From Heritage to Design: Ancient Motifs in Contemporary Visual Language

About the Talk: A logo is not just an image; it is the visual essence of an organization that remains in the audience’s mind. Many contemporary Iranian visual signs are inspired by ancient motifs, architectural decorations, and patterns in carpets and tiles. In this workshop, we will explore and trace the roots of these signs to show how designers can draw inspiration from Iran’s visual heritage and reinterpret it in a simple, contemporary form. In discovering and experimenting with the graphical aspects of Iranian motifs, participants will get a chance to engage in a hands-on experience-one that honors the past while shaping the visual language of today.

About the Speaker: Mahak Rouhina is a graphic designer and visual artist with master’s degrees in Art History from the University of Toronto and Visual Communication from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran. Her work explores the reinterpretation of traditional Iranian motifs in contemporary design, focused on preserving and giving new life to Iran’s visual legacy. Among her scholarly activities, she has published the book The Analysis of the Graphical Features of the Ornamental Patterns in the Tomb of Khajeh Ali Safi. Since 2022, she has served as a designer at The Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies, Cinema Iranica, and Women Poets Iranica.