Aperture Magazine on Orhan Gonen

This year has been an amazing one from both personal and business perspective. I had the opportunity to meet with wonderful people dedicated to their cause and have a great heart. For me, the year started with long distance travels on multinational projects along with getting ready for my first retroperspective exhibition, Variations. There's been an intense press interest on the exhibition; from local to international media.

Aperture is one of the few favorite magazines of mine representing latest design and photography trends. When Jules Moore contacted me for an interview request, I was so excited. But when I learned that they want to use this interview as a cover story, it was even more flattering. What a wonderful way of closing a year, filled with unique emotions and acclaimed business success.

This month on Aperture, you can have a look at my exclusive interview by Jules Moore on conceptual design and photography.

Variations Press Review

The opening night was amazing. I would like to thank all who attended and shared their valuable comments with me. Coffeeco team was also wonderful with their support and delicious catering. Dilek, you are the best!

As the cafe setting provides an opportunity to interact with guests visiting the exhibition, it was also a distinctive experience for me as well. I've been at Coffeeco almost every day both for their wonderful meal and to check the atmosphere for the exhibition. I met wonderful people, who had questions about the pieces, sharing their own interpretation of my photos, or just came by to meet me. There's been also an intense media interest on the exhibition and opening event. It's been news on all major newspapers and lifestyle magazines. Variations exhibition will be hosted at Coffeeco until November 30th.

Creativity Workshop @ Coffeeco

Following the Variations exhibition, Coffeeco workshop series will kick off with Orhan Gonen's Creativity & Brand Design session on November 26th. In this one-hour meeting, various aspects of creativity and brand design will be discussed.

The session includes abstracts from Orhan Gonen's upcoming book Creative Thinking along with his MBA MasterClass lectures at Izmir University of Economics and Bilgi University on Innovation & Creativity.

An Urban Love Memoir

An urban love memoir by Ahmet Sabancı; Concept & Cover Design by Orhan Gonen

Some stories are never told; yet never meant to be shared with the One. But you can share it with the world. "Nothing, as you don't know" is an urban love memoir, a kind of reflection of what has actually happened while you are apart from your so-called soul mate. 

The book contains 6 sections, stories traveling back and forth in time, while the main character struggles to overcome the feeling of being abandoned by the One, he loves. In his first memoir, Ahmet Sabanci opens up the doors of his secret garden with an intimate; yet touching genre. When I first read the initial draft, I was so moved with the story and how well it reflected a part in each and every one of us. When Ahmet offered me to work on the concept design of the book, I was so honored. I read each section over and over again, in order to find the right visual tonality and express his emotions with a distinctive sensual touch.

"Nothing, as you don't know" will be available in stores in June, while the launch party will be at GaleriBu, Galata on June 7th.

INFLUENCERS: Trends & Creativity

INFLUENCERS is a short documentary that explores what it means to be an influencer and how trends and creativity become contagious today in music, fashion and entertainment. The film attempts to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical or metric approach.

Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives - advertising, design, fashion and entertainment - who are shaping today's pop culture. INFLUENCERS belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience.

Vogue: September Issue

Vogue is the most powerful and best-respected fashion magazine in the world, and each year the journal devotes a fall issue to the designs and designers that the editors feel will be influential in the coming year.

Anna Wintour as she visits the annual Fashion Week shows, accepts or dismisses the latest creations of the biggest names in fashion, works with the models, photographers, and writers who help bring her vision to the page, and labors with her staff to determine what the world's fashionistas will be wearing for the next 12 months. Creative Director Grace Coddington is also a revelation and her ability to tell stories through still images is inspiring.

The September Issue documentary reflects the process how one of the most anticipated issues of the year reveals in details.