Semra Oktay: A Journey of Healing from Graphic Design to Her Own Design Studio

For Semra Oktay, creating is the strongest bond she has formed with the flow of life. When her university education in graphic design merged with her professional discipline and passion for work, Semra always found herself at the heart of production. Her experiences in agencies and social media management prior to the earthquake shaped her professional perspective. However, the emotional void following the loss of her mother led her toward a more personal and soulful field of creation: her own design journey.

The Healing Power of Design: Creation in the Wake of Loss

Entering a period of mental recovery following the passing of her mother, Semra channeled this time into building a business rooted in her own craftsmanship. As she began designing personalized candles, frames, and decorative items, she realized that she grew stronger through the act of creating. Immediately upon starting, she formalized her process under the brand sunarthomee, selling through digital platforms and investing her earnings into both her business and her daughter’s future. However, transforming her designs into finished products had become a significant physical burden under the challenging post-earthquake transportation conditions.

MaviKalem: Tools That End the Loss of Time and Energy

Being dependent on external vendors for personalized prints made meeting order deadlines nearly impossible under the challenging transportation conditions of the earthquake zone. Visiting print centers every day was draining both Semra’s time and her creative energy. The printing machine provided by MaviKalem became the breakthrough that resolved this bottleneck for her. Now, she can complete the entire production process within her own studio, under a single roof. This independence has significantly shortened delivery times while pushing her control and efficiency to their peak.

A New Balance Built on Creativity: Designs of Tomorrow

Having established a more sustainable structure for her business with the support of the equipment, Semra Oktay is more enthusiastic and determined than ever today. She works tirelessly to increase her product variety and open new horizons in the world of design. Her story is not just an experience of starting a business; it is a story of rising again through the power of design and technology after profound losses, finding her own balance through creation.

“I used to spend so much time chasing after printing services that I had no time left for design; now, with my own machine, I am involved in every stage of production and can instantly transform every design I imagine into reality.