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, Tehran 1999 – Special Award: Creativity from Iranian Graphic Designers Society, Tehran 2003 – Special Prize: China International Poster Biennale China 2004 – The Union of Visual Artists of the Czech Republic Award, Brno, Czech 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 in 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
Bibliography
Reza Abedini (Vision of Design) by Jianping He () Reza Abedini (design & designer) by Alain le Quernec () New Visual Culture of Modern Iran by Reza Abedini and Hans Wolbers () Iran. Gnomi e giganti, paradossi e malintesi by Reza Abedini and Ebrahim Nabavi ()