Fieldwork, Visualization & Materialities: “Working With” in Tarlabaşı, Istanbul

Editorial Design | Page Layout | Human-Centered Design | Design Proposal | Academic Publishing 

What it is:

This was a proposed page design for Fieldwork, Visualization & Materialities: “Working With” in Tarlabaşı, Istanbul, one of the contributions to Political Ecology as Practice: A Regional Approach to the Anthropocene. Although the proposal wasn’t selected for the final publication, I loved the direction and the challenge it posed, and I’m still proud of the work.

The article itself centered on the idea of working with (rather than working on) the community members involved in the research. That spirit of collaboration and respect shaped my design concept—less about authority, more about exchange.

What’s inside:

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Page Design

Thoughtful, well-developed page designs that reflect themes in the academic essay.

Design Direction

Designs rooted in the essay’s core themes of “working with,” not “on”—focused on balance, respect, and conversation.

Not Quite Final

These weren’t published, but they’re pretty close to it. The ideas hold, the vibe works, and honestly? It still slaps.

The book:

Design Approach:

With the article’s emphasis on care, reciprocity, and partnership, I aimed for a layout that felt less clinical and more conversational. The structure gives room to both text and image, allowing each to breathe and support the other. No, it’s not kerned. No, the placeholder text isn’t cleaned up. Yes, I’m still proud of it. Sometimes the idea is the best part—and this one stuck with me.