Mercado Design Days 2026: Istanbul's Design Community Gathers Again

Photography: Aydın Korkmaz

Mercado Design Days returned for its second edition from May 14 to 17, 2026, bringing together Istanbul's creative scene for four days at 212 Studio in Karaköy. The event established an interdisciplinary meeting ground spanning design, architecture, art, gastronomy, and creative technology — offering visitors a dense program of exhibitions, talks, experiences, and performances. Held at the historically atmospheric 212 Studio, this year's edition once again welcomed both local and international creative figures, reinforcing Istanbul's growing role in the global design conversation.

What Is Mercado Design Days?

Mercado Design Days is an annual interdisciplinary design festival organized by Mercado, Istanbul's leading design and art publishing platform. Now in its second edition, the festival creates a space where collectible design, contemporary craft, material research, and experimental production methods intersect — bridging local Turkish design culture with a global creative dialogue.

Where: 212 Studio, Karaköy, Istanbul When: May 14–17, 2026 Edition: 2nd

The Exhibition: Collectible Design, Craft & Material Research

The 2026 exhibition program revolved around collectible design, contemporary craft, material research, and experimental production processes. The curated selection brought together design studios and independent makers from Turkey and beyond, making current design approaches visible through furniture, objects, lighting, and spatial installations. Throughout the exhibition, particular attention was drawn to material transformation, sustainable production methods, and contemporary reinterpretations of handcraft.

Mercado Design Days went beyond simply offering a product-focused presentation space — it also constructed a cultural encounter, and through its exhibition selection, created a space for reflection on contemporary design culture.

Participating designers and studios in the 2026 exhibition:

Ahu / Akademie / Alp Nuhoğlu / Alt Üst / Bilge Ceramics / BURÉAU / Edetri / Ediz Anavi / Ekin Bernay / Epicene / Ez+Lura / Geostudio / İlaerg / Kaferart / Kita Living / Living Cult / Luftmensch / Maral Taşkırıcı / Marjes / Marquisate / Metastudio / OD Studio / Ömer Öztürk / Ömer Pekin / Paleworks / Plathetic.s / Studio Ep.he / Studio Mohs / Studio Sayo / Studio Veta / Taha Düzler / Taylan Aygün / Tuğçe Geyik / Uniqka / Uslu Design Studio / Yalçın Yeşiltepe / Yellowdot / Yel Studios / Yont Studio / Zeynep Tümertekin

Special Selection: Next-Generation Ceramic Designers

A special selection supported by Kale Tasarım ve Sanat Merkezi (KTSM) featured the work of five emerging ceramic designers. Bilge Ceramics, ILAERG, Studio Sayo, Taha Düzler, and Yel Studios participated in a public session within the Designer Talks program, sharing their relationships with ceramics, their production processes, and the origins of their work with visitors.

Jotun × Mercado Design Days

The exhibition also hosted a special collaboration with Jotun, one of Mercado Design Days' main partners. Selected colors from the Lively Spaces palette were paired with specific designs on display:

• Yellowdot — The Hatch Double Eggshell Floor Lamp × 1965 Ginger Tea

• Living Cult — Baggage Claim Mirrors × 2951 Sophisticated Red

• GEOSTUDIO — Disk Console & FPTF Candleholder × 12300 Hazelnut Beige

The colors were integrated not as superficial touches, but as a layer that reframed the perception of each design.

The Metric Gathering Space: B&T × Alp Nuhoğlu

Another standout collaboration was the gathering space curated around the Metric design by Alp Nuhoğlu, conceived with inspiration partner B&T. Positioned at the center of the exhibition, this space was designed as an open encounter zone — offering visitors a place to rest, converse, reflect, and meet the designers. The multi-functional nature of Metricadapted to the changing rhythm of the space throughout the day, making room for spontaneous encounters and evolving into a living focal point where inspiration was shared.

Performance: Ekin Bernay's Marble Column

One of the exhibition's most striking projects was a marble wrapping column created by performance artist Ekin Bernay, realized with production support from Sirmersan. The concept of the "spine" — a recurring motif in the artist's practice and live performances — was carved into a 200-year-old marble block, giving it a physical form. Designed to invite visitor interaction, this work created an experiential space that called upon the audience not merely to observe, but to become part of the piece itself.

Mercado Stage: Talks on the Future of Creative Disciplines

One of the key components of the event, Mercado Stage, brought together creative voices from across design's many disciplines. The lineup included:

• Antonin Waterkeyn — Graphic designer

• Martina Muzi — Design curator

• Audrey Large — Designer

• Taskin Goec — Mixed reality designer

• Paleworks — Multidisciplinary studio

• Tanrı Misafiri — Gastronomy-focused creative studio

• Ediz Anavi — Director

• Piknik Works — Multidisciplinary design office

  
  

Presentations focused on visual culture, digital production, architecture, artificial intelligence, brand experience, and contemporary design practice. The talks did not merely inspire — they also opened new areas of debate about the future of creative industries.

Stay Connected

For designers who participated in the 2026 edition, exclusive content, the stories behind their designs, upcoming edition announcements, and more — follow Mercado Design Days on Instagram.

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What is Mercado Design Days?

Mercado Design Days is an annual interdisciplinary design festival held in Istanbul, organized by Mercado — a design and art publishing platform. It brings together designers, studios, artists, and creative thinkers for exhibitions, talks, and performances over multiple days.

When and where was Mercado Design Days 2026 held?

The second edition of Mercado Design Days took place from May 14 to 17, 2026, at 212 Studio in Karaköy, Istanbul.

Which designers participated in Mercado Design Days 2026?

Over 40 designers and studios participated, including Alp Nuhoğlu, Bilge Ceramics, GEOSTUDIO, Living Cult, Yellowdot, Ekin Bernay, Studio Sayo, Yel Studios, Taha Düzler, and many more from Turkey and internationally.

What types of events took place at Mercado Design Days 2026?

The festival featured a curated collectible design exhibition, the Mercado Stage speaker series, Designer Talks with ceramic artists, partner installations with Jotun and B&T, and an interactive performance piece by Ekin Bernay.

Who are the partners of Mercado Design Days 2026?

Main partners included Jotun (with their Lively Spaces color collection) and B&T, whose collaboration was built around the Metric furniture design by Alp Nuhoğlu. Ceramic selections were supported by Kale Tasarım ve Sanat Merkezi (KTSM).

Is Mercado Design Days an annual event?

Yes. Mercado Design Days is a recurring annual event. The 2026 edition was its second installment, with plans to continue and expand in future years.