about me
beste
polatkal
design research · sustainability · systems thinking · participatory design · design futures
i’m a designer with a degree in creative sustainability from aalto university and a background in industrial design. my work brings together sustainability, participatory methods, systems thinking, and critical futures.
i translate complex questions into accessible experiences through research, workshops, artifacts, games, and speculative formats. i’m especially interested in more-than-human perspectives and design approaches that encourage reflection, discussion, and new ways of imagining the future.
education
creative sustainability ma
aalto university
(espoo, finland)
2023-2025
industrial design
metu
(ankara, turkiye)
2017-2023
selected experience
ui/ux designer
benqi
(helsinki, finland)Dec 2023-now
(part-time)
designed and iterated digital product interfaces for web-based services
teaching assistant
aalto university
(espoo, finland)
Jan - March 2025
supported student learning and feedback in a university design course
design generalist
eld bilisim
(ankara, turkiye)
Jan 2022 - Aug 2023
(part-time)
worked across visual, digital, and product-design needs
selected achievements
a few milestones from hackathons, design challenges, and collaborative sustainability projects
Dash Hackathon ’23
1st place
Solve the SDGs ’24
2nd place
Hack the Normal ’22
1st place
interests and hobbies
I’m happiest when I’m camping, deep in a board game, or organizing life around good food
read about the sustainability game nights
