Good People of vitruta: Dilara Karakaş
Dilara Karakaş, the newest member of the good people of vitruta! We met up with Dilara for a delightful photoshoot around Pera before sunset, and afterward joined our other friends from Good People—Ece Ağırtmış, Selin Tahtakılıç, and Emir Yargın—at our neighborhood member Taycan's home. Together, we enjoyed a beautiful evening accompanied by Vindemia Güz and managed to squeeze in an interview with Dilara too! Enjoy reading!
Welcome to the Good People of vitruta, Dilara! Let's start with our classic question: Who is Dilara Karakaş? How did your journey begin, how is it going, and what are you currently up to?
Hello, thank you! I’m an illustrator focused on the animation industry. I’d say I’ve been drawing since I was born! As a child, I spent most of my time drawing—so much that it even worried my mother a bit. :) After spending countless hours watching cartoons as a child, I graduated from Fine Arts High School in my hometown, İzmir, and then moved to Eskişehir to study Animation at Anadolu University. My first freelance gig was as a Background Artist in a film for the National Film and Television School UK during my third year. That short film was shown at various festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, LSFF, Anima Mundi, and LIAF. After university, I moved to Istanbul, where I worked as a director and art director on numerous motion design projects, both domestically and internationally, for brands like Eti, Red Bull, Turkish Airlines, UNESCO, Akbank, Bein Sports, European Commission, and Cornetto. Currently, I’m actively working on a game project with a team and managing my own projects. Telling stories within a film or game is my greatest passion.
You went to the same school as your close friends Ece Ağırtmış and Selin Tahtakılıç, who are also members of the Good People of vitruta. It seems that your journey toward visual arts began back in high school. How did that path from high school lead you to where you are today as a visual designer and animation artist?
Yes, my friendship with Ece and Selin goes way back. Studying painting in high school with my closest friends, shaping our futures together, and supporting each other was incredibly impactful. Though we pursued different fields after high school, we’ve always remained close. My love for cinema and cartoons drew me toward animation. After joining the program, I explored all aspects of animation and realized that designing and creating for it was my true calling.
Among your work, I find your animation projects especially captivating. What’s it like to imagine, draw, and bring these characters to life?
Creating animations is a unique experience. It’s a process that requires immense patience and an ability to perform. Starting from scratch, feeling connected to the character you’ve created, and making others feel that connection is truly magical. It feels as though you’re touching them with a magic wand, bringing them to life at the end.
What inspires you when working on your projects? Where do you find your creative fuel?
On an ordinary day, I can find an inspiring scene while just walking down the street. Istanbul, especially, is a great source of inspiration for me. I often encounter something I’ve never noticed before, even in places I pass by regularly. Sometimes stories come from buildings, sometimes from people. I often pause to photograph scenes that spark ideas for future drawings.
Could you share some animation artists whose work you particularly admire and who hold a special place for you?
There are so many artists I admire, but I’ll try to choose a few. :) Klaus is a film that took years to make because of the technique used, and I followed its production closely back when I was studying animation. I have great admiration for the film’s director, Sergio Pablos, and art director Syzmon Biernacki. Kevin Dart, known for Powerpuff Girls and Steven Universe, is another name I can’t overlook. Alex Hirsch’s work on the Gravity Falls series has also deeply inspired me.
What books, podcasts, or movies/series have you been into recently that have influenced you?
Lately, I keep revisiting a book that’s always close at hand: 101 Things I Learned in Film School. I flip through it now and then to keep my knowledge fresh. I’ve also been listening to The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast. And in a similar vein, there’s a documentary series called Sketchbook based on career journeys at Disney, which I’d recommend as well. :)
