I’m Maya, a multidisciplinary artist working across illustration, animation, and design. I create moving and still visuals for galleries, musicians, publications, and other clients. Based in London, I have exhibited work internationally and produce work ranging from illustrated covers and posters to animated shorts and music videos. My animated shorts have been recognized at festivals including the World of Film International Festival Glasgow, Raindance, and Venezia Shorts. I explore playful narratives and experimental visual languages that invite curiosity.…

Maya Kurdoglu

PRO

I’m Maya, a multidisciplinary artist working across illustration, animation, and design. I create moving and still visuals for galleries, musicians, publications, and other clients. Based in London, I have exhibited work internationally and produce work ranging from illustrated covers and posters to animated shorts and music videos. My animated shorts have been recognized at festivals including the World of Film International Festival Glasgow, Raindance, and Venezia Shorts. I explore playful narratives and experimental visual languages that invite curiosity.…

Available to hire

I’m Maya, a multidisciplinary artist working across illustration, animation, and design. I create moving and still visuals for galleries, musicians, publications, and other clients.

Based in London, I have exhibited work internationally and produce work ranging from illustrated covers and posters to animated shorts and music videos. My animated shorts have been recognized at festivals including the World of Film International Festival Glasgow, Raindance, and Venezia Shorts.

I explore playful narratives and experimental visual languages that invite curiosity.

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Language

English
Fluent
Turkish
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Artist at creative hub and art store fam
May 1, 2019 - Present
Member of a creative hub and art store, producing original visual works and collaborative projects.
Curatorial assistant at Union Gallery / JARILAGER Gallery
March 1, 2022 - Present
Support for exhibition planning, research, catalogue design, poster creation, and social media/web presence.
Illustrator & Animator at Tamer Elshabrawy
May 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025
animated music videos of whole album
Project Assistant at İnci Eviner at Frieze London
September 1, 2024 - November 1, 2024
Assisted in installation of a large-scale sculpture and running of performances.
Illustrator & Animator at TERE
June 12, 2024 - July 1, 2024
animated music video
Artist & Designer at fam & Engin Özşahin
September 12, 2023 - October 31, 2023
jazz album design
Illustrator & Animator at Sad Moses (aka Paul Moody)
June 12, 2023 - July 12, 2023
animated music video
Illustrator & Designer at Sıfırdan Publishing
August 1, 2022 - December 3, 2022
children’s book
Illustrator & Designer at fam & Engin Özşahin
April 12, 2022 - May 18, 2022
jazz concert poster and flyer
Artistic Director, Lead Animator & Background Artist at Secret Lies
January 1, 2025 - March 31, 2022
short series pilot
Illustrator& Animator at Djanan Turan
August 1, 2021 - October 1, 2021
animated music video
Producer & Animator at ENKA Systems
May 1, 2021 - July 31, 2021
company explainer video
Director & Animator at fam & Sertab Erener
September 11, 2020 - November 4, 2020
animated music video
Illustrator & Animator at fam & Can Ozan
June 30, 2019 - August 9, 2019
performance video
Art Workshops at Barkingside Art Club
September 1, 2018 - July 1, 2020
Led inclusive art workshops, including remote sessions and video content development.
Project Assistant at Aslı Çavuşoglu
June 13, 2018 - September 12, 2018
Assisted in installation for The Place of Stone at the New Museum and Is Not Equal at Contemporary Istanbul.

Education

Bachelor of Arts at Central Saint Martins
September 20, 2013 - June 20, 2016
Product Design
Foundation at Central Saint Martins
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013

Qualifications

Raindance Film Festival | Official Selection
November 10, 2021 - November 26, 2021
Indie Shorts Award Cannes | Official Selection
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Venezia Shorts | Official Selection
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Canlandıranlar Film Festival | Official Selection
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Antakya International Film Festival | Jury Special Award
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Oregon Independent Film Festival | Best Animation
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Independent Short Awards | Best Animation Short Bronze Award
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
World of Film International Festival Glasgow | Semi-Finalist
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Film in Focus | Best Animation Nominee
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Antakya International Film Festival | Jury Special Award
January 1, 2021 - September 8, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Education, Professional Services, Other
    uniE608 Cover Art & Music Video for Ilgaz Altın / 'Ayna Ayna'
    Illustrator and animator of the cover art and short music video for 'Ayna Ayna' by Ilgaz Altın. The visuals combine watercolour, ink, and charcoal, animated using digital techniques to create an expressive visual narrative. animator video illustrator…
    uniE621 Album Design for Engin Özşahin / 'Conversations in Chaos'
    Created a physical installation of printed graphics and text for the jazz album 'Conversations in Chao's by Engin Özşahin. I designed, arranged, and photographed the installation. designer graphicdesigner photo…
    uniE608 Music Videos for 'Clown Code' / Tamer Elshabrawy
    Illustrator and animator for the short music videos of the album 'Clown Code' by Tamer Elshabrawy. The project features frame by frame animation drawn on canvas with inks, set against ink and watercolor backgrounds. Each song has a short looping animation, creating a cohesive visual identity across the entire album. illustrator animator…
    uniE608 'The Coincidental Killing of a Cat by an Unworldly Tune' - Animated Short Film
    Director, animator, and illustrator of the animated short film 'The Coincidental Killing of a Cat by an Unworldly Tune'. The film combines watercolor, stop motion, and hand drawn frame by frame animation to create a distinctive and expressive visual style. It has been recognized at multiple international film festivals and has won awards. filmdirector illustrator animator…
    uniE608 Music Video for Ilgaz Altın / 'Boşuna'
    Illustrator and animator for the short music video of 'Boşuna' by Ilgaz Altın. The video combines watercolor backgrounds with frame by frame morphing animation, creating a fluid, expressive visual narrative that complements the song’s mood and storytelling. video animator illustrator…
    uniE621 Illustrations for Campaner Restaurant Branding
    Created custom illustrations for Campaner Restaurant as part of their branding project with Afroditi Krassa Studio. The illustrations contributed to the restaurant’s visual identity, enhancing its brand personality. See more here: https://www.twine.net/signin illustrator…
    uniE621 Poster & Social Media Graphics for Beykoz Kundura / 'Geçen Gün'
    Designed poster and social media graphics for the theatre play 'Geçen Gün' at Beykoz Kundura. The visuals aimed to capture the mood and essence of the performance while creating a strong and cohesive promotional identity across digital and print platforms. See more here: https://www.twine.net/signin graphicdesigner designer…
    uniE621 Motivational Playing Card Illustration & Design
    Created a series of motivational playing card illustrations and accompanying graphic design for Uniqorn Academy, a wellbeing company. The project included designing custom card artwork and a cohesive visual style, as well as developing the company logo to reflect their brand identity and mission.…
    uniE621 'Fine and Gracious Things' — Picture Book Visuals
    Created illustrations and overall design for the picture book 'Fine and Gracious Things' by Gulsah Ozdemir, published by Sıfırdan Yayınları. Designed a custom font specifically for the book, enhancing its unique visual identity and creating a cohesive, engaging reading experience for children. illustrator designer graphicdesigner…
    uniE608 Explainer Video for ENKA Systems
    Directed and animated a dynamic explainer video showcasing the range of technology system products for the international brand ENKA Systems. The project involved combining motion graphics, illustration, and storytelling to clearly communicate complex technical solutions. Credits: Director, Animator, Illustrator: Maya Kurdoglu Sound Design: Turgut Mavuk Copywriter: Berkin Dalgıç video explainervideo advert animator filmdirector…