Today we’d like to introduce you to Ceren Arslan.
Ceren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Ceren Arslan. I am a spatial designer and an artist based in New York City. I moved to New York to study architecture at Pratt Institute in 2013 and have been in the States then. Past few years, I’ve been back and forth between LA and New York due to the nature of my work, set design.
I had an incredible experience at Pratt, bathed by all kinds of creatives who came from all around the world. I was wearing my architect hat while being exposed to many genius artist minds who then I later started collaborating with. Untypical to traditional architecture training, this foundation set me up for the success I started to scratch very recently. I curated exhibitions for the Architecture School and organized talks with the architects that students wanted to hear from. I continued working with the school to maintain my academic growth even post graduating college, also participating in the exhibitions. I started working at KPF right after finishing school, one of the best architecture firms in the US and worked on all sizes of projects there at full speed, which led me to start playing around with my own designs. During the lockdown 2020-2022, I spent hours in 3D worlds as if I was playing a computer game, but I was really just designing whatever had come to my mind. Once I hit a collection, I sent my work to publications, galleries, and shows; the return was incredible. I kept creating and publishing while realizing that I want to work at a faster pace with more creative release. That’ when I started working with Bureau Betak
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would be wrong if I said it didn’t, but I truly am enjoying every part of the journey. There were some struggles about being a foreigner, but the main one was taking the road not taken. Coming from an architect family, my life was shaped to become one as well. I played in construction sites as a kid, and I started being trained in high school with drawing and technical classes. I went to an architecture school, interned every summer, and worked in the industry for 4 years after graduating. So, it was the biggest challenge to reshape that path with an untraditional twist. Through this process, I learned to trust what I love and what I am really good at. Still work in progress.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist and a designer. A year ago, I started my own design agency called EXIT, where I specialize in concept architecture, spatial design, and storytelling. I design spaces that you exit into that are unconventional interpretations of familiar contexts. The architectural language of my work is rooted in out-of-the-box thinking and I believe it is satirical and unexpected but familiar enough to convince a story. Embracing the idea of escapism, EXIT’s distinctive style and aesthetics inspire both digital and physical productions.
Some of my clients include Nike, Les Benjamins, Don Julio, W Hotels, Senza Fine, product designers like Pietro Franceschini, record labels, and musicians like DJ Tennis and Carlita. EXIT collection has been showcased at prestigious events such as NYCxDesign, Milan Design Week, NFT NYC, and Zona Maco, as well as recognized by leading publications like Forbes, Dezeen, Design Wanted, and Archdaily (with a Jury Award).
Contact Info:
- Website: exitceren.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exit__Ceren
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceren-arslan-8379aa89/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/exit__ceren
Image Credits
Rawan Mohsen
