book, poetry book or illustration of a book written in another field. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

History of cinema from its invention to the digital era. Major breakthroughs, significant movements and genres in cinema, as well as style and meaning, elements of film narrative, and filmmaking techniques. Historical, political and cultural context of the movies. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Audio in relation to visual media through basic audio production and post-production techniques for video and film. Skill development in sound recording both in-studio and on location, covering signal processing, digital audio editing, and mixing. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Continuation of Sound Design I. Advanced audio post-production techniques for video and film. Components and creative potential of sound design in order to enhance communication through artistic and expressive uses of sound. Prerequisite: COMD 361. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Fundamental technical skills for digital moving image production including lighting, sound, cinematography, and basic editing. Production of several video projects during the semester. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

A variety of film and media post-production techniques, including 3D integrations, animation, and green-box installations. Completion of a group project that puts these techniques into practice. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to the fundamental techniques of water-based silkscreen printmaking. Manual and digital processes. Independent work and application of processes in creative ways while mastering the applied techniques. All projects in small editions while the final project involving a multi-process, multi-layer edition. Individual and group critiques throughout the semester. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to the fundamental techniques of oil-based intaglio printmaking. Traditional and contemporary applications and experimentation. Working independently on monoprints, small editions, and a multi-layer, multi-plate final project. Individual and group critiques throughout the semester. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

Introduction to the fundamental techniques of oil-based intaglio printmaking. Traditional and contemporary applications and experimentation. Working independently on monoprints, small editions, and a multi-layer, multi-plate final project. Individual and group critiques throughout the semester. - (credit: 3 - ects: 5)

The second one of a sequence of two courses - namely GE 401 and GE 402. Presentation of the simulated companies to potential investors of a virtual stock market at a "Traders' Conference". The simulated start-up companies listed in a virtual stock market immediately after the "Traders' Conference". Simulation of marketing of products; simulation of investor relations and company publicity to investors; modification and finalization of initial business plans; simulation of quality certification processes. Completion and presentation of working prototypes of the end products. Planning and design of the associated production plant. Seminars from experts related to start-up company management issues. Prerequisite: GE 401. - (credit: 3 - ects: 6,5)

gra


290

Summer Practice I

At the end of the second academic year, graphic design majors must complete a summer internship in a printing house or a digital printing center. Download the PDF documents for the detailed procedural information & the required paperwork along with formatting guidelines.

gra


390

Summer Practice II

At the end of the third academic year, students are expected to complete another summer internship in an advertising, design or in-house agency. Download the PDF documents for the detailed procedural information & the required paperwork along with formatting guidelines.

Erhan Tunalı

Erhan
Tunalı

Department Chair

FB206, 290 1758
erhan.tunali [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Atıl Kurttekin

Atıl
Kurttekin

Instructor

FB206, 290 1758
atilk [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Birsu Çeltek

Birsu
Çeltek

Instructor

FB206, 290 1758
birsu.celtek [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Çağatay Alpay

Çağatay
Alpay

Instructor

FB206, 290 1758
cagatay.alpay [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Can İzzet Birand

Can İzzet
Birand

Instructor

FB206, 290 1758
canbirand [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Çavlan Başarır

Çavlan
Başarır

Instructor

FB120, 290 1758
cavlan [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Efe Alpay

Efe
Alpay

Assistant Professor

FB307, 290 1758
efe.alpay [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Marek Brzozowski

Marek
Brzozowski

Assistant Professor of Teaching

FB206, 290 1758
marek [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Oğuz Akın

Oğuz
Akın

Instructor

FB206, 290 1758
oguz.akin [at] bilkent.edu.tr

PART-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS

Ecem Büyükgüllü

Ecem
Büyükgüllü

Part-Time Instructor

Administrative Assistant
FB206, 290 1758
ecem.buyukgullu [at] bilkent.edu.tr

Orhan Kavas

Orhan
Kavas

Part-Time Instructor

Administrative Assistant
FB206, 290 1758
orhan.kavas [at] bilkent.edu.tr

STAFF

Verda Çimen Ulusoy

Verda
Çimen Ulusoy

Administrative Assistant
FB106, 290 1758
verda.cimen [at] bilkent.edu.tr