
Qobad Shiva is a pioneer of contemporary graphic design in Iran, born in 1940 in Hamedan. He received his BA in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran (1966), and his MA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute, New York (1980). During his studies, he trained under prominent masters such as Ali Mohammad Heydarian, Mahmoud Javadipour, Houshang Seyhoun, and Mohsen Vaziri-Moghaddam, and exhibited his works at the influential Ghandriz Hall. After graduating, he collaborated with the National Iranian Radio and Television and cultural institutions including Soroush Publications, and in 1968 founded the Graphic Design Department of IRIB. He is also a founding member of the Iranian Graphic Designers Society and the Tehran International Poster Biennial. His works have received numerous international awards, including the Brno Biennial, and he has been recognized by the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI) as one of the world’s distinguished graphic designers.
Resume
Born: 1940 – Hamedan, Iran
Education
1966 – BA in Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of
Tehran
1980 – MA in Communication Design, Pratt Institute, New York
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018 – Whispers, Deylaman Gallery, Tehran
2021 – Iranian Legends in the Illustrations of Ghobad Shiva,
Sales Gallery, Tehran
2024 – Shiva Art Celebration, Project 009821, Tehran
Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 – Hafez, Dena Gallery, Tehran
2018 – In Memory of Akbar Radi, Aria Gallery, Tehran
2019 – Versions, Aria Gallery, Tehran
2020 – Versions, Aknoun Gallery, Isfahan
2020 – Perspective, Javid Gallery, Tehran
2021 – Edition, Liam Gallery, Tehran
2022 – E’lan Art, Hedayat Gallery, Tehran
2025 – Iran in Posters, Nicolas Flamel Gallery, Paris
Professional Experience
1968 – Founder, Graphic Design Department, National Iranian
Radio and Television (IRIB)
1971 – Founder, Graphic Design Department, Soroush
Publications
2011 – Elected Member, World Masters Committee (WMOC)
Awards and Honors
1969 – Poster Design Award, Shiraz Arts Festival
1970 – Poster Design Award, Shiraz Arts Festival
1971 – Poster Design Award, Shiraz Arts Festival
1977 – Poster Design Award, Shiraz Arts Festival
1978 – Award, Brno International Graphic Design Biennial
1988 – Award, IGDS International Logo Design Competition
2001 – Award, IGDS International Logo Design Competition







