Iranian graphic designer Reza Abedini may not be as familiar to Americans as, say, Milton Glaser (designer of the “I Love New York” logo) or Saul Bass (designer of Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” title sequence, as well as the famous title sequences for “James Bond” movies). But in the international arena, Abedini is well-known for his contemporary and literate use of Persian calligraphy, often in conjunction with English language type faces, photography and graphics. He’s been sited for “his passion for graphic design, in particular Persian type and typography, [which] has led him into linking literature and aesthetics, searching for a unique visual dialect that reflects Persian poetic sensibilities.” (www.princeclausfund)
I love Abedini’s work, especially his posters. They are informed, contemporary, but not co-opted by Western design influences. Whether it is a book cover or a web site, his projects “read” true and function fully from either cultural perspective.