Meet Çakıl
Çakıl Ece Ç is the art director from İzmir who left the corporate world and came to Berlin to walk dogs, illustrate and make fun objects for grown-up children.
They craft thoughtful and playful prints, hold regular doodling clubs in Berlin and have a market stand with their partner where they sell all their creations!
We asked Çakıl how they got into drawing and here’s what they said:
I wanted to study philosophy by the time, then I realized I could only become a philosophy teacher. My partner during that time (still the same person) was studying visual communication design and lead me to illustration.
My sketchbook is my little buddy. I carry it everywhere! Recently I'm obsessed with marker pens. I love the way they blend together. Also, I use blockprint and have some risoprints thanks to Colorama.
Çakıl works from home in their living room with their little big canine helper, seen here.
How did you end up in Berlin doing what you’re doing?
I used to be an art director and one day I called my dad, crying, and said that I don't want to work in the field of advertisement and wanted to become a dog-walker. 1 year later my partner and I moved to Berlin, I became a dog-walker/pet sitter. As an independent designer, this side hustle gives me financial freedom. Also thanks to them I make around 30.000 steps per day and my biggest obsession is solving sudoku.
What’s your dream collaboration look like?
I want to do a collaboration with Naturkundemuseum. Because I'm really obsessed with Bobby. Bobby is the first gorilla that became to his adulacent in Berlin Zoo. In couple of years, I want to have my own studio where people can visit, can produce together and give workshops.
Find Çakıl’s illustrations and risoprints at mijas Thursday - Friday 13-19 and Saturday 12-18
Çakıl Ece Ç on instagram: @cakilecec