About

Ece Çiftçi (b.1988, Istanbul) is a Children’s Book Author/Illustrator and a Multidisciplinary Designer who is dedicated to bring humor and playfulness into everything she creates. Ece thinks embracing nonsense to the fullest is key to making sense of a nonsensical world. 

With a double degree in Psychology and Studio Art from the University of Virginia, Ece loves playing with words and pictures to capture the joys and absurdities of human nature. Ece also completed a portfolio program specializing in Art Direction in Miami Ad School, San Francisco. 

Ece Çiftçi’s debut book Yokhayvanlar/Nonanimals (published by Can Çocuk 2018) was shortlisted for the Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Concours 2019 and took part in the exhibition in South Korea. It was also selected for 3x3 International Illustration Annual No. 16 and received a Merit award.

Ece’s  illustration work is characterized by a strong graphic sensibility and a keen eye for emotion. Her work has been displayed in group exhibits including the PMS Augmented Reality Show, in Bant Mag. Havuz - Istanbul and the 13th edition of Tapirulan Cultural Associaton’s CIAO exhibition at Santa Maria della Pietà Cultural Center in Cremona, Italy. She's also been featured in numerous newspapers and publications such as Merci Mercredi, Cumhuriyet Kitap, Hürriyet Kitap Sanat and more. 

Ece collaborates with children’s magazines, schools, hospitals, brands. Some of her select clients include Cerrahpaşa Children’s Hospital, Little Yucca, Sezin School, Brainshop, Hippo Publishing House and Anorak Magazine. 

As a creative person with a strategic mind, Ece thrives when she is leading projects at the intersection of Design, Education and Play. 

At the heart of these interests lies a passion for making sense of complexities and connecting people through stories. When not working, you can find Ece playing with her terrier Yulaf, making playlists and watching stand-up comedy.


Skills Creative Direction, Brand Strategy, Brand Identity, Storytelling, Advertising, Concept Development, Learning Design, Environmental Graphics, Graphic Design, Books, Illustration, Character Design & Development, Making Playlists

Recognition featured in: 3x3 Annual ‘19, Nami Island International Picture Book Catalogue ‘19, Hürriyet Kitap Sanat ’18, Cumhuriyet Kitap‘18, Kadıköy Life ’18, Artful Living ’18, Design Chronicle ‘18, Arch Daily ‘17, XXI ‘17, Creativity–Online‘15, Huffington Post ‘13, Ads of the World ‘13, New York Egotist ‘13, San Francisco Egotist ‘13

Exhibits

2022 – iF Design Award, The Sezin Post

2019 – 3x3 Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, Merit Winner | Brooklyn, New York

2019 – Nami Island International Picture Book Concours, Finalist | Galleria Fole in the Seoul Forest, South Korea

2017 – PMS Augmented Reality Show, Bant Mag. Havuz | Istanbul, Turkey
2017 – 13th edition of Tapirulan Illustrators’ Contest “Ciao” Exhibition, Finalist | Cremona, Italy
2013 – Cannes Future Lions Finalist ‘Google Scene It’ | Cannes, France                  2012 – Clio Key Arts Awards Finalist with the movie poster for Cinema Paradiso | Los Angeles, CA

Say hello: ec.ciftci@gmail.com


Using Format