We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ezgi Arslan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ezgi below.

Ezgi, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

When the coronavirus pandemic first began, as I was still adjusting to the new reality, I quickly realized how hard it was for us artists, especially for musicians and the entertainment industry. While considering what I could do to help, I came up with the idea of creating a solidarity platform. The idea was that we, as artists, would volunteer our time and skills to design single or album covers for musicians completely free of charge for a certain period of time. I brought my friends together, and we all organized and launched the project. It went so well that some musicians even offered to provide free samples for the artists to use in their animations. It was a beautiful time, full of solidarity, as the worlds of music and art came together.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

If I were to explain from the very beginning, it would be accurate to say that my career truly began in high school. Being accepted into a fine arts high school opened up countless opportunities for me. The academic art education I received there continues to influence my work today. For university, I spent two weeks in Vienna to apply to the Akademie der Bildenden Künste. Although the school didn’t accept my application, the feedback I received was pivotal. They told me, ‘Anyone with enough technical training can draw like you, but we want to see what’s in your heart and mind.’ That moment marked the real start of my career.

From then on, I focused on expressing my deepest passions, sorrows, and thoughts through my art. One of the milestones of my journey was working with FIFA. It was a dream come true—watching the World Cup at home, sketching it on my own, and then eventually being able to do the same for FIFA during the World Cup itself. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of—relentlessly working to capture my passions as authentically and skillfully as possible.

Another aspect I take great pride in is the versatility of my style. After FIFA, I had the chance to collaborate with the Los Angeles Times, and from there, my portfolio expanded. I love that my work isn’t confined to one genre; I can draw for fashion magazines one day and sketch football players for sports networks the next. That range truly reflects who I am—someone who embraces and thrives in what others might see as contradictions.

How did you build your audience on social media?

After I began sharing my drawings on Instagram, I started to build an organic audience. Consistency in posting was crucial in helping this audience grow. Over time, my following expanded further, especially after I began participating in competitions and events. This exposure led to collaborations with brands and helped me gain recognition among agencies, which also broadened my professional network.

One of the key factors in my social media growth was creating art around significant moments and events. For example, during the Olympics, I shared daily drawings, and some of them even reached the athletes I featured.

After Instagram, LinkedIn became the platform I focused on the most. I made an effort to connect with people working at the agencies of the brands I wanted to collaborate with, and I used it as a way to showcase my work. It proved to be an effective strategy, as many of my clients came through LinkedIn.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My sole goal throughout my career has always been to reflect my passions. When a collaboration aligns with something I’m truly passionate about, I become unstoppable—like the fastest person in the world. So my focus is to keep fueling that passion and to ensure that more and more people experience it with each passing day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ezgiarslancreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kfkfkfxo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezgiarslann/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k26IRoyAVLc
• Other: https://www.behance.net/ezgiarslan

Image Credits

Ezgi Arslan