Interviews with Mahdokht Rezakhani

Design goes beyond mere function. It should evoke emotions, tell a story, and create a positive impact on people's lives. This could be through aesthetics, usability, or even social and environmental considerations.

I'm particularly drawn to projects that bring cultural narratives to life. I believe design has the power to preserve cultural heritage, foster empathy, and build bridges between people through the shared language of visual storytelling.

I'm particularly drawn to designs that utilize geometric principles. I find it fascinating how a collection of small, seemingly simple shapes can come together to create a complex and beautiful whole, adhering to strict geometric rules.

I prioritize the user experience above all else. I focus heavily on understanding the user's needs, pain points, and goals. This involves conducting thorough user research, creating user personas, and testing designs with real users to ensure they are intuitive, accessible, and enjoyable.

Designing is a rollercoaster of emotions! There's the initial excitement and energy as I delve into a new challenge. Then comes the focus and concentration as I brainstorm ideas and start to sketch. Sometimes there's frustration when things aren't working out as planned, but overcoming those obstacles and seeing the design come together is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride when I create something that is both beautiful and functional.

Seeing my designs come to life is incredibly gratifying. It's a validation of all the hard work, research, and iteration that went into the process. There's a sense of accomplishment and pride in knowing that my ideas have translated into a tangible product or experience that others can enjoy and use.

A truly successful design is a balance of form and function. It is aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, and effective in achieving its goals. It is also sustainable, ethical, and considerate of its environmental and social impact.

I initially assess the design's aesthetics and functionality. Is it visually appealing and engaging? Does it have a strong visual hierarchy and clear visual cues? Is it functional and easy to use? These initial impressions often set the tone for my overall evaluation.

Designers have a responsibility to create sustainable, equitable, and ethical solutions. This includes minimizing environmental impact, ensuring inclusivity for all users, and considering the ethical implications of their work throughout the entire design process.

The design field is evolving rapidly, driven by AI, immersive technologies, and a growing focus on sustainability and ethics. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be key as designers work to create innovative and impactful solutions for a changing world.

My design inspiration draws from a diverse range of sources. Nature is a constant source of wonder. I also find inspiration in the rich history of design, and in the diverse cultures I encounter through travel and immersion. To nurture my creativity, I actively seek out new experiences, engage in creative hobbies, and cultivate a curious and observant mind. I believe inspiration can be found everywhere – in the everyday details of life, the works of others, and the ever-evolving world around us.

I live in Tehran, Iran. The cultural heritage of my country undoubtedly influences my design sensibilities.

My design process begins with thorough research. I delve deep into the user needs, project goals, and competitive landscape. This research informs my ideation phase, where I explore various concepts and brainstorm potential solutions. I then create prototypes and test them with users, iterating on the design based on their feedback. This iterative process continues until I arrive at a solution that is both user-friendly and effective.

Design is a lifelong journey of discovery. Embrace challenges, experiment boldly, and don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild.

Being a designer offers creative freedom and the chance to make a real impact. However, it's a competitive field with demanding deadlines and subjective feedback. Continuous learning is crucial to stay ahead, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential.

"Always question your assumptions."

For designers, success hinges on a blend of creativity and technical proficiency. This includes strong visual thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, alongside mastery of design software and research methodologies.

I constantly seek new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow as a designer. I believe that good design has the power to improve lives and make the world a more beautiful and user-friendly place. I am eager to contribute my skills and creativity to a dynamic environment where I can collaborate with talented individuals and contribute to innovative projects.

The architectural inspiration for the octagonal playboard came directly from studying the functionality and structure of traditional Persian bazaars, to adapt those real-world logistics into tangible gameplay opportunities. The most significant creative addition was the day and night elements, which were introduced specifically to clearly delineate two distinct, sequential phases of gameplay within the central Bazaar section, significantly enhancing the strategic depth and flow of the game.

The research process into regional carpet motifs was the foundational element for Dastbaf's visual identity. Carpets from different regions across Iran possess unique and distinctive visual patterns, creating a rich artistic framework. This diversity provided the perfect visual context for the player boards, which represent different carpet-weaving workshops in various Iranian cities. This approach not only delivered aesthetic beauty and showcased the regional differences but also had a functional impact on the game. Giving each player a distinct board with a unique visual identity ensured a highly differentiated gameplay experience that is directly tied to the cultural heritage it celebrates.

The process of adapting the abstract symbolism of Persian carpet design involved a core strategy of translation and functional mapping. The process started by deconstructing the traditional motifs into their elemental components, then mapping these ancient patterns to modern game mechanics. For instance, the carpet's geometric grid became the functional layout of the game's carpet tiles. This ensured a clean, contemporary visual style for high readability, making the design elements the language of play itself and seamlessly connecting a centuries-old craft with modern strategy gaming.

The design of the bazaar mechanism was repeatedly tested and evaluated by players in various visual forms before it finally took shape. This iterative process was crucial. The playtesting results ultimately confirmed which design worked best—the one that provided a compelling and balanced experience—and this version was consequently adopted as the final functional design.

Hard box packaging is the industry standard for board games and is highly effective in protecting a product. Given Dastbaf's diverse and numerous components, selecting a hard box was a perfectly logical and justified choice for component safety. This decision meant that the primary responsibility for conveying the game's visual identity and cultural heritage rested entirely on the illustration shown on the package. Focused on creating an abstract, evocative depiction of the game's theme using traditional Iranian visual elements and motifs, the packaging immediately conveyed the cultural essence and aesthetic beauty of Persian carpet art to the player.

Board games are a powerful, engaging platform for disseminating culture, and their tangible, visual elements serve as the most direct tools for this cultural presentation. Therefore, Dastbaf represents an innovative approach to celebrating and honoring this profound art form—Persian carpet weaving—through a completely new lens.

At its heart, Persian visual identity is defined by the dynamic harmony of tradition and innovation. While the essence of carpet weaving remains constant, its methods are continuously reinvented across Iran's regions. This principle of adaptable authenticity became Dastbaf's core design tool. It led to solving the creative challenge, naturally merging the educational value of authentic weaving with an engaging, entertaining visual identity.

The art and craft of carpet weaving involves numerous intricacies and minute details. The primary challenge was finding the precise point of balance between honoring all these visual opportunities and ensuring they did not disrupt the gameplay flow. Achieving this equilibrium—where the visual aesthetics and design principles served the functional mechanics of the board game without compromising their own authenticity—was the biggest hurdle in the visual design of every component.

I believe the core influence will be establishing a successful template for fusing cultural depth with modern interactivity. Iran's culture is vibrant, offering immense visual potential, and gaming serves as a potent medium for visual storytelling. I hope that the Dastbaf model will inspire and be replicated in other cultural contexts, thereby paving the way for a new generation of culturally inspired games that foster a deep and effective connection between the audience and diverse cultural subjects.