Overview
The ancient country of Iran (Persia) and its old culture offer some of the earliest traces in graphic design and art.
Today, museums all over the world contain many examples of early Persian graphic designs on metal or clay vessels, seals, ceramic tiles, plaster carvings, carpets, silks and other clothes. Some examples of this ancient art enjoy a worldwide reputation, and designs on carpets or tiles, miniature paintings, calligraphy and book illustrations are instantly recognizable as "Persian".

A brief insight
Modern graphics in Iran first appeared in the late nineteenth century in the form of designs and illustrations in newspapers and magazines of the period and has continued to flourish. But even before this date, in the late eighteenth century some "folk" posters were being designed, lithographed and distributed in Iran.
depicted religious scenes or the famous sayings of the philosophers, writers and poets, suitably designed and illustrated in a highly decorative style.
Advertising design first appeared in 1908 in Tehran and from then on Iranian graphic design gradually took on a western style. In 1941, the Faculty of Fine Arts was established at the Tehran University, and courses were offered in graphic art and design. Over the years the graduates of this faculty have established most of the present graphics studios in Tehran.

Today besides this Faculty of Arts, four other institutions of higher education as well as six art schools offer courses in graphic design to over a thousand students each year. This is proof of the spread of graphic design in the various fields of publishing, advertising, cinema and television in Iran.
In 1964, the first graphics exhibition was held in Tehran, and the Iranian graphic designers have since exhibited their work in collective or one-man shows on a regular basis. In 1978,the first Asian Design Biennial was held in Tehran, exhibiting works from all Asian countries. Unfortunately, the activities of this exhibition were curtailed due to the turmoil's following the Islamic Revolution.

In 1988, the first Iranian Graphic Design Biennial was held at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, and the last biennial was held in April 1999.
Apart from the above exhibitions, three international exhibitions on children's book illustrations have since been held in Tehran. Iranian graphic designers have presented their work in international exhibitions such as the Warsaw Poster Biennial, the Lahti Poster Biennial in Finland and the Bratislava Exhibition in Slovakia.Their work has been popular and has won several prizes.
Today , the work of Iranian graphic designers is beginning to be recognized internationally, and many examples of their art have been featured in professional publications such as "Graphis", "Graphic Design", "Idea", "High Quality" and "Novum Gebrauchsgraphik".

How did IGDS came to existence?
The history of the formation of IGDS (Iranian Graphic Designers Society) dates back to about 35 years ago, when graphic designers excitingly and willingly, tried to make a society of their own by gathering their professional colleagues together. This aim, however and in spite of long discussions, failed to be accomplished at that time. Many years later that Iranian society had been subject to great changes in political, social and cultural constructions, we graphic designers, were also facing a new situation; different professional and organizational conditions and revisions.
It was only 5 years ago that Iranian graphic designers of different ages and generations managed to gather up in a meeting for the first time. It was just then that conversations, discussions and criticisms began. After all, never before had there existed any chance for them to be with each other in a professional union. Thus, the primary core of having a professional society was formed that later, in April 1998 and thereafter having all legal procedures followed, resulted in the establishment of Iranian Graphic Designers Society.

Morteza Momayez
President, Iranian Graphic Designers Society (1997-2003)