Merve is a fine binder and artist's book maker; and, as of recently, a bearer of intangible cultural heritage, recognized by Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In other words, she is now part of a living chain of practitioners keeping a traditional craft alive.

Her path into bookbinding started around 2013, through two theses on books and bookmaking [ For curious minds, thesis are: Burcu Dündar: Kitap Nesnesi Nesne Olarak Kitap & Melike Taşçıoğlu: Görsel İletişim Platformu Olarak Kitap], followed by an artist's book-making workshop in 2017.

She trained first in METU - Sociology (BA) and ITU - Industrial design (MA, incomplete), then spent years working as a user experience and service designer. Learning to look closely at people, at everyday details and rituals, at the objects and stories they carry. Bookbinding became the place where those observations could finally meet her hands.

Since 2023, the İstanbul Bookbinding Institute programme has let her focus on artist's books and fine bindings. She continues crafting, teaching, experimenting, collecting, and connecting — through her atelier, fairs, and coffee talks.

For her, making a book is a way of thinking with the fingertips; slowly, materially, one decision at a time. (Okay, maybe two or three.)

There’s always more to learn, build, and share. If something here sparked your curiosity, reach out: say hello. Merve always has room for one more coffee talk.