Mete Erdogan is an Australian graphic designer and illustrator who started a blog (metedesign.blogspot.com) in the second year (2009) of his degree at Monash University (Honours Degree of Bachelor of Visual Communication) and professional work started coming through around that time. He started working professionally on jobs for friends and one of his first and favourite jobs was the poster for Gorelesque, a horror/burlesque/comedy cabaret. It was produced by the notorious Vesper White, a good friend of his high school buddy, and there was a domino effect from there, other people liked the work, told their friends and it’s been like that ever since.

What inspires me most about Mete, is very similar to that of Misprint's Melissa Williams; in that he loves any design project where he can combine his illustration skills with graphic design. "I’m starting a design career in the most technologically accessible era ever. It seems like anyone with a computer can be a designer, which can clutter the market. When I illustrate in my design work, I feel like I’m doing something a little more unique than most of the stuff out there."
 

 

Most of the time, you’ll find Mete's work on posters in your local café, on comedians’ and band websites and bravely tattooed on people’s chests. Mete is motivated by briefs that challenge his knowledge and skill. Mete gains inspiration from classic designers such as Terry Gilliam, Saul Bass and Paul Rand.

 

In my opinion, these three designers worked in an age where graphic design was seen as an art form. Before computers, you had to know how to draw. That’s why I love including illustration in my design work

 

In terms of Mete's theme and style, it seems as though his approach changes every time he approaches a project. However,  the end result is mostly illustrative and appears to be based on heavy research.

 

The works above are a work in progress: the creation of a visual identity for a new Melbourne restaurant. The client asked for a 1920’s comic book vibe so it appears as though Mete is giving them his version of 1920’s comic.

 

My favourite project designed by Mete is easily a graphic novel titled ‘Melburbia’. It was Mete's honours project in 2011 where he answered the research question ‘How can visual storytelling be utilized to critique the suburban cultures of Melbourne?’

During his year of research, he spent many hours on the Frankston train line, sketching commuters, reading other graphic novels (ie. Shaun Tan’s ‘The Arrival’, MarjamSatrapi’s ‘Persepolis and Frank Miller’s Sin City) and brushing up on Melbourne history and current affairs.

Each chapter of ‘Melburbia’ is set in a different Melbourne suburb where he explore its cultural stereotypes (bogans, hipsters, soccer mums) by changing the media and colours used. The story follows the exploits of an unlikely duo, the bogan and the hipster. The result is both hilarious and informative.
It is my favourite because it is obvious that Mete had to immerse himself in the project he was passionate about and in a city he clearly loved. Everyone I have spoken to who has read Melburbia can relate to at least one of the situations in the book.
 

 

Macbook Pro (with Adobe suite)
Dell Monitor
Laser printer
Wacom Intuos 4 drawing tablet
Speakers
Copic Markers
Sketchbook
Fine liners
Pencils
 

Favourite tool: 2B pencil.  "No matter how much technology advances, you’ll always need to draw your ideas first."