A sunlit workshop interior with wooden workbenches and handcrafted ceramic pieces in warm terracotta and cream tones, calm and artisanal atmosphere

Design Team

The curators and designers shaping the Atlas Harran Design Collection

The Atlas Harran Design Collection brings together a thoughtfully assembled team of creatives who share a deep reverence for Mesopotamian heritage. Curated by Dilek Öztürk and Bilgen Coşkun, founders of in-between.online, the design team draws upon the ancient knowledge systems and aesthetic traditions of the Harran plains and surrounding regions. Each contributor brings a unique perspective shaped by the layered civilizations that once flourished across these lands, from astrolatry and celestial worship to the sophisticated craft traditions of Sumer, Akkad, and beyond. The result is a collaborative effort that bridges millennia of cultural wisdom with contemporary design sensibilities.

The collection features works inspired by the celestial bodies that held profound meaning for the ancient Haranians. Designers have looked to the moon god Sin, the sun god Shamash, and the goddess Ishtar as creative anchors, translating their symbolic resonance into modern objects and textiles. References to lunar cycles, star patterns, and the alignment of planets appear throughout the collection, echoing the astral beliefs that once guided daily life in Mesopotamia. These cosmic motifs are rendered through contemporary techniques, allowing ancient wisdom to find new expression in tableware, textiles, and home goods that speak to timeless human curiosity about the heavens above.

Materiality plays a central role in the collection's translation of Mesopotamian aesthetics to the present day. Warm earth tones, natural fibers, and handcrafted finishes evoke the texture of ancient settlements while meeting modern standards of design and durability. Olive, sand, and terracotta hues connect the objects to the landscape of the Harran plains, while deep espresso and cream tones provide a sophisticated backdrop for the collection's visual narratives. The design team has carefully considered how traditional techniques such as wood carving, weaving, and ceramic work can be reimagined through a contemporary lens, honoring ancestral craftsmanship without resorting to mere reproduction.

Sustainability and cultural continuity are woven into the very fabric of the Atlas Harran Design Collection. The initiative seeks to integrate global design discussions with social responsibility, supporting local artisans and preserving endangered craft traditions while creating objects of lasting value. By referencing the multi-layered architectural and spiritual structures of Mesopotamian civilizations, the collection encourages a deeper understanding of how design can serve as a bridge between past and present. Each piece carries with it a story of place, belief, and human ingenuity, inviting users to engage with history not as a distant relic but as a living, breathing influence on how we shape our environments today.

The Atlas Harran Design Collection brings together a distinguished group of curators and designers who translate Mesopotamian knowledge and aesthetics into contemporary works. Each contributor brings a unique perspective, united by a shared commitment to craftsmanship and social impact.

Curators

Portrait of Aslı Smith, warm natural light on a neutral backdrop, calm and thoughtful expression

Dr. Bilgen Coşkun

Curator & Co-founder, in-between.online

Bilgen completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Bilkent University and went on to earn a doctorate. Together with Dilek Öztürk, he founded in-between.online, a platform exploring the intersection of design, culture, and social engagement. His curatorial vision anchors the Atlas collection in both scholarly depth and contemporary relevance.

Studio portrait of a woman curator against a warm cream backdrop, composed and professional, soft natural lighting

Dilek Öztürk

Curator & Co-founder, in-between.online

Dilek Öztürk co-founded in-between.online with Bilgen Coşkun, bringing a deep sensitivity to material culture and social design. Her curatorial work on the Atlas collection bridges global design discourse with the living heritage of Harran, ensuring each piece carries both aesthetic integrity and a meaningful story.

Designers

Portrait of Aslı Smith, warm natural light on a neutral backdrop, calm and thoughtful expression

Aslı Smith

Designer

Aslı Smith designed a collection of felt rugs and wall hangings inspired by symbols and patterns of Mesopotamian culture. Her work translates celestial motifs into tactile, handcrafted textiles produced by women in the Harran ateliers.

Studio portrait of a male designer against a muted olive backdrop, focused and creative, soft diffused light

Barış Gün

Designer

Barış Gün designed the H-Cut series — a group of wooden cutting boards that double as serving platters. His work draws on the material traditions of the region, crafted with precision in the wood atelier at ADEM.

Studio portrait of a female designer against a soft sand backdrop, poised and elegant, warm daylight

Begüm Cana Özgür

Designer

Begüm Cana Özgür created the Sin, Shamas, and Ishtar pieces, inspired by Harranian astrolatry beliefs. Her work channels ancient reverence for the moon and sun into contemporary forms.

Studio photograph of two designers from DAY Studio, collaborative and modern, against a clean cream backdrop

DAY Studio

Design Studio

DAY Studio contributed two collections: the Mırra coffee cup series — a contemporary translation of the traditional Mesopotamian Mırra cup — and Eclipse, a tableware set referencing lunar eclipses.

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Öykü Özgencil

Designer

Öykü Özgencil designed the Atlas tote bag, inspired by the astronomical works of Harran. Her piece brings a functional, everyday object into dialogue with the region's rich intellectual heritage.

Studio portrait of a female designer against a muted navy backdrop, serene and focused, soft directional light

Şule Koç

Designer

Şule Koç contributed to the Atlas collection with work that engages the material and symbolic language of the Harran region, adding another distinctive voice to the design team.

See the Work

Explore the full collection of products designed by this team and handmade by women in Harran.