26th EXHIBITION OF GRAPHIC PRODUCTS OPENED ITS DOORS, AWARD WINNERS WERE ANNOUNCED

Turkish Society of Graphic Design (GMK)'s "26th Exhibition of Graphic Products", taking place at garajistanbul on 15th-24th of June, opened its doors to the visiting public on the night of the 15th. This year, there are 140 graphic designers participating in the exhibition with 673 products. The exhibition comprises of two sections: competition and non-competition. The opening was hosted by Ayhan Sicimoğlu and Yeşim Demir, Chairperson of GMK's board of directors. 44 award winners were announced.

"Exhibition of Graphic Products" is an event organized by GMK for the past 26 years with the sole purpose of contributing to the development of graphic design through the introduction, exhibition and evaluation of new works realized in all branches of graphic design.

It is, in a way, an "end-of-year presentation" of all works created in the field of graphic design, holding the pulse on the changing currents and recent developments taking place not only in its related field but also in a wide range of different sectors, with the exhibited works classified into 22 categories.

This year, the main sponsors of the event were Bahçıvan Gıda and ManAjans and Reklamevi. The artist who was presented with the most number of awards in all categories was Ali Batı. He was also given the "Young Designer of the Year Award" by Eczacıbaşı Foundation.

Yeşim Demir, GMK's Chairperson of the Board of Directors: "Graphic designers must not only be concerned with producing design but also strive for a better life for all human beings."

On the 28th anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Society of Graphic Design, Chairperson of the Board of DirectorsYeşim Demir has remarked that they focused this year on many new projects alongside the exhibition which is eagerly awaited every year and that GMK's main objective was to lead projects that value human beings and the youth, striving all the time for a better life.

Yeşim Demir has reported that a project to join in the dialogue of non-governmental organizations in the European Union Member States and Candidate States and a series of conferences to be held at universities that offer graphic design education were among such important initiatives. The conferences are planned to take place in the months of October and November, aiming to share the Istanbul-centred knowledge and experience of the design sector with other cities. GMK will also be running a workshop in July as part of the Yahşi Bey Design Studies organized by Emre Sinan Design Foundation. The workshop is targeted towards reviving the students' outlook on design by introducing them to different perspectives other than what's offered in the formal curriculum.

28 Years of The Turkish Society of Graphic Design

Turkish Society of Graphic Design (GMK) was founded in 1978 with the purpose of furthering developments in graphic design, uniting graphic designers and protecting their rights.

Since its foundation, the organization has dedicated itself through its activities to the task of bringing together designers and industrialists in the sector and organized an annual Exhibition of Graphic Products, offering rewards for the winners of a general competition. The association has been a member of ICOGRADA - The International Council of Graphic Design Associations) since 1993. The association issues regular announcements of national and international competitions; prepares a minimum fee tariff in order to establish a common rate regulation for designers and customers; designates jurors and establishes competition guidelines for design competitions organized by various institutions.

History of GMK Special Awards

A total of six special awards are offered each year by persons and organizations who are nourished with their faith in design.

ECZACIBAŞI YOUNG DESIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD
(presented by Dr. Nejat Eczacıbaşı Foundation)

Founded in 1978, the foundations's mission statement declares that the organization is dedicated to contributing towards Turkey's economic development, promoting scientific research, preserving and developing Turkish culture and art, contributing towards education and development in the rural areas. In accordance with these goals, the foundation hosts a "Modern Turkish Art Collection", has publications in various artistic disciplines, provides sponsorship for young and extraordinary talents to train abroad and gain virtuosity and provides funding for primary and secondary schools and various scientific research institutions.

TÜYAP BOOK COVER AWARD
(presented by Tüyap Fuarcılık A.Ş.)

Established in 1979, Tüyap specializes in the organization of fairs and conventions, promotion of products and services in the local markets to the international sectors and vice versa through the rental of its congress and convention centres to national and international institutions and corporations. Tüyap has introduced the fair and convention organization sector as a methodical trade activity in Turkey. Since its first event in June 1981, Tüyap has organised 990 exhibitions, congresses and conventions, 879 of which were in Turkey. The country was represented in 30 countries at 111 international events. It is the only fair organization corporation in Turkey with its own convention grounds and centres. Tüyap has adopted the TS EN ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System on 7 February 2002. The company has pioneered the foundation of Turkish Exhibition Organizers Association, and is currently the president of the association. It is also a member of the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), INTEREXPO , ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) and UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). Tüyap is the only existing Turkish member of INTEREXPO which is the global organization of exhibition organizers that are authorized to promote their countries on the international platform and has performed as the Global President of this organization for two presidency periods.

İHAP HULUSİ POSTER AWARD İhap Hulusi (1898 - 1986)

(This year, this award is presented by BASEV Industry and Education Foundation)

He was born in 1898 in Cairo and received his primary and secondary education at the British schools in this city. In 1920, he went to Germany to receive traning in art. He worked for three years at the Haimann Schule Studio in Munich. After completing his education at the Kunstsgewerbe Schule, he returned to Turkey to work at the Akbaba Journal alongside Münif Fehim and Ramiz. In 1929, he opened his own design studio in Istanbul. His most popular works have been the label of Club Raki and the cover of the Alphabet commissioned by Atatürk. He has also served several establishments including Ziraat Bank, İş Bank, Turkish Air Institution, Kızılay, Yeşilay, Tariş and Institution of Agricultural Facilities. For many years, he's worked for the National Lottery and Tekel. His works also won international acclaim. He could speak Arabic, German, English and French. He passed away in 1986, in Istanbul.

EMİN BARIN LOGOTYPE AWARD Emin Barın (1913-1987)

(presented by the Barın family)

Emin Barın was born in 1913, in Bolu. After completing his primary and secondary education in his birth city, he gained admission to İstanbul Teachers School for Men. In 1934, he entered the Arts Department of Ankara Gazi Education Institute. After training in calligraphy and classic Turkish bookbinding at the Turkish Decorative Arts Department of the Fine Arts Academy, he went to Germany. He studied for one year at Prof. Dorfner's private bookbinding school. His book Olympiad received first prize at the Hamburg Book Fair. After completing his studies on bookbinding and publishng in Leipzig, he returned to Turkey and began working as head of the technical Office at the National Education Printing House. In 1946, he was commissioned by the Ministry of National Education to produce the inscriptions for the country's coins. He inscribed the text of Atatürk's Grand Speech (This work is now in Dolmabahce Palace.) He also worked on inscriptions to be installed in Anıtkabir (Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara) He prepared the relief sculptures of the texts of the "Address to Turkish Youth" and the "10th Anniversary Address" which are located on the either side of the mausoleum's entrance. He prepared the frieze and dedicatory inscriptions for the ten towers and the embellished and gilded signature book at Anıtkabir. He participated in many international exhibitions and was presented with the Acknowledgement and Gratitude Award by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and 40 Years of Teaching Award by the Fine Arts Academy. He passed away in 1987.

ŞULE SÖNMEZ ILLUSTRATION AWARD Şule Sönmez (1949 - 1986)

(presented by Y&R / Reklamevi)

Born in 1949, she graduated from the Visual Arts Department of the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts. She compeleted her internship in set design at Kenter Theatre. From 1973, she has worked at Ses and Istanbul Advertising Agencies. Her illustrations and posters hold a significant place in her career. Her poster

"15th Anniversary of the Revolution" for the Palestine Liberation Organization adorned the streets of Beirut for a long time. Having also worked on animation and caricatures, her most fervent wish has always been to pursue her career in theatre design. A sudden illness took her life in 1986.

BİKEM ÖZSUNAY FOUNDATION POSTER AWARD Bikem Özsunay
(1971-1993)

(presented by the Bikem B. Özsunay Foundation)

She was born in 1971, in Istanbul. She took a year abroad for language tuition and studied the 6th grade at the Belle Terre Middle School in the USA. She completed her secondary education at the Private Doğuş Highschool in 1983-1989. In 1989, she gained admission to the Graphics Department of Bilkent University's Fine Arts Faculty. After two years at Bilkent, she transferred to Mimar Sinan University's Department ıf Graphic Arts in 1991. She studied abroad to learn English and German. She compeleted her internship at the Ofset Printing House and Young&Rubicam Advertising Agency. In the summer of 1992, she worked as Assistant Director at the 3rd Istanbul International Biennial. In September 1993, she began her professional career as a graphic designer in Terranova. She was twenty-two years old and in her fourth year of study at Mimar Sinan University when she lost her life in a tragic traffic accident.