Hello! I’m Nil* Yalcinkaya.
*Rhymes with: "will, chill, till..." - Meaning: "The River Nile".
(And no, please don't bother pronouncing my surname.)
(And no, please don't bother pronouncing my surname.)
Leveraging an award-winning background in brand strategy and creative copywriting, I bring a unique perspective to the design process:
I bridge the gap between brand vision and user reality, through the help of AI-Powered Experience Design.
I bridge the gap between brand vision and user reality, through the help of AI-Powered Experience Design.
Profile
In a Nutshell:
👩🏻💻 Between 2010 and 2022, worked as a graphic designer, copywriter, communication expert, brand strategist, and brand designer.
🩻 Seen the business world from different perspectives, inside out: project, agency, corporation, startup, and freelancing.
🌍 Worked with more than 60 clients around the globe, including small businesses and startups, and helped them build their brand strategy, positioning, and visual identity with 1:1 consulting.
🤖 Now, after a caregiving period and moving to Germany, added AI-powered UX research, ideation, and design skillset; ready for pivoting from marketing to tech.
🧗🏻♀️ Currently taking German lessons towards level B2 and open to new job opportunities.
Values
Design as a Philosophy:
Whether the context is service, customer experience, user experience, brand identity, physical objects, spaces, AI-chatbots, or even complex global issues, the core mindset remains consistent:
"Better systems lead to better outcomes for humanity; and when humanity improves, everything around it, is positively affected."
This perspective is why I view design not merely as a modern job title, but as a timeless, almost sacred role that has existed for as long as humanity itself.
Validation
Awards:
"Best Advertisements of the Year", 1st & 3rd Place
Crystal Apple Awards Istanbul, Turkiye - 2013
"Best Advertisements in Body Care and Health Product Industry", 1st Place
The Red Awards Anatolia, Turkiye - 2012
"Best Advertisements in Soft Drink Industry", 1st Place
"Live Creativity Competition", 1st Place
"Live Creativity Competition", 1st Place
The Red Awards Anatolia, Turkiye - 2011
"Best Advertisements in Tourism and Entertainment Industry", 1st Place & 2nd Place
The Red Awards Anatolia, Turkiye - 2010
Client Reviews:
Personal Stuff
Life Path in a Nutshell:
🐣 Born in Istanbul, 1986.
🚌 Raised in a small touristic town called Marmaris, then moved to Ankara in 2004 for further education.
🎓 Graduated from Bilkent University Arts & Design Faculty, Communication Design, in 2008.
✍️ Started working as a copywriter, then as a corporate communication expert, and finally freelance brand strategist and brand designer roles.
💍 Married in 2011.
👶 First son was born in 2016, the second in 2022.
🇩🇪 Moved to Germany in 2023.
Interests:
📚 I'm driven by hyper-curiosity periods evolving around psychology, sociology, consciousness, anthropology, mythology and history (mostly BCE).
🎨 I enjoy exploring the city on foot; I also like journaling, doodling, clay sculpting, and if no one is around, singing.
🐴 Oh, and I love animals. Particularly horses.