The latest episode of Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri featured a captivating conversation with Reza Bakhtiarifard, a renowned Persian typographer and font designer whose career spans over 15 years. Through a blend of creativity, technical mastery, and philosophical insight, Reza has shaped Persian typography, designing fonts that both resonate with traditional aesthetics and push the boundaries of contemporary design.
In this episode, Reza shares not only the nuances of his design process but also his personal journey, offering a glimpse into the mind of a designer dedicated to both his craft and the broader art of communication. From his early morning rituals to his contemplative approach to letters, Reza’s story is one of dedication, passion, and a relentless pursuit of creative authenticity. His journey reveals the complexity of typography as an art form, emphasizing its role in cultural communication and artistic expression.
The Roots of Reza Bakhtiarifard’s Typographic Journey
Reza’s fascination with typography stems from a deep-seated love for calligraphy, nurtured by his family’s artistic inclinations. His father’s refined handwriting and his brother’s experiments with letterforms were the seeds that planted Reza’s passion for typography. This early exposure to the beauty of handwritten letters led him to study graphic design and eventually specialize in typography.
His professional journey has seen him collaborate with some of Iran’s leading brands, including Irancell, Alibaba, and Hamkaran System, crafting custom fonts that are now embedded in the country’s visual identity. These projects required a deep understanding of brand language and cultural context, and Reza succeeded in creating designs that resonate with diverse audiences. Beyond these commercial endeavors, Reza has created widely recognized public fonts such as Abar, Ravi, and YekanBakh, which have become essential tools for Persian designers, representing a modern yet familiar aesthetic.
Yet, for Reza, typography is more than just a design discipline—it is a philosophy. He likens his work to sculpting, where he strips away the unnecessary to reveal the essence of the letters. This process of reduction, focusing solely on black-and-white forms, allows him to create impactful designs that resonate with both simplicity and depth. The analogy of typography as sculpting captures the essence of his approach: to refine and uncover the purest form of letters, much like a sculptor chisels away at marble to reveal the shape within.
The Art of Focus: Deep Work and Solitude
Reza emphasizes the importance of focus in his creative process, drawing parallels between his early morning solitude and the clarity needed to design impactful typefaces. He describes his early mornings as a sacred time, where the stillness of dawn allows him to enter a state of flow, free from distractions. This solitude is not just about physical silence but also about mental space—a clear headspace where ideas can flourish.
His commitment to early morning routines demonstrates a discipline that is crucial for creativity. In the absence of external noise and distractions, Reza finds the freedom to explore ideas deeply, often losing track of time as he delves into the design of new typefaces. He likens his focus to a “laser,” a tool that enables him to disconnect from the world around him and fully immerse himself in his work. This kind of deep work, where time seems to dissolve and awareness narrows down to the design at hand, is crucial for creating fonts that stand out. Reza’s dedication to solitude and focus serves as a reminder of the importance of creating environments that nurture creativity.
To Reza, this process of “deep work” is akin to cultivating a garden, where distractions are like weeds that must be removed to allow creative ideas to bloom. The analogy of the garden highlights how Reza tends to his creativity with care, nurturing ideas over time until they reach full maturity. This careful cultivation is evident in the consistency and quality of his typefaces, each of which reflects hours of focused attention and refinement.
Balancing Client Demands and Personal Creativity
Reza’s work often involves a delicate balance between meeting client expectations and pursuing personal creative exploration. He admits that client briefs can be restrictive, limiting his ability to innovate. However, he views these limitations as a source of inspiration, sparking new ideas that often translate into public fonts, where he has more freedom to explore.
Reza’s analogy of a chef perfecting a signature dish captures this balance well. Just as a chef experiments within the constraints of a recipe, Reza navigates the boundaries set by client briefs and traditional typography to create unique typefaces that resonate visually and emotionally. He sees constraints not as hindrances but as challenges that drive innovation and push his creative boundaries.
Working within client briefs requires a deep understanding of brand identity and communication goals. Reza emphasizes the need to grasp not just the functional requirements of a font but also the emotional tone it must convey. This sensitivity to both form and meaning enables him to craft fonts that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also aligned with the brand’s message. He believes that the best designs are those that speak to the intended audience while maintaining artistic integrity.
Typography as a Reflection of Communication and Aesthetics
For Reza, typography is not merely a visual art; it is a medium of communication that reflects deeper cultural and aesthetic values. He believes that each letter carries its own tone and personality, contributing to the overall message of the text. This philosophical approach to typography underscores the importance of letterforms in shaping how messages are conveyed and perceived.
Reza’s work is deeply rooted in the traditional aesthetics of Persian calligraphy, yet he constantly seeks to innovate within this framework. His designs aim to maintain harmony between form and function, ensuring that the visual beauty of the letters aligns with their communicative purpose. This balance between tradition and innovation is evident in his public fonts, which blend classical calligraphic elements with modern design principles.
He often explores traditional Persian scripts like Nastaliq, Shekasteh, and Thuluth, drawing inspiration from their fluid forms and intricate compositions. These traditional elements serve as a foundation for new designs, enabling Reza to create fonts that honor the past while embracing contemporary aesthetics. His work is a testament to the enduring influence of Persian calligraphy and its adaptability in modern design.
The Joy of Experimentation and Creative Play
Despite the structured nature of his work, Reza embraces a playful approach to design. He often experiments with different tools and techniques, even reversing the usual writing direction to discover new compositions. This willingness to play with form is a key aspect of his creative process, allowing him to break away from conventional designs and explore new possibilities.
Reza’s experiments are not limited to digital design; he frequently starts his projects on paper, using various tools like brushes, markers, and reed pens. This tactile approach allows him to connect more deeply with his work, feeling the letters take shape under his hand. His sketches often serve as the foundation for digital designs, capturing the raw energy and spontaneity of the initial creative impulse.
Reza also encourages his students to embrace experimentation, often assigning exercises that push the boundaries of traditional typography. He believes that creativity flourishes when designers are willing to step outside their comfort zones and explore uncharted territory, even if it means failing along the way.
His approach to teaching typography extends beyond technical skills; he emphasizes the importance of curiosity and playfulness, urging students to view each project as an opportunity to learn and grow. This emphasis on exploration is a central theme in Reza’s work, reflecting his belief that creativity thrives when it is given room to breathe and evolve.
From Personal Projects to Professional Success
Reza’s passion for typography extends beyond client work, as he frequently engages in personal projects that allow him to explore new ideas without the constraints of a brief. He channels his frustrations from client restrictions into these projects, where he has complete freedom to create fonts that align with his personal vision. These public fonts often gain widespread popularity, demonstrating the impact of pursuing creativity for its own sake.
However, Reza admits that even personal projects can become professional endeavors, blurring the line between work and play. While this approach has led to commercial success, he acknowledges that it can also limit his ability to experiment freely. Despite these challenges, Reza remains committed to pushing the boundaries of typography, constantly seeking new ways to innovate and inspire.
He compares his creative process to a journey, where each project is a step forward in exploring new territories of design. This journey is not linear; it is marked by detours, setbacks, and moments of discovery. Reza’s willingness to embrace both success and failure as part of the creative process is a defining aspect of his approach, allowing him to grow as a designer and artist.
Embracing Authenticity in a Constrained World
Throughout his interview with Hossein Nasiri, Reza emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, even when faced with external pressures. He believes that authenticity is essential not only in design but in life as well. This philosophy extends to his relationships with clients, where he strives to maintain open communication and ensure that his designs align with both his creative vision and the client’s brand identity.
Reza’s dedication to authenticity is evident in his design choices, which often prioritize simplicity and clarity over complexity. He believes that the most effective designs are those that communicate their message without unnecessary embellishments. This minimalist approach reflects his broader philosophy of focusing on what truly matters, both in design and in life.
Conclusion: The Legacy of a Typographic Visionary
Reza Bakhtiarifard’s conversation on Cozy Corner with Hossein Nasiri offers valuable insights into the art of typography and the creative process behind it. His journey as a typographer is a testament to the power of focus, authenticity, and a willingness to embrace constraints as opportunities for innovation.
From his early morning rituals to his philosophical reflections on design, Reza’s
story is one of dedication and passion. His work serves as both an artistic achievement and a cultural contribution, shaping the landscape of Persian typography while inspiring designers to pursue their own creative paths.
By nurturing his creative “garden” through deep work and authenticity, Reza has cultivated a legacy that transcends commercial success, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment and meaningful work. His story is a reminder that true creativity lies not in the absence of constraints but in the ability to thrive within them.
