About Me
Hello! I'm Gülce Besen Dilek, an animation director, illustrator and concept artist based in Germany.
Some of you may have come across my short animated film KOLAJ, which was fortunate to be nominated for the German Short Film Award and the Annie Awards in 2024, and received a few other recognitions along the way. Over the years, I've worked on a variety of projects, including animated films, comics, children's books, and VR games. I'm currently available for freelance work and excited to collaborate on new projects!
Beyond client work, I direct my own animated films, including FORBIDDEN T-SHIRT (2018) and MAKE UP YOUR MIND (2019). Right now, I'm developing my next project.
Background & Education
Originally from Istanbul, I moved to Austria at fifteen to attend high school. Before that, I received a scholarship to take a graphic novel course at Bilgi University in Istanbul, where I was introduced to visual storytelling. Later, I decided to dive deeper into the world of storytelling and continued my journey by studying Animation at the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg's Animationsinstitut.
After graduating, I had the incredible opportunity to further my education through the Animation Sans Frontières scholarship, attending renowned institutions such as Gobelins, MOME, and The Animation Workshop in Viborg.
My Approach
As an art director, I don't have one fixed style. I prefer to design a new style for every project to give it a unique visual identity.
Depending on the client's preference, I comfortably adapt to an already established style as well. I am happy to work across a wide range of 2D styles.
My background as a writer and director shapes how I approach visual style. I look for a look that feels fresh but in tune with the story, and I find the best ideas often come out of open creative conversations.