Filiz Durgun is a multidisciplinary designer, researcher, and PhD student in Interdisciplinary Design and Media at Northeastern University. Her research examines how design can be used to question, challenge, and reimagine dominant narratives around social issues through critical game design, design activism, and visual communication.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Bilkent University and a Master of Science in Game Science and Design from Northeastern University. Her academic and professional background spans 2D and 3D game art, graphic design, game design, and illustration, bringing together creative practice and research across multiple disciplines.

Research/Publications Highlights

Presenter, NCA 2026 (National Communication Association).
Play! Cho!ces Tabletop Game: A Tool for Discussion and Application of Course Concepts

Presenter, CAMD Design Research Week 2026, Northeastern University.
Media + Play session, “Designing a Game to Facilitate Meaningful Group Discussions”

Presenter, Institute for Health Equity and Social Justice Research, Northeastern University, 2026.
Presented the first study of my dissertation at the IHSJR Works in Progress event.

Exhibitor, ‘CAMD Day Art Exhibition 2026′, Northeastern University.
Exhibited two projects: (1) Choices: a redesigned discussion-based card game focused on sexual assault bystander intervention. (2) Anxiety Circuit: an Arduino-based interactive circuit designed to support individuals with anxiety through hands-on engagement and interaction.

Glowacki, E. M., Schwartz, J., & Durgun, F. (2026). “Lied or miscommunicated?” Location sharing as a turning point in close relationships: Implications for privacy management and relational maintenance [Conference presentation]. Annual Convention of the Eastern Communication Association, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.

Durgun, F. (2018). Transforming PC platform gameplay experience onto a board game (Master’s thesis, Northeastern University). Northeastern University Library Repository.

Departments

Interdisciplinary, Art + Design

Education

  • PhD, Interdisciplinary Design and Media, Northeastern University
  • MSc, Game Science and Design, Northeastern University
  • BFA, Graphic Design, Bilkent University

Research Focus

  • Critical Game Design
  • Design Activism
  • Visual Semiotics