Necdet was born and raised in Istanbul, where he attended Marmara University School of Fine Arts and Design.

He has worked for several multinational advertising agencies such as Grey and J. Walter Thompson as an art director and has won awards for his ad campaigns and illustrations in Turkey and around the world.

Among his major awards are:

- The Society of Illustrators, New York-golden medal, 2005.
- London Transport Museum and The Society of Artist Agents illustration Awards-golden prize, 2003.
- International Aydin Dogan Cartoon Competition-first prize, 2003.
- International Aydin Dogan Cartoon Competition-second prize, 2004.

His work has been exhibited in New York, London, Italy, Brasil, Cyprus, Pakistan, Korea and Turkey.

Necdet Yilmaz is a member of SCBWI and currently resides in New York.