Published on
25/1/2024

Channeling Creativity as a Graphic Designer: Meet Birsu Köktür

Alessandro Neri
People & Culture Manager at Magic Design

In the constantly changing world of design, we're excited to introduce one of our incredible graphic designers, Birsu. From the beautiful country of Turkey, Birsu channels her limitless creativity in her design work from the vibrant city of Izmir.

Wanna see a little visual introduction she prepared?

Q1: Can you walk us through your professional journey before considering a role at Magic Design?

From a very young age, I've been drawn to creative pursuits, and it was clear to me early on that I wanted to build a career in a creative field. This passion led me to pursue a degree in Visual Communication Design, where I learned the fundamentals of design and honed my designing skills.

Even before completing my studies, I started taking on freelance graphic design projects for clients, which provided me with valuable real-world experience. After graduating, I decided to dive fully into freelancing, with more focus on UI/UX design. This shift allowed me to further develop my skills in UI/UX design too, and I had the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of clients from different industries.

Q2: Why did you decided to join Magic Design?

I decided to join Magic Design because it offered the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, continuously challenging and enhancing my skills in both graphic design and UI/UX Design. Additionally, it’s fundamental to have the possibility to collaborate with a team of creative individuals. I believe that working alongside such talented people will not only inspire me but also push me to grow as a designer.

Q3: Can you share your experience during the recruitment process, and were there any specific aspects that stood out to you?

The recruitment process was smooth and enjoyable. Sina and Max were both very friendly and encouraging throughout the whole process, which made me feel comfortable and welcome. One thing that stood out to me was the “demo week” before the hiring decision. It was very helpful as it allowed me to become familiar with the company and the workflow. This experience not only helped them assess if I was the right fit for the role but also gave me the opportunity to see if Magic Design was the right fit for me.

Q4: For the Designer role, which are the most valuable soft skills that helped you in your journey?

Attention to detail has been important in my design journey. It ensures that my designs are polished and precise, contributing to the overall quality of the final product.

Flexibility is another skill I prioritise, helping me adapt to changing project requirements and feedback. This approach has been valuable in problem-solving and finding design solutions that fit evolving needs.

Q5: Could you walk us through a typical day in your current role? What tasks and responsibilities do you find most engaging and challenging?

In my current role, our team starts the day with a team call where we receive a brief overview of our tasks for the day. After the call, I prioritise my tasks and have a chat with project managers to discuss the details. Once I have a clear understanding, I dive into my tasks. Some tasks require extensive collaboration with project managers, especially for complex issues that needs to be solved.

I particularly enjoy working on social media tasks as they allow for creativity and exploring new ideas. The most challenging tasks for me are those where clients haven't provided clear expectations, leaving us to make assumptions and decisions. These tasks require a lot of back-and-forth to ensure we deliver the desired results.

Q6: Among our core values (Create “WOW”, Pixel Perfect, Own it, Trust & Reliability, Figure it out, Always Communicate), which resonates with you the most, and how do you embody that value in your work?

I resonate most with the core values of 'Own it' and 'Always Communicate.' For me, this means taking full responsibility for both positive and negative feedback, and actively seeking solutions to address any client dissatisfaction. Clear and open communication is key in my approach. If I'm uncertain about something, I prefer to ask questions to ensure that the end result meets the client's expectations and leaves them satisfied.

Q7: If you were to speak to potential candidates considering joining Magic Design, what advice or insights would you share with them?

Working with multiple clients and tasks simultaneously may seem daunting at first. Once you become familiar with the workflow though, it becomes enjoyable and pushes you to improve your problem-solving and time management skills as a designer.

Q8: When you're not navigating the design world with Magic Design, what's a personal passion or hobby that brings balance into your routine?

When I'm not working, I still enjoy pursuing creative activities. Ceramics and creating handmade items are among my hobbies. Engaging in these hobbies allows me to continue expressing my creativity outside of work.

Q9: And now… last question! If your morning coffee could grant you a superpower for the day, what would it be?

I would definitely choose the power to clone myself, with each clone working efficiently on different projects. It would certainly make for a productive and exciting day!

About Magic Design

Magic Design is an Unlimited Design Subscription Service for Startups and Scaleups founded in 2023 by Maximilian Fleitmann and Sina Sadegh. Since our launch, we’ve empowered over 50 businesses with stunning design and Webflow work.

Marketers and Founders are able to save time and money on Design thanks to our streamlined project management and our flexible and transparent monthly design subscription that allows for unlimited design tasks and revisions.

Interested in joining our remote-first, innovative and growing company? Check out our open positions.

About the author
Alessandro Neri
People & Culture Manager at Magic Design
Born and raised in my hometown Bologna in Italy, I’ve always been passionate about Technology and People, so found the perfect fit in the Human Resources field. My experience spans diverse sectors, allowing me to bring a well-rounded perspective and I’ve actively contributed to the organisational fabric of companies like Nord Security, PwC and Workmotion, fostering talent development and implementing strategic HR initiatives.