A Study in Representation of National Identity: 50 Years of Contemporary Iranian Graphics (1961-2011)

One of the major functions of graphics is representation of Identity. This mainly focuses on identity of organizations, firms and persons to meet commercial or legal purposes. In this study, however, those ways have been addressed by which Iranian Identity has been represented graphically through applying visual elements rooted in Iranian culture. The present research tried to determine the extent to which graphic representation of Iranian Identity has been undergone changes during the years 1961-2011. Also it addressed the major visual elements used in representing Iranian Identity. The research aimed at raising the Iranian graphics designers’ awareness of the evolution of representation of Iranian Identity graphically in order to discover those visual Iranian elements remained undiscovered so far. The methodology is descriptive. Also, the data were collected based on library sources, data bases as well as on analysis of graphic works. The results indicated that Iranian graphics designers used to apply dual themes in their culture in order to represent Iranian Identity. Today, however, the do the same by taking advantage of various visual elements shown in different forms. The dominant visual elements used to represent national Identity by the Iranian graphics designers include visual elements, Iranian calligraphy, Iranian colors, architectural elements, Iranian rugs and kelims as well as elements of collective memory.