SOMETIMES IT’S GOOD TO BELIEVE!
I grew up hearing the words “evil eye” and “may it be protected from the evil eye” in the geography where I was born, raised, and chose my design profession. Throughout history, in many cultures and belief systems, the eye has been considered a symbol with the power to ward off evil.
In Ancient Egypt, it was believed that negative thoughts within a person emerged through their eyes and could pass to others through their gaze. To protect against this, people believed one had to confront the eye with another eye. This led to the widespread belief that eye-like figures held protective qualities.
In Anatolia, the concept of the evil eye carries a strong cultural memory and is often represented through the color blue and the form of an eye.
This belief finds its place in everyday life through small objects. Over time, these objects become more than simple ornaments; they deepen with meanings, stories, and symbols. Passed down for centuries, this significance continues to live within the culture.
Yet despite its prevalence, I found it difficult to form a strong connection with evil eye objects. The blue, black, and white glass charms always felt somewhat distant to me. I’m not entirely sure why.
Perhaps it was my reluctance to be part of a commonly held belief,
perhaps my tendency to associate it with religion,
or perhaps a natural distance I’ve kept from superstitions.
Today, however, I approach this subject from a different perspective. I see the evil eye not merely as a belief, but as a cultural and sociological phenomenon.
As a designer, I’ve always been interested in the emotional impact that culture, rituals, and objects have on people. The small symbols we carry in our daily lives also carry an invisible cultural language.
In my design process, I follow this language. I observe the relationships people form with objects and the meanings they assign to them. These observations make it possible to reinterpret symbols from the past through a contemporary lens. The result is work that feels both familiar and current—simple and refined.
For me, the evil eye exists in this space.
I can say “may it be protected from the evil eye.” But over time, another phrase has settled in my mind:
“Sometimes it’s good to believe.”
This expression feels more liberating to me. It brings belief into a more personal space and creates a small yet positive space for those who choose it.
That’s why I don’t define the blue dots in my designs as the “evil eye.” I see them as a reflection of this idea. Because for me, those dots are not just a symbol; they are a simple expression of my relationship with culture, belief, and design.
For me, design begins exactly here:
in taking a sign from culture and giving it new meaning,
in observing everyday rituals and reinterpreting them,
and in adding a personal story to an old symbol.
And the story of my blue dots is very simple:
Sometimes it’s good to believe…