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Researched and Written by: Christopher Marcantonio
The visual arts have been prominent in Iran long before the digital industry. They have been influenced from motifs such as manuscript paintings, textile designs, calligraphy, and many other examples throughout history. What we consider to be modern graphic design began in the second half of the Qajar period. Aside from informal apprenticeships, the first institution that taught Graphic Design was the University of Tehran. The artists that learned here paved the way for what we know of Iranian visual today, influencing history through innovative mediums, I present a brief glance at the beauty of how these artworks have transitioned into the 21st century.
The featured artists below have developed their craft in unique ways, and are advocates of spreading the teachings of Graphic Design in Iran. These designers are Ghobad Shiva, Hamid Rahmanian, Homa Delvaray, and Reza Abedini. I happened upon them through various online searches, and was amazed by the different approaches they presented to the graphic medium. Promoting their work was important for me because in my field it is rare to learn about art from countries outside of America or Europe. To see calligraphy and Iranian culture incorporated into posters, logos, and even performances was eye opening.
(The second playwriting competition for children, Ghobad Shiva.)
(The following artworks are: PRINCE OF SORROWS, THE LEGEND OF THE SERPENT KING, SHADOW PLAY, SEVEN TRIALS OF ROSTAM, POP UP BOOK, and MINA'S DREAM, all by Hamid Rahmanian. )
Hamid Rahmanian
Hamid Rahmanian
Hamid is known for a number of works including Feathers of Fire, a play that utilizes digitally created backgrounds and masks that convey a black outline over the actors. His play portrays a story from the Shahnama, which is the book of kings. The main characters are Zaul and Rudabeh, who face many challenges throughout the play. Hamid worked his way up from the University of Tehran with a B.F.A, to owning his own firm, being hired by Disney and working on classics such as "Tarzan," "Emperor's New Groove," "Dinosaur," and eventually in 1998 creating his own studio entitled Fictionville Studio. He wishes to introduce the stories of the Shahnama to a wide audience, and create a more positive view of the middle east in America.
If you want to see more: https://www.fictionvillestudio.com/#fictionvile-studio
Homa Delvaray
Homa Delvaray
Homa Graduated from Tehran University in 2006 with a degree in visual communication, where she put her skills to work by creating a series of posters and intricate designs. Homa creates art for clients in and out of Iran, such as Stanford University. Aside from her own craft, she has set up a number of graphic workshops across Iran and abroad. Her posters engage the viewer with their stunning colors, calligraphy, patterns, and cultural messages. She also partakes in teaching college level drawing courses, and is part of the Dabireh design collective. Her artwork speaks for itself; it is complex, colorful, uses fine line work and contains stunning ways to use calligraphy.
If you want to see more: https://www.behance.net/hdelvaray
(The following artworks are: The Mustafa Prize, Silver Cypress III, A lovely Hell, Iranian Poets, and Flag of Peace, all by Homa Delvaray)
Ghobad Shiva
Ghobad Shiva
Ghobad is an important figure in the upbringing of graphic design teaching in Tehran, he is a cofounder of the Iranian Graphic Design Society as well as part of AGI (Alliance Graphique Internationale). Ghobad is known for using an Eastern and Iranian aesthetic for his designs, which range from posters, illustrations, logos, and digital paintings. He is an advocate for graphic design in Iran, and believes his work stands out because of his cultural integration. His posters are visually striking, they create form and space with gorgeous calligraphy, and are complemented by an intense color palette.
If you want to see more: http://www.shivadesign.com/
(The following artworks are: Seminar on Ancient Cultural Relations of Iran, Rooster from the Point of View of Artists, In Honor of Professor Houshang Kazemi, 1oth Tehran Poster Biennial, and Book Week, by Ghobad Shiva.)
(The following artworks are: Dream of Dust 2003, Irani 2004, Elegy 2004, Neighbours 2002.)
Reza Abedini
Reza Abedini
Reza Abedini is a leading figure in Iranian design for the second generation, he is both an established artists and a professor of the subject. Reza is a notable influence in many current students of Tehran University and contemporary artists in Iran. He uses a variety of mediums such as poster work, plates, paintings, and logos. Reza's artwork is influenced by Persian culture and unique in terms of how he incorporates calligraphy into the space of each picture. The meaning of his designs is often direct, and yet it is done so in a way that takes your eyes across the full image. Calligraphy is not simply a decoration when it comes to his art, the images wrap around his lettering, as they are the main focus.
If you want to see more: https://www.rezaabedini.com/works.html (Only the posters & logos currently have content)
The below annotated sources will provide you with an index of additional information and useful websites
Electricpulp.com. “Graphic Arts.” RSS, 15 Dec. 2002, iranicaonline.org/articles/graphic-arts.
This source from Iranian Encyclopedia provides a history of Graphic Design in Iran. The categorized passages describe the origin of how visual arts began in Iran. They range from the Qajar period up until modern day. A later edited segment added the influence of the 1978 revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. Information recorded in this source derives from the author’s own files and recordings.
Rahmanian, Hamid, and Melissa Hibbard. Fictionville Studio, Fictionville Studio, www.fictionvillestudio.com/
This intricate graphic design-focused website serves as a hub for the various ongoing projects of Hamid Rahmanian and their acclaim. The site includes links to multiple other pages for these projects and short bios about Hamid himself and his wife Melissa Hibbard. The studio page gives a small scope into the artist's portfolio that otherwise is scattered across multiple webistes, as well as providing beautiful pictures of each.
Shiva, Ghobad. Index, Shiva Design, www.shivadesign.com/.
This website is the in-progress portfolio of Ghobad Shiva. The website provides “A short summary of his accomplishments” which are listed in a timeline. The most prominent feature is the catalog of Ghobad Shiva’s artwork such as his logo for a “Blossoming Turmeric Factory”. Each piece is captioned and categorized by medium, as well as time period. These include illustrations, logos, designs, digital paintings, and art featured in the news.
Keyghobadi, Roshanak. “Homa Delvaray: A Contemporary Iranian Graphic Designer and Her Mission.” AIGA, 8 Dec. 2010, www.aiga.org/homa-delvaray-a-contemporary-iranian-graphic-designer-and-her-mission.
An article posted by AIGA features Homa Delvaray and her work. It summarizes the artist’s range of publications and virtual exhibitions. There are numerous pictures of her art and passages that articulate the unique style. AIGA’s credibility as a leading graphic design association lends itself to how distinguished Delvaray’s designs are. The article explains the history and meaning of her blended style, using Iranian symbolism in a new way.
Behance, Homa. “Homa Delvaray on Behance.” Behance, Adobe, 14 Oct. 2013, www.behance.net/hdelvaray.
A personal portfolio for the artist Homa Delvaray, featuring high quality images of her artwork. Created by Adobe, this Behance page allows a clear viewing of the various logos, patterns, and posters. An important display for the artist as finding images for Iranian graphic artists can be difficult, providing a catalog like this enables a broader range of examples.
“The Genius of Iranian Graphic Design - Graphéine.” Graphéine - Agence De Communication Paris Lyon, 29 Mar. 2020, www.grapheine.com/en/graphic-design-en/graphic-design-in-iran-persian-heritage-and-modernity.
An article highlighting the creativity of Iranian graphic design. The author first describes the history and context of the artwork featured. They detail the importance of calligraphy and the start of early Iran graphic design teachings. The page shows a small catalog of assorted poster work and other prominent designs.
“Reza Abedini, Father of Iranian Contemporary Graphic Design - Graphéine.” Graphéine - Agence De Communication Paris Lyon, 16 June 2020, www.grapheine.com/en/history-of-graphic-design/reza-abedini-father-of-iranian-contemporary-graphic-design.
An article by Grephéine about the famous Iranian artist Reza Abedini. The page details Reza’s importance in Iranian graphic design and the roles he played in supporting it. A short clip from BBC is included to show how the artist works with calligraphy and line work. This clip plays part into his use of calligraphy on posters, which is shown in a gallery of images.
GREIVING, TIM. “From Ancient Persian Poetry Rises 'Feathers of Fire,' Billed as Largest Shadow-Theater Play.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2016, www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-feathers-of-fire-20160523-snap-story.html.
An article by the Los Angeles Times that shares an interview with artist Hamid Rahmanian and his play “Feathers of Fire.” This explains his process and thoughts about the play. Hamid details his reason for certain choices such as an animated background and the number of cast members that it took to pull off. The article also gives a short summary of his upbringing and what influenced the creation of the play.
ZH Magazine, and The Author ZH Magazine. “Interview with Ghobad Shiva.” ZH Magazine, 15 July 2020, zhmagazine.com/2018/03/interview-ghobad-shiva/.
A short article by ZH Magazine sharing an interview with the artist Ghobad Shiva. The introduction gives a summary of who he is and goes on to show the answers he provided about his work.
“Works.” RezaAbedini.com | Works, www.rezaabedini.com/works.html.
The portfolio site of graphic artist Reza Abedini. While not completely finished, the site provided an extensive catalog of the various artworks he has completed. Another page features a biography about the artist. This source had the most captioned and organized designs I could find on Reza, featuring sixty posters and fonts with more to be added.
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