Silver Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2025
Omar Khayyam Poster
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Vahid Mirzaei Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 56,511
- Verification code 55F058BFA3 · Verify this award
About Omar Khayyam Poster
Omar Khayyam is a series of urban posters that present the poetry of the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. The posters mark the 975th anniversary of the poet's birth. Each poster combines Persian typography with an English translation placed in the upper left area. The type design draws on classical Persian calligraphy and is refined for legibility in busy public settings. Each poster measures 150 by 107 centimeters and uses CMYK color at 300 dpi. The series was shown in metro stations and other public spaces in Tehran.
This commemorative poster by Vahid Mirzaei represents an eloquent visual meditation created to honor the enduring legacy of a beloved historical figure of literature and philosophy on the occasion of a significant anniversary. The work demonstrates remarkable sophistication in its integration of contemporary graphic design sensibilities with thematic content that speaks to timeless human concerns. Mirzaei employs a deliberately constrained palette of luminous cobalt blue and crisp white, a chromatic decision that evokes both celestial vastness and the clarity of philosophical thought. The cascading arrangement of abstracted human figures, rendered through elegant continuous line work, creates a visual poetry that parallels the literary arts being commemorated. Each figure, reduced to essential geometric components yet retaining unmistakable humanity, interlocks with its neighbors to form a flowing tapestry of interconnected forms that descends across the composition like leaves falling or souls ascending. This visual metaphor seems to engage directly with themes of transience, multiplicity, and the enduring nature of human experience that transcend individual mortality. The typographic elements demonstrate careful consideration of hierarchy and tone, with the quoted text establishing contemplative resonance while the commemorative information anchors the work in its specific celebratory purpose. The gradient treatment of the blue field, deepening at the periphery while glowing with increased luminosity toward the center, creates subtle spatial depth and suggests sources of light or wisdom radiating outward. The design achieves that rare quality of serving its functional commemorative purpose while simultaneously operating as a visual meditation worthy of extended contemplation. Viewers might consider how the interplay between individual figures and collective pattern reflects broader themes of personal identity within human community and the persistence of cultural memory across generations.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- To commemorate the 975th birth anniversary of Omar Khayyam, this project presents urban posters featuring his timeless poetry. The designs integrate Persian typography with English translations in the upper left, bringing his philosophical reflections to public spaces such as metro stations, buses, and city streets, making his wisdom accessible to all and fostering a cultural dialogue between past and present.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 150 cm X 107 cm
CMYK color
300 dpi - Tags
- Khayyam, Poster, Calligraphy, Typography, color, life, minimal
- Production Technology
- The posters utilize digital typography, combining Persian calligraphy with modern graphic design principles. The process involved custom type design, composition refinement, and digital rendering to ensure clarity and aesthetic harmony. The typography is crafted to evoke the elegance of classical Persian script while maintaining legibility for contemporary audiences in public spaces.
- Design Challenge
- Balancing traditional Persian calligraphy with modern digital typography was a key challenge. Ensuring readability in busy urban settings, maintaining cultural authenticity, and integrating bilingual content harmoniously required meticulous composition. Additionally, adapting the artwork for various public spaces while keeping a cohesive visual identity posed a creative and technical challenge.
- Project Duration
- The project started in February 2023 in Tehran and finished in June 2023 in Tehran, and was exhibited in Metro stations and urban spaces in May 2023.
- Operation Flow
- The interaction happens as passersby encounter the posters in urban spaces, catching their eye with intricate Persian typography. The key frames include the first glance, where the poetry’s visual elegance intrigues, followed by reading the English translation, offering accessibility. The final frame is reflection, where viewers connect with Khayyam’s words, making his poetry a part of their thoughts and urban experience.
- Research
- Omar Khayyam was a Persian poet, mathematician, and philosopher whose quatrains explore existential themes, fate, and the passage of time. His poetry has influenced visual arts, literature, and philosophy worldwide. In design and typography, his verses inspire expressive forms, merging aesthetic beauty with intellectual depth. This project extends his legacy into public art, engaging new audiences with his profound reflections.
- Inspiration
- The project was inspired by Khayyam’s timeless wisdom and its relevance to modern life. His poetry explores fate, existence, and the fleeting nature of time, themes that resonate deeply today. The idea of bringing classical Persian literature into contemporary public spaces came from a desire to bridge history, art, and everyday life, creating moments of reflection amid the urban rush.
- Image Credits
- Designed by Vahid Mirzaei