ABOUT ME
Hi, welcome to my website! Let me briefly introduce myself.
My name is Ahsen Zeynep Melekoğlu. I was born in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, in 2009, and I currently live in Istanbul, Türkiye.
I am interested in design, drawing, sports, playing the piano, and creative activities. I am especially interested in industrial design and I am continuously working to improve my skills and knowledge in this field.
My Interest In Design
My interest in design became more apparent during my high school years. As I began researching the field of industrial design, I became more interested in drawing, product design, and problem-solving. To develop my skills and deepen my interest in this field, I attended various design workshops and seminars and also took drawing and design courses.
Languages
Turkish — Native
English —Upper-Intermediate (SAT R&W: 470/800,
IELTS: …/9
German – Intermediate
Academic & Design Interests
• Industrial & product design
• Human-centered design
• Accessibility and inclusive design
• Creative problem solving
• Design thinking and prototyping
• International and youth programs
• Culture, museums and travel
Skills
• Sketching and visual observation
• Creative thinking
• Teamwork and communication
• Time management and responsibility
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• Playing piano
• Drawing
Selected Creative Work
• Handmade ukulele — assembled, painted, and personalized from a kit (2026)
• Painting and drawing — ongoing portfolio development
Trainnigs
Khan Academy • Schoolhouse
• Private English course (Besides school courses) (May 2026-continues)
• Drawing and Designing Course (July 2026- continues)
• STEM & Robotics programming (took classes at elementary and middle schools)
• STEM & Robotics programming (July 2026-continues)
• Python (July 2026-continues)
International & Cultural Exposure
Participated in family and school travel in the USA and Europe, including Missouri, Chicago, Madison, France, Germany, and Italy.
Visited museums, historical sites, universities, and cultural venues including the Museum of Innocence, Yapı Kredi Modern Art Museum, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul Technical University, Ephesus, and Dolmabahçe Palace.
My Travel
Italy (April, 2026)
Europe school trip (November, 2025)
USA: Missouri, Chicago & Madison (July-September 2023)
France & Germany (January, 2019)
Volunteer & Work Experience
Participation, (22 May 2026). Design Theory and Principles. Üretimhane / Academy of Arts and Design London
Participation, (2025). “Sanata Açılan Kapı” Painting Exhibition. Üsküdar High School and Üsküdar School District
Assessment, (2022). Oxford Placement Test for Young Learners (B1 (Score:80). Oxford University Press / Şehir College
Participations, (19 March 2022). International Mathematics Kangaroo Competition – Turkey. Kangourou Sans Frontières / Mathematics Kangaroo Turkey
Diploma/Award, (2022). 18th International Science Fundamentals Knowledge Competition – English (3rd Place-winner). URFODU
Achievement, (2022). German Language Semester Certificate (Basic German communication). Şehir Middle School
Achievement, (2022). eTwinning Project: "Now" Project Logo Designing. eTwinning / Şehir College
Achievement, (2022). 18th International Science Fundamentals Knowledge Competition – Mathematics. URFODU
Achievement, (2022). Information Technologies and Coding Program. Digital Informatics Academy
Achievement, (2022). Music Achievement Certificate. Özel Şa Music
Participation, (Fall, 2019). Sports Culture and Olympic Education Program. Turkish Olympic Committee / Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education
Achievement, (25 January, 2018). Taekwondo Belt Examination (red & black). Eskişehir Arı Youth Services Sports Club Association
My Goals
After graduating from high school, I want to study Industrial Design at university. During my college education, I aim to improve my skills in drawing, product development, user-centered design, and production.
In the future, I hope to become a designer who creates creative, accessible, and meaningful products that can be used by different people and make everyday life a little easier.
Activities and Trainings
To further develop myself in the field of industrial design, I participated in the “Hayal Et-Tasarla-Üret” workshop at Maltepe University and also took part in Kadıköy Design Workshops. In addition, I completed the “Design Theory and Principles” course at Üretimhane.
In May 2026, I attended the Global Design Forum, where I had the opportunity to explore the work of different designers and learn about contemporary design perspectives. I also took a four-month industrial design drawing course with Mehmet Mehmetalioğlu, which helped me improve my drawing skills and better understand the visual side of product design.
Congress/ Symposium/ Seminar & Workshops
Listener, (4 June, 2026-Seminar, online). Decision Making in Extreme Contexts with Marcello Russo, Scientific Director of the Global MBA at Bologna Business School from Italy.
Listener, (14-16 May, 2026-Congress, in person). Global Design Forum Istanbul, Turkiye.
Listener, (13 May, 2026-Seminar, in person). Industrial Designer Talks. Kadıköy, Istanbul
Trainning, (20 May, 2026, online). Education on Design Theory and Principles provided for four hours via zoom by Uretimhane/ Academy of Arts and Design London
One Day Workshop, (20 May, 2026, in person). Imagine-Design-Create: Discover Design provided two hours in person by Maltepe University, Faculty of Architecture and Design, İstanbul
Volunteer & Work Experience
Volunteer intern, (July, 2026). Boğaziçi University Assistive Technology and Education Laboratory for Individuals with Visual Disabilities (GETEM), İstanbul, Türkiye.
Volunteer Intern, (July–August 2023). Art Underground Downtown, Missouri, USA
Assistant, (June–July 2023). Dilek Hairdresser, Eskişehir, Türkiye
Volunteer & Work Experience
Achievement, (2025). Certificate of Honor – Academic Achievement and Exemplary Conduct. İstanbul Üsküdar High School Achievement, (2023). Top 4% Nationwide in the National High School Entrance Exam (LGS). Ministry of National Education (MoNE), Türkiye
Achievement, (2019). Full Merit Scholarship – Özel Şehir Middle School, Eskişehir.
Achievement, (2018). Selected for the Science and Art Centers (BİLSEM) Entrance Examination. Ministry of National Education (MoNE), Türkiye
Education
I am currently a senior at Istanbul Üsküdar High School. In addition to my academic studies, I have participated in various courses, workshops, and events related to design, drawing, and creative thinking throughout high school.