Esfahan City Branding: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Creating a Visual Identity that Reflects the Majesty of Esfahan

The city of Esfahan, known as the first tourist destination in Iran, has recently undergone a remarkable transformation with its new city branding project. Led by renowned designer Sanaz Tabatabaei, the Esfahan City Branding initiative aims to increase the tourism potential of the city while bringing harmony to its visual language.

At the heart of the Esfahan City Branding project is a logo that captures the essence of the city. Inspired by the hidden peacock motif found in the dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the logo symbolizes the majesty and beauty that permeates every aspect of Esfahan. The modern and dynamic texture of the logo draws inspiration from the city's rich tradition of arabesque and Islamic art and architecture.

One of the unique properties of the Esfahan City Branding project is its wide range of applications. The visual material and ambient for official and public spaces can be found in various forms, including print media, publications, out-of-home boards, banners, cars, window stickers, gifts, and signboards. This comprehensive approach ensures that the city's visual identity is consistently represented across different platforms.

In addition to the physical manifestations of the branding project, a mobile application has been developed to enhance the visitor experience in Esfahan. The app serves as a guide, helping visitors find suitable tours, places, shops, restaurants, and untold stories about the city. To engage users, the app is gamified, allowing foreigners to become honorary "Esfahaners" by earning qualifications and rewards such as discounts on certified products and services. Furthermore, the app provides a platform for users to rate the city's services, incentivizing producers to improve the quality of their offerings.

The Esfahan City Branding project was not without its challenges. The main obstacle was creating a design that would attract both tourists and locals, while maintaining a sense of relatability for both groups. Additionally, the wide range of communication materials, from the official corporate identity and stationary to the signage system and gamified application, presented a multi-dimensional challenge in maintaining consistency and integrity throughout the project.

The success of the Esfahan City Branding project has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, it was awarded the prestigious Iron A' Design Award in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This recognition is a testament to the project's well-designed, practical, and innovative approach, meeting professional and industrial requirements while contributing to a better world.

The Esfahan City Branding project, led by Sanaz Tabatabaei and her talented team, has not only elevated the visual identity of the city but has also created a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. With its captivating logo, comprehensive applications, and engaging mobile app, Esfahan is poised to attract even more visitors and showcase its rich cultural heritage to the world.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Sanaz Tabatabaei
Image Credits: Sanaz Tabatabaei
Project Team Members: Design strategist: Foad Tajali Design director: Sanaz tabatabaei Creative director: Aboozar Alavitabar Acount director: Farbod Tajali Creative team: Foad Tajali, Sanaz Tabatabaei, Aboozar Alavitabar, Sepid Ghaemi, Hasan Yoghar Design team: Sanaz Tabatabaei, Hasan yoghar, Maryam Rahimi 3D artists:Mohammad Ghadimi, Mohammad Ali Fathi, farid Feizollahi, Parisa Pasandideh Video Team: Reza Misaghi, Bahram Yaghmaei
Project Name: Story of Esfahan
Project Client: Sanaz Tabatabaei


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