Reza Abedini

Reza Abedini (, born 1967 in Tehran) is an Iranian graphic designer and a professor. His works keep a modern theme as he blends traditional Islamic patterns, calligraphy and culture. He combines simple illustrations with poetic typography and elegant layouts, exploring the beauty of the Persian language. He is also an art critic, independent art director with Reza Abedini Studio and the editor-in-chief of Manzar magazine in Iran.

Early life
He graduated in 1985 from the School of Fine Arts in Tehran, majoring in graphic design. He went on to get a second degree and majored in painting from the Tehran University of Art and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992. Upon graduating until 1993 he was the Editor of the visual section of Sureh Monthly Magazine. In 1993, he founded Reza Abedini Studio an independent design consultancy and art direction studio.

Design
His design influences, including Aleksander Rodchenko, Ikko Tanaka, Sani'ol Molk Ghafari, Roman Cieslewicz and Mirza Gholam-Reza Esfahani.

Abedini has won dozens of national and international design awards. In 2006, he received the Principal Prince Claus Award in recognition of his creativity in the production of unique graphic designs and the personal manner in which he applied and redefined the knowledge and accomplishments of Iran's artistic heritage, thus making them highly interesting. The award also focuses on the diversity of historical and modern Iranian culture, recognizing the impact of graphic design as an influential international means of communication.

Abedini has been a member of the Iranian Graphic Designers Society since 1997, he was a jury member at several biennials worldwide. His name is listed in Meggs History of Graphic Design as one of the world's outstanding post-digital graphic designers.

Academic career
Since 1996, he has been a professor at the University of Tehran in graphic design and visual culture. He previously was a visiting assistant professor of graphic design and visual culture at the American University of Beirut.

Honors and awards

 * 1993, 1994, 1996 – First Prize: best film poster of Fajr International Film Festival, Iran
 * 1994 – Film Critics Special Award for the Best film poster, Iran
 * 1996 – IRIB’S Special Award: The Best film poster, Iran
 * 1999 – 3rd Award: poster, The 6th Biennial of Iranian Graphic Designers, Iran
 * 1999 – Special Award: Creativity from Iranian Graphic Designers Society, Iran
 * 2003 – Special Prize: China International Poster Biennale, China
 * 2004 – The Union of Visual Artists of the Czech Republic Award, Brno, Czech Republic
 * 2004 – Second prize: 15th Festival d'affiches de Chaumont, France
 * 2004 – Gold Prize: Hong Kong International Poster Triennial, Hong Kong
 * 2004 – First prize and gold medal: 8th International Biennial of the Poster, Mexico
 * 2004 – Silver prize: Second International Poster Biennale, Korea
 * 2004 – First prize: The First international Biennale of the Islamic world Poster, Iran
 * 2005 – Bronze Medal: The 2nd China International Poster Biennial CIPB, China
 * 2005 – First prize: 9th Press Festival of Children & Young Adults, Iran
 * 2006 – Principal award, Prince Claus Award, Netherlands