He graduated from Istanbul Academy of Fine Arts and Department of High Decorative Arts. 

He received traditional book binding lessons from Prof. Sacit Okyay, modern book binding and calligraphy from Prof. Emin Barın.

İslam Seçen started to work in Süleymaniye Library, Department of Book Binding in 1961 and was invited to repair Islamic manuscripts to Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon together with Prof. Emin Barın and Rikkat Kunt.

He served as senior expert in Ministry of Culture, Suleymaniye Library Book Binding and Pathology Service between the years of 1973 and 1988 and began giving Turkish Book Binding lessons in State Academy of Fine Arts Department of High Decorative Arts and The Chair of Traditional Turkish Arts in 1977.

He worked as an academic member in Mimar Sinan Fine Arts Department of Traditional Turkish Handcrafts Division of Book Binding between the years of 1989 and 2001 and still gives traditional book binding arts lessons in the same department. Besides he shares his experiences in ISMEK Vocational Institutions and personal atelier.