Ayse Sule Ekiz | Graphic Design & Digital Art

Graphic Design & Digital Art

Print Making

Printmaking lets me combine careful planning with happy accidents. Through techniques like linocut, intaglio, and monotype, I explored how carved lines, etched plates, and ink on glass plates can all create very different moods. Each print teaches me something new about texture, contrast, and repetition, and how a single image can change when it is printed again and again on different papers or with different inks.

Linocut Print Draft

Draft linocut exploring light and shadow inspired by a haiku about a meteor shower.

This early linocut draft experiments with how light and shadow can tell a quiet story. It is based on a haiku about a meteor shower, and I aimed to carve lines and a strong contrast to translate the brief, gentle moment of the poem into a visual composition.

Linocut Print #1

Final linocut print using oil-based ink to create bold contrast and texture.

This linocut print is one of my final impressions from the carved block. By using oil-based ink, I was able to achieve deep colors and seaweed green edges that highlight the carved shapes. The strong contrast emphasizes the chaos of the design and brings the haiku’s imagery to life in a more finished form.

Linocut Print #2

Alternate linocut print using oil-based ink and brush appliction for seaweed patern texture.

In this version of the linocut print, I experimented with different amounts of ink and pressure in the press. Small changes in how the ink is rolled and how the paper is pressed create subtle shifts in value and texture then brush application, showing how one carved block can lead to many unique prints.

Linocut Print Working Space

Haiku poem that inspired the linocut print series: “meteor shower...”

The haiku that inspired this linocut series goes:
meteor shower...
a gentle wave
wets our sandals.

Having the poem physically present in my workspace helped me stay connected to its quiet, reflective mood while carving and printing, and guided the balance between empty space and detailed marks.

Intaglio Print #1

Intaglio print of me in front of Gould Hall, combining tradition with modern design.

This intaglio print shows me standing in front of my high school’s main building, Gould Hall. I used etched lines and careful shading to capture the architecture and my connection to the space. The piece blends traditional intaglio techniques with a more graphic, contemporary approach to composition.

Intaglio Print #2

Intaglio print in blue ink capturing a quiet, introspective moment.

In this version, I printed the plate with blue oil-based ink to create a cooler, more introspective mood. The color choice softens the scene and brings out different details in the etched lines, showing how ink color can completely change the feeling of the same image.

Intaglio Print #3

Intaglio print in warm ink tones that resemble sepia photographs.

This print uses orange-brown ink to create a warm, almost sepia effect. The softer value range gives the piece a nostalgic feeling, like an old photograph, and emphasizes the emotional side of the scene rather than just the architectural details.

Intaglio Prints

Series of intaglio prints exploring edition-making and consistency.

This series of intaglio prints explores what it means to create an edition: repeating the same image while trying to keep each print consistent in quality. I focused on inking, wiping, and press pressure to maintain clarity in the lines, while still accepting the small variations that make each impression unique.

Freeform Monotype

Expressive monotype exploring color, gesture, and spontaneous marks.

This freeform monotype is an experiment in letting go of detailed planning. Working with water-based inks on a smooth plate, I layered colors and loose brushstrokes, then transferred the image in a single pull. The result captures the energy of the process and the way chance can shape the final image.

Monotype Combo

Study of how different papers affect color, texture, and detail in monotype prints.

This set of monotypes compares the same plate printed on different types of paper. Each surface absorbs ink in its own way—some soften the edges, while others keep the lines crisp. By placing the prints together, I can clearly see how paper choice changes the mood and clarity of the image.

Monotype Preparation

Process view of ink prep and inking a glass plate before printing a monotype.

This image shows the in-between stage of monotype printing: I arranged colors and shapes directly on the plate, knowing that some details would blur and merge during printing.

Monotype Draft

Monotype draft, the inked glass plate before the paper is laid on top.

It captures the moment right before the image becomes permanent on paper.

Rain: Monotype Print #1

First monotype on dry watercolor paper, creating raining like conditions on paper.

The first monotype was printed on dry watercolor paper, which did not alllow the inks to bleed and mix. The rough surface created sharp edges of the shapes, giving the print a more cut out feeling compared to wet paper tests.

After Rain: Monotype Print #2

Second monotype on wet watercolor paper, using calm weather to support even color absorption.

In this second print, the wet watercolor paper absorbed nearly all of the ink from the plate, resulting in rich, saturated color. The edges of the forms softened as the pigments spread into the fibers of the paper, creating a dreamy, atmospheric effect that contrasts with sharper monotypes on dry paper.

2D Art Portfolio

My AP 2D Art Portfolio focuses on culture, community, and shared traditions. I chose to tell the story of making yaprak sarması (stuffed grape leaves), a dish that reminds me of family, home, and people working together. Through digital illustration, I followed the process step by step—from gathering the leaves to the final plate of food—while also weaving in visual references to Turkish textiles, village life, and everyday rituals.

Reaching to the Grapes

A moment of reward during the work: enjoying the grapes while gathering the leaves.

Reaching to the Grapes captures a small, joyful break in the process of gathering the leaves Collecting grape leaves as the first step in the cooking process, at the very begining of this process the figure pauses to enjoy the grapes. The bright colors and upward movement in the composition suggest growth, playfulness, and the idea that traditions can also be fun and rewarding in the moment.

Women Gathered

Illustration of a women gathered to stack leaves, honoring craft and patience.

Women Gathered portrays Turkish women stacking grape leaves to later stored inside jars. I wanted to honor the time, patience, and skill that go into traditional food preparation as this is an activity I did many times from my childhood till this day. We used to sit together aroung a cloth and stack all the leaves from our garden, at the frontyard, just like how it's illustrated. It reminds us that traditions often begin outside, in nature, before they reach the kitchen table.

From My Mother's Hands

Compositon of my mom's making of yaprak sarması.

From My Mother's Hands highlights the quiet determination of my mom working by herself to prepare the food before I return home. The scene reflects both everyday labor my mom does and the deeper sense of purpose that comes from creating something meaningful with her hands. How she is making the yaprak sarması is quite different then me and beginers, her way of making takes years of practice and expertise, that's why I thought it's important to showcase her skill.

From My Hands

Compositon of my POV while making of yaprak sarması.

From My Hands focuses on the most important step into making the dish, rolling each sarma by hand. I wanted to show the connection between me and the food we make, so I used my own hands, color, and framing to highlight the care taken in stuffing each leaf. As this is my favourite dish I enjoy each step of preparing it, but my favourite step is this one.

Imece

Digital illustration about community work and preparing yaprak sarması together.

In Turkish, imece means community work—people coming together to help each other. This piece shows a group gathered around a shared task: making yaprak sarması. The arrangement of hands, bowls, and ingredients emphasizes cooperation and the warmth of working side by side, turning cooking into a collective act of care and connection. Their body language, shared focus, and repeated gestures show how each person contributes to the whole.

Setting the Table

Final plate of food as a symbol of shared effort and tradition.

Setting the Table shows the final prep after all the steps and shared labor are complete. The presentation of the food, the arrangement of the plate, and the warm atmosphere around it all emphasize that the result is more than just a meal—it is the outcome of community, time, and love invested into the process.

Carpet

Digital exploration of modern Turkish carpet patterns and color.

Carpet explores the repeating patterns, rich colors, and symbolic designs found in modern Turkish carpets. I used digital tools to layer motifs and textures that echo traditional weaving, while still keeping a contemporary, graphic feel. The piece connects the idea of home and culture to the surfaces we live with every day.

Poster Designs

This series of posters brings together design principles and music. Each piece is inspired by a specific song from my playlist and focuses on one core principle—such as movement, contrast, rhythm, or white space. I listened closely to the lyrics, mood, and instrumentation, then used color, typography, and composition to visually translate how the song feels.

Chambers - Tamino

Poster emphasizing emotional weight through heart-shaped “chambers” and central focus.

Chambers is a poster design for design principle of 'emphasis'. I imagined the heart as both a physical space and an emotional chamber that traps memories and feelings. By using strong central emphasis with a man captured, layered shapes, and limited color, I tried to reflect the tension and vulnerability present in the song. Listen

Forgotten - Aytekin Atas

Movement-based poster with railroad illustration that echo the song’s motion.

Forgotten by Aytekin Ataş inspired this poster focused on the principle of 'movement'. I used perspective lines and dull colors to show how memories drift, blur, and slip away. The motion in the design mirrors the feeling of being carried forward while something important is left behind. Listen

Four Seasons - Taeyeon

Contrast-focused poster showing emotional and seasonal change across the year.

Four Seasons explores the principle of contrast through both color and mood. I divided the composition to represent 4 different times of year, using shifting palettes and shapes to echo the song’s themes of changing love and perspective. The visual contrast between sections reflects the emotional contrasts in the lyrics. Listen

Juicy Skies - LAZY GHOST

Repetition-based poster with figure repetitions and a bright, dreamy palette.

Juicy Skies inspired a poster centered on the principle of repetition. I used repeating visual motifs to mirror the looping, relaxed feeling of the song especially using the song lyrics that have repetition. The vibrant colors and playful composition aim to capture a dreamy, surreal atmosphere that feels both light and slightly mysterious. Listen

Lilith - Saint Avangeline

Symmetrical stained-glass inspired poster exploring duality and divine femininity.

Lilith is a poster for Saint Avangeline’s song, built around the principle of symmetrical balance. I imagined Lilith as a central, iconic figure framed in stained-glass–like shapes, using mirrored forms and glowing color to express power, mystery, and sacred femininity. The symmetry gives the piece a calm structure while the details remain intense and emotionally charged. Listen

The Willow Maid - Erutan

Pattern-driven poster using organic, flowing motifs inspired by willow branches.

The Willow Maid by Erutan guided this poster focused on pattern. I combined organic, branching shapes and stained-glass textures to echo the natural setting and folk-like quality of the song. The repeating forms suggest both tangled roots and protective branches, wrapping the central figure in a quiet, enchanted atmosphere. Listen

Monocro No Kiss - SID

Hierarchy-based poster using strong structure, typography, and focal points.

Monocro No Kiss is a poster for SID’s song that focuses on visual hierarchy. I used floral shapes, layered type, and strong directional profile to guide the viewer’s eye from the main focal point to supporting details. The monochrome color palette and structured layout reflect the tension and drama in the music. Listen

The Mystic's Dream - Loreena McKennitt

Proportion-focused poster with an oversized figure in a desert landscape.

The Mystic’s Dream by Loreena McKennitt inspired this exploration of proportion. I placed a giant female figure within a natural desert setting to create a sense of myth and spirituality. The unusual scale relationship between her and the landscape suggests that she is part of something larger and timeless, like a dream or a legend, what I imagine as the Mystic's Dream would be. Listen

134340 - BTS

White-space driven poster reflecting themes of distance, loneliness, and identity.

134340 is a poster for BTS’s song, focused on the use of white space. I reduced the visual elements and allowed large empty areas to speak for the feelings of isolation and reclassification in the song, where Pluto is renamed as asteroid 134340, used as an analogy for the names we're giving to our past relationships and people we distance from ourselves. The minimal layout suggests silence, distance, and a quiet search for place and meaning. Listen

Nantes - Beirut

Rhythm-focused poster echoing the song’s flowing instrumentation and mood.

Nantes is a poster for Beirut’s song, built on the design principle of rhythm. Repeating shapes of trumpets, layered lines, and a bright color palette create a visual beat that moves the viewer’s eye around the composition. The design reflects the song’s blend of melancholy and liveliness, as if the music is weaving through a city as the woman dances. Listen

The Truth Untold - BTS

Unity-centered poster with blended shapes and interconnected forms.

The Truth Untold is a poster for BTS’s song exploring the principle of unity. I used color transitions and overlapping shapes to show how separate pieces can come together to form a whole. The gentle composition reflects the emotional honesty of the song and the idea of feelings and self we hide behind a mask affreaid of rejection. Listen

Wolven Storm - Marcin Przybyłowicz

Variety-focused poster blending medieval-inspired imagery with modern layout.

Wolven Storm is a poster based on the design principle of variety. I combined different visual elements, figures, colors, and text blocks, while keeping them unified through strong alignment and framing. The mixture of medieval-inspired imagery of a fox at a lavender field and contemporary graphic structure reflects the song’s storytelling roots and dramatic tone. Listen

The Real Inspector Hound - Tom Stoppard

Play poster combining mystery, humor, and variety in visual elements.

This poster for The Real Inspector Hound explores variety within a theatrical context. I layered clues, characters, and graphic shapes to hint at the play’s mix of mystery and comedy. Different visual elements interact across the layout, but consistent type and alignment keep the design readable and cohesive. The inspiration for the setting was Bingham Hall, the location which me and my senior friends perform the play.