Morteza Momayez

Morteza Momayez, a designer, illustrator, painter, and educator, was born in 1936 in Tehran. His name is closely associated with Iranian graphic design. He was an innovative artist and an influential teacher who played a decisive role in the development and advancement of contemporary Iranian graphic design. In 1956, Momayez was admitted to the Painting program at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran. While still a first-year student, he began his professional journey in the graphic workshop of Mohammad Bahrami. Later, he gained exceptional opportunities to develop his skills and showcase his talent through illustration work for Iranabad magazine, Ketab Hafteh (Book of the Week), and Keyhan Hafteh (Keyhan Weekly). After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Painting, Momayez completely stopped painting and devoted himself entirely to graphic design. Together with several young artists, he established the Iran Hall (Ghandriz Hall). In 1965, he went to France to continue his studies and received a certificate in Interior Design from the École Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Upon returning to Iran, in 1969 he founded the Graphic Design program at the Faculty of Fine Arts and began teaching practical courses in the field. Alongside teaching, he expanded his design work to include cultural posters, book covers, and logos. He also served as the art director for the quarterly Farhang va Zendegi (Culture and Life) and the monthly Roudaki. In addition, he made three short films for the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and worked on stage and costume design for several theater productions and feature films. Together with six painters and sculptors, he formed the Azad Group and participated in its exhibitions with installations such as knives planted in flowerpots and hanging from the ceiling. Momayez also dedicated himself to introducing and promoting graphic media in society. Under his supervision, exhibitions of Iranian and foreign illustrators and designers—including Polish poster artists—were held at Ghandriz Hall. After the Islamic Revolution, he continued his artistic and cultural activities on a larger scale, increasingly focusing on teaching and writing. Morteza Momayez passed away in Tehran in 2005 due to cancer.