Growing up in Ankara, Turkey, I was surrounded by a family of artists. This early exposure led me to pursue a career in visual arts, ultimately finding my calling in the Animation and Visual Effects industry. With the opportunity to work with esteemed studios in Turkey on various movies and commercials, I went on to join Blue Sky Studios in the US to engage more in feature animation. I currently work at Pixar Animation Studios, helping bring quirky stories to the big screen, with a focus on character modeling and articulation.
As a photographer, I use the art form as a means of self-expression, exploring identity, alienation, and otherness in my work. I aim to capture candid moments, expressions, and conflicts that hint at the narratives beneath the surface. I often take a long-term approach to my projects, focusing on the emotional and psychological depths of my subjects. My photography blog, which has evolved over the years into a visual diary of my life, serves as a natural extension of my creative process, reflecting my confusions and documenting lives around me.
Solo Exhibitions
··Town Hall Theatre Gallery, CA, Whispers and Echoes, 2023
Group Exhibitions
··Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Black and White, 2023
··İşbank Museum (Ankara), 2022 (as a part of Habip Aydoğdu “Red Again Red” Exhibition)
Publications
· SIGGRAPH Paper & Talk, "Sliding the Pieces into Place: Rigging the Pigeons of Spies in Disguise", 2019
Interviews
· New Yorker Life, “New York Street Photography by Özgür Aydoğdu”
· Animation Mentor, "Why a Great Rigger is an Animator’s Best Friend"
· Artella, ”Collaboration without Borders: Making of 10 Great CG Characters”
· How to Cheat in Maya 2013 book, "Artist interview - Özgür Aydoğdu"
· Esquire Türkiye, “Röportaj - Yetenekli Bay Aydoğdu” (Tr)
· T24, ”Rigging’te bir Cenk, bilgisayar başında bir Özgür!” (Tr)
· Le Cool Istanbul, ”Sırlar Ve Rüyalar: Özgür Aydoğdu” (Tr)
· Anima Okul, “Özgür Aydoğdu Röportaj” (Tr)
· Animasyon Gastesi, “Özgür Aydoğdu ile Karakter Rigleme üzerine” (Tr)
· Zeck Dergisi, “Animasyon sektöründe başarılı bir genç: Özgür Aydoğdu“ (Tr)
· Söz Sanattan Açılmışken, “Özgür Aydoğdu Söyleşi” (Tr)
Awards
· IPA (International Photography Awards) Honorable Mention, 2006 & 2008
Filmography