‘Designer’s Note’ exhibition opens at Istanbul’s Salt Beyoglu

An exhibition titled “Designer’s Note,” which examines the transformation of graphic design in Türkiye through the lens of books during the late 20th century, has opened to art enthusiasts at Salt Beyoglu.

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the 1970s, when book covers were considered the primary design element, to the 1990s, when books evolved into holistic design objects. During the preview, press members gathered with the exhibition team to explore this transformation.

Salt Beyoglu’s ongoing efforts in design, architecture and art

Speaking at the preview, Salt General Manager Deniz Ova explained that the preparations for the exhibition had been ongoing since last year. She highlighted Salt’s extensive archival work in the fields of design, architecture, and art, noting that these efforts are continually expanding.

Ova emphasized that graphic designers have played a prominent role in these fields, which led Salt to focus on researching this area of interest. “While carrying out these projects, we frequently came across the work of graphic designers, which motivated us to delve deeper into this subject,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the exhibition and stressed that the exhibition aims to shed light on various facets of graphic design.

Evolution of book design in Türkiye

Eda Sezgin, the curator and researcher of the exhibition, noted that the exhibition presents book designs from the period between 1975 and 2000, revealing the changes that occurred in Türkiye during this time. According to Sezgin, these shifts reflect broader political, economic, and cultural transformations in the country. “The perception of books as design objects is closely tied to these changes,” she explained.

Sezgin highlighted that book covers from the 1980s were featured prominently in the exhibition. She pointed out that in this decade, book designers were not deeply involved in the overall content of the book, but were primarily focused on the packaging. However, the 1990s saw a significant shift as computers began to play a role in the design process, allowing for more experimental approaches. Designers started to question traditional methods and embraced more creative, form-based design practices.

Focus on 1990s and beyond

Sezgin stated that the exhibition’s second floor is dedicated to book designs from the 1990s, featuring affordable yet aesthetically pleasing examples.

The final section of the exhibition highlights the period just before the 2000s, showcasing unique works where designers created book designs inspired by the content itself.

About ‘Designer’s Note’

“Designer’s Note” delves into the decision-making processes of designers, their relationships with publishers and printers, and their place within the cultural landscape. Spanning from the third floor of Salt Beyoglu to the Forum area, the exhibition aims to reveal the often-overlooked role of designers in shaping books.

Offering a multi-faceted look at the 2000s’ design culture through books, archival documents, and interviews, the exhibition examines the period that paved the way for redefining books in both print and electronic formats. “Designer’s Note” will be on display at Salt Beyoglu until Feb. 2, 2025.