writer -letter and gesture lover*

I graduated from the H.U. Faculty of Science, Statistics in 2004 and the Graphic Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts at H.U. in 2009. While continuing my master's studies at Hacettepe University, I started as a research assistant in the Graphic Design Department of Bodrum Fine Arts Faculty at Mugla Sitki Kocman University in 2010. I earned my doctorate at the University of Barcelona's “Advanced Studies in Artistic Production” in 2023. I still work as an assistant professor in the Graphic Design Department of Bodrum Fine Arts Faculty and give lectures on writing, typography, and drawing.

I participated in various workshops and classes such as Keith and Amanda Adams, Oriol Miró, Rodolfo Fernández Álvarez with traditional Western Calligraphy (Roman Capitals, Rustic, Celtic Decorations with Uncial and Insular script, Carolingian, Gothic and Lombardic letters and decorations, Chancery hand, Neuland); experimental calligraphy and lettering, also sign-painting with Jakob Engberg, Adrián Pérez and Luca Barcellona; letter carving on stone with Stephen Watts, and traditional and modern bookbinding in Begoña Cabero's studio.

In recent years, I have practiced Western Calligraphy, investigating how it intersects with asemic writing and calligraphy practices, mainly focusing on strokes influenced by Far Eastern calligraphy practices.

After many years of manual execution, I am trying to develop my skill in digital lettering with Procreate, with a love of letters in any media, and navigating the boundaries between artistic and design tendencies.

“From Western Calligraphy Tradition to Extended Gesture”

PhD Thesis, Universitat de Barcelona.

  • 2023, “Estudis Avançats En Produccions Artístiques” -Advanced Studies in Artistic Production, PhD Program of Design and Image, Universitat de Barcelona.

    2012, Graphic Design Master Program, Hacettepe University.

    2009, Bachelor in Graphic Design Department, Hacettepe University.

    2007, Hogeschool Gent, Architecture, Audio-Visual &

    Fine Arts, Graphic Design  (Erasmus Program), Belgium.

    2004, Bachelor in Statistics of Science Faculty, Hacettepe University.

  • Yıldırım, A. (2025, October 22). From past narratives to beyond-semantic approaches of the future: Layers of time in Western-centered asemic writing [Oral Presentation in Turkish]. AART 2. International Anadolu Art Symposium, Eskişehir, Türkiye. 

    Yıldırım, A. Dünyada Afiş Tasarımı, Grafik/Grafik Tasarım Alanı Olarak Afişler. Yayın Evi: Eğitim yayınevi Editörler: Prof. Dr. Yaşar Uslu, Doç. Dr. Özlem Kum

    Yıldırım, A. (2025, July 12). Dishu As A Chinese Calligraphy Practice In The Public Space And Its Reflection On Current Western Writing Practices [Oral Presentation in Turkish]. 4th International Uskudar Scientific Research Congress, İstanbul, Türkiye.

    Kipdermir, S., Yıldırım. A. (2023). Effect of post -middle ages Western calligraphy tradition and blackletter writing style on today’s typographic letter designs: Hermann Zapf example, Kesit Akademi Dergisi (The Journal of Kesit Academy), 9(34), 159-181. doi: 10.29228/kesit.68571 (Turkish version)

    Yıldırım, A. (2022). Collaboration of Western calligraphy tradition and graffiti: An evaluation through the calligraffiti group, Asos Journal, 129, 172-188. doi: 10.29228/ASOS.61951 (Turkish version)

    Yıldırım, A. (2022). As a reflection of current tendency of contemporary western calligraphy: A Montreal urban art collective “Garbage beauty”. IDA: International Design and Art Journal, 4(1), 76-84.

    Yıldırım Almıla, 2022. Tasarımda Tipografi/Tasarımda Tipografik Hiyerarşi. Yayın Evi: ATATÜRK ÜNİVERSİTESİ AÇIK ÖĞRETİM FAKÜLTESİ YAYINLARI Editör Adı: Doç. Dr. Aydın Zor

    Yıldırım Almıla, 2022. Reklam Grafiği/Reklam Grafiklerinde Tipografinin Yeri ve Onemi. Yayın Evi: ATATURK UNIVERSITESI ACIK OGRETIM FAKULTESI YAYINI Editör Adı: Doç.Dr. Aydın Zor 

  • Solo Exhibitions

    2022 “Strike vs. Stroke” Kişisel Sergi, HeyJoe Cafe, Bodrum, Turkey.

    2019 “Asemik Kaligrafi” Kişisel Sergi, Milta Marina Osmanlı Tersanesi Sanat Galerisi, Bodrum, Turkey.

    Group Exhibitions

    2025

    • “Small pains, great songs” mini unique artist book collection, Project by Seçil Yaylalı, California and Singapore.

    2024

    • “Small pains, great songs” mini unique artist book collection, Project by Seçil Yaylalı hosted by PASAJ, Istanbul.

    • 16th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    2023

    • 15th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    2022

    • 14th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    • “Legends and Myths in Anatolia” Juried National Group Virtual Exhibition, Pamukkale University, Denizli.

    • “Equinox” International Invited Group Exhibition, Haliç University Faculty of Fine Arts, Istanbul.

    • October 29, Republic Day of Turkey Academic Staff Exhibition, Bodrum Fine Arts Faculty Beyaz Gallery, Bodrum, Mugla.

    • World Art Day Group Exhibition, Yıldız Kenter Art Gallery, Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village, Bodrum, Mugla.

    • 8 of March International Women’s Day, Heredot Culture Center, Bodrum, Mugla.

    • “Kerteriz” Group Exhibition, Ergin Karlıbel Art Center, Ordu.

    2021

    • 13th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    2020

    • 2nd International Calligraphy Exhibition with the theme “Call of Calligraphy”, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Graphics, Ankara.

    • 12th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    • October 29, Republic Day of Turkey Academic Staff Exhibition, Bodrum Fine Arts Faculty Beyaz Gallery, Bodrum, Mugla.

    2019

    • 11th International Anatolian Calligraphy and Typography Event ‘Yunus Emre’ Invited Group Exhibition, Anadolu University Faculty of Fine Arts, Eskişehir.

    • “Ekin” (Respect to Atatürk) Group Exhibition, Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village İ. Hakkı Tonguç Art Gallery, Bodrum.

    • 3rd International Art Symposium Academic Staff Exhibition, Bodrum Fine Arts Faculty Beyaz Gallery, Bodrum.

    • “3 Calligraphers” Calligraphy Exhibition, Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village Yıldız Kenter Art Gallery, Bodrum.

    • 3rd International Silk Road Academic Studies Symposium Group Exhibition, Belgrade University.

    • 2nd International Mail Art Biennial Mixed Exhibition, Tekirdag University, Faculty of Fine Arts Design and Architecture, Tekirdag.

    • 3rd Young Art Event Süleyman Demirel University Fine Arts Faculty Mixed Exhibition, Isparta.

    • “Together” April 15, World Art Day Mixed Exhibition, Dibeklihan Culture and Art Village Yıldız Kenter Art Gallery, Bodrum.

    • 3rd International Art and Aesthetics Symposium Mixed Exhibition, Gaziantep University.

    • “Dokunuş” Group Exhibition, Bodrum Chamber of Commerce, Bodrum.

    • 2025 Calligram Workshop with Daniele Tozzi, Sofia, Bulgaria.

    • 2025 Brush Pen Calligraphy with Viktor Kams (a.k.a Mr.Kams), Sofia, Bulgaria.

    • 2020 Blackletter and Brush Pen with Luca Barcellona, Istanbul, Turkey.

    • 2017 Taller de Rotulacion (Sign Painting), Jakob Engberg, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2017 Introduccion de la Caligrafia China (Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy), Jenny Chih-Chieh, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2017 Lettering Sobre Piedra (Letter Carving on Stone), Stephen Watts, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2017 Lettering y Rotulacion a Pincel por Deletrista (Sign Painting and Brush Lettering), Adrián Pérez, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2017-2016 Taller de Escultura con Super Sculpey (3D Character with Sculpey), Oscar Berlanga Monasterio, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2016 “Cal·ligrafia Expressiva (Expressive Calligraphy)”, Rodolfo Fernández Álvarez, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2015 “Insular Script & Celtic Decoration Course”, Amanda Adams, Isere, France.

    • 2015 “Italic Calligraphy, Historical & Modern Course”, Keith Adams, Isere, France.

    • 2015 “Caligrafia Expresiva (Expressive Calligraphy)”, Oriol Miro, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2014 “Maýusculas. Letras Capitales (Mayuscule Letters” and “Art Nouveau Capitals”, Keith Adams, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2014 “Copperplate”, Amanda Adams, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2014 Charnela Taller de Escola D’enquadernació (Bookbinding), Begoña Cabero, Barcelona, Spain.

    • 2012 Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) Erasmus-Staff Training Mobility Academic Year 2011-12, Kaposvar University, Kaposvar, Hungary.

    • 2011 “Expression by Drawing”, Marek Brozozowski, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

    • 2009 “Typographic Packaging”, İnanç İlisulu and Halime Fişenk, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

    • 2009 Red Pencil Workshop-Best in Print Advertising Awards Workshop and Competition, Red Pencil Education, Istanbul, Turkey.

    • 2008 Ecume Workshop (VIII. Mediterranean Culturals Exchange), “Printing by the human used waste”, Yasin Al Dwiek, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

    • 2007 7th Young Brainstorming Organization, ad campaign of  “Creating Continuity for the freedom of Social Consciousness which is Individual's Constitutional Rights”, 9 Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.