Derin Işıkören was born in 1972, in Ankara. She graduated from Ergenekon Primary School and Lycee de Tevfik Fikret . She studied upon applied arts and she had her BA degree in Bilkent University, Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1995.
She worked as a designer and as an art director for various companies for seven years. In 2002, she had her MA degree in Bilkent University, Faculty of Architecture and Fine Arts and worked as a research assistant in the Department of Graphic Design. In 2004, she started to work as a studio instructor in Cyprus International University. In between 2009 and 2022, she worked in European University of Lefke as Senior Instructor in Faculty of Communication Sciences. In 2018, she received Phd degree from the same faculty. In 2019 she had the title Assistant Professor. In 2023 she started to work in Near East University, Faculty of Communication Sciences as a full time academician. During her professional and academic career Derin Işıkören participated various workshops, exhibitions and conferences. She also took role as jury member and curator in different organizations and competitions.