Meet: Zeynep Sagir
- Written byGiada Maestra
- Published date 25 February 2026
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We caught up with Central Saint Martins (CSM) alumna and colour consultant Zeynep Sagir to hear about her time at college and her current creative practice.
You graduated from Central Saint Martins (CSM) Fine Art in 2021. Can you tell us more about your time at college?
I feel that as soon as I started the program, my art journey began to be shaped in a direction that I have never dared to take before. I have studied art since I was 14 and naturally, I had some boundaries, strict rules and fixed ideas about what I wanted to achieve. I felt incredibly lucky to come across tutors who showed me what I could do beyond what I believed about myself, and that was exactly what I needed at that time. CSM was the place where I realised that colour is the language through which I want to communicate.
UAL facilities also helped me find my own way. I needed space to make mistakes and create a mess. I needed a library that would feed my curiosity. I needed workshop spaces that would not lessen my desire to experiment. It was an intense 2 years of research that is still ongoing.
What did you find to be the most challenging part of studying Fine Art?
The most challenging part of studying, especially doing a master's degree in fine art, was turning my abstract ideas into words. Colour has always been a language for me, which is why I kept my diaries in colour rather than words. However, during an MA, you are required to put your ideas into words and these words become an integral part of your work. I was lucky to engage with the scientific and psychological aspects of my research, which helped me explain my process more clearly. Still, it is always a challenge for an artist to explain their own work and honestly, it was challenging from the very first day until graduation. In the end, though, I felt very proud to have produced research that could inspire others.
What have you been doing since graduation?
Since graduating, I have known I wanted to focus on colour professionally, so I took courses for a fewmonths and became a certified colour consultant and colour therapist. I began working as a freelance consultant with both companies and individuals to understand the sector better. I already had a strong network of colour experts from my master’s degree, but I expanded it further through projects and collaborations, to ensure I was doing meaningful work.
Last year, I launched my own platform, The Colour Club, where I run colour consultations, workshops and courses. I’m also developing a large colour book collection that people can explore at our book display events. The platform has 18 editors writing articles about colour and I regularly contribute as well. I also give talks on colour psychology. All the while, I continue developing my own artistic practice, while running the platform and creating a community that inspires and connects colour enthusiasts.
What’s your favourite thing about your job/practice?
As a creative, I love that my work is both practical and academic. I don’t just create or suggest colour palettes; I explain, teach, share and invite others to explore and experiment with colour themselves. I see it as a process of mutual inspiration.
For interior projects, it’s incredible to witness someone’s trust in letting me work with their personal space and I love how that trust turns into a true collaboration with the client. And for events, workshops and other collaborations, every step - from the first idea to the final outcome - is a journey full of discovery and fun. Every day brings something new and that’s what makes it so rewarding.
Do you have a favourite colour?
The most difficult question ever! My favourite colour literally changes every week, sometimes even every day! It really depends on how I’m feeling and how I’m coding my emotions through colour.
You recently got in touch about being part of the National Gallery’s new podcast — can you tell us more about it?
Being part of the National Gallery’s podcast was one of those core moments in my career. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to talk about colour psychology. It’s not like discussing history, it’s much more personal, because colour is such an intimate and subjective experience.
We carry so many stereotypes about colour and while there is extensive research on how colour affects mood and emotion, none of it works the same for everyone. I really hope the episode sparks curiosity about colour psychology. Colour is deeply personal and shaped by individual experiences and exploring its effects can help us strengthen our empathy and understanding of others.
Is there something you haven't had the chance to work on yet but would like to do in the future?
I would love to work on architectural or interior restoration projects, exploring the restoration and conservation of historic wall paints, pigments and colour palettes. Understanding how layers, textures and original colours were used in different periods fascinates me and being able to revive and preserve these spaces through colour would be an incredible next step in my practice.
