Members

Artist • Designer • Researcher • Educator • Creative Director,
Visiting Professor

Davis, California, USA

Dr. Ali Karatay is an internationally active multidisciplinary artist, designer, and art educator whose career spans more than fifteen years across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor and Research Faculty at the University of California, Davis, in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where his work bridges art, design, animation, interactive media, and emerging technologies.

He is the Founder and CEO of Erguvan Art & Academy, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to cultivating creativity, cultural engagement, and art education, and the creator of ArtkidsUP, a children’s art brand through YAKAMOZ LLC that develops innovative art programs for young learners around the world. His artistic practice extends from sand animation and coffee art to motion graphics, installation, and multidisciplinary performances, with exhibitions, workshops, and shows held nationally and internationally.

His scholarly work includes peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, and a diverse portfolio of books he has written, illustrated, or designed. His artistic and professional achievements have earned him national and international recognition, including awards in filmmaking, poster design, motion graphics, and social responsibility campaigns. His films have been screened or awarded at festivals in Cannes, New York, Seattle, Malta, Morocco, and throughout Turkey.

A pioneer in integrating traditional arts with new media, Dr. Karatay has developed cutting-edge educational tools using Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), especially through his children’s technology-integrated brand UPKIDS. He has also served as a Visual Arts Specialist for the Turkish Ministry of National Education, evaluating national textbooks and contributing to educational standards.

Dr. Karatay holds a PhD in Art Education, a Master’s degree in Fine Arts Education, and multiple certifications from institutions including Google, CalArts, MoMA, and the University of Florida. His work reflects a commitment to creativity, cultural dialogue, artistic innovation, and the transformative power of art in society.