Iranian Graphic Designers Win in New York Contest

Mehdi Mahdian’s poster shows the relationship between tradition and modernity and classic and contemporary art, while the poster by Touraj Saberivand is a symbolic combination of a dove and a pen designed to support the freedom of journalists

Iranart :  Two Iranian graphic designers have won awards at a graphic competition in the US.

Posters by Mehdi Mahdian and Touraj Saberivand received awards in the poster section of ‘Graphis 2017,’ held in New York, ISNA reported.

Mahdian’s poster titled ‘Scope of Meaning’ won the Silver Award. It was designed for an innovative exhibition of Persian calligraphy and sculpture in Tehran.

The poster shows conflict and the relationship between 2D and 3D space, tradition and modernity, classic and contemporary art and eastern and western aesthetics.

A graduate of Tehran University of Art, Mahdian, 37, works and resides in Tehran. His works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions in Iran, Ukraine, Slovakia, Japan, Belgium, Finland, China, Russia, Bolivia, Taiwan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy and Hong Kong.

He has also won awards including the Icograda Excellence Award at the 23rd Warsaw International Poster Biennale in Poland, 2012, and an Honorary Mention at the 14th International Poster Biennial in Mexico, 2016.

  Poster for Journalists

Saberivand won the Merit Award for his poster ‘Freedom of Language’ which is a symbolic combination of a dove (symbol of peace and freedom) and a pen (the very first and simplest tool of a journalist). He believes “the language of journalism is freedom.”

Explaining his work, he said, “Being a journalist is a tough life and they go through a lot to get the news or write an article. They write not only for the readers, but also for history, and surely for enlightenment. I have designed this poster for my journalist friends.”

Saberivand, 32, is a member of the Iranian Graphic Designers’ Society. The young artist has participated in several local and international events, won some awards and designed the logos of many famous brands in Iran.

Graphis is an annual competition committed to presenting and promoting the work of exceptional talent in graphic design, advertising, photography and art/illustration.

In the hardcover annuals, Platinum and Gold winners receive full-page exposure, Silvers are also presented and all merits are listed.