Interview with Behzad Baradaran – Porcelain Label Designer
Please introduce yourself.
Hello, I’m Behzad Baradaran, a software engineering graduate, filmmaker, and porcelain label designer.
What led you into the porcelain label design industry?
In 2020, I was introduced to the Chini Taghdis Porcelain Company through a friend and began working there as a designer.
Tell us about your first project and the challenges you faced.
My first project remained incomplete, and I never managed to finalize a design from it. However, the first actual commissioned design I completed was a simple and minimal style using four colors: gold, metallic gold, luster, and raised white. The biggest challenge I had was the stress of seeing my design go to print. It’s a strange and indescribable feeling when your first design gets mass-produced.
What has been your most significant achievement in this field so far?
My most prominent and successful design was called Irana, which I created in August 2023 just as I was resigning from Chini Taghdis for personal reasons. I remember staying 20 minutes late to submit it. I told the company’s lead engineer, “I’m going to design something that keeps getting ordered after I leave,” and that’s exactly what happened. It became one of the company’s best-selling designs.
Do you collaborate with label production companies?
Yes, I collaborate with one production company abroad, one domestic company, and several transfer production groups in Iran.
What challenges have you faced on this journey?
The biggest challenge when designing—especially within production companies—is dealing with people who hinder your progress. These individuals constantly create obstacles. My advice is to stay away from such people and continue working with strength and confidence.
Share a bitter memory from your work.
I had one painful experience that became a life lesson. We received a small amount of test ink, which I used for a sample design. The sample was approved, but we didn’t have any more of that ink later. They found a similar shade and printed the final design with that. I didn’t see the printed product until later, when I noticed a plate color that caught my attention. When I looked closely, I realized it was my design—but the color was drastically different. That experience taught me to be involved in every step of production and approve the final output myself. That design disheartened me so much that I didn’t even want to claim it as mine.
How do you deal with competition in this industry?
Competition in any field can be a driving force for progress. When I see others working in my field, I see them more as friends—we’re all growing together. Of course, mindsets vary, but for me, friendship in the workplace matters more.
How do you feel when students learn from you?
As you may know, we run training courses for porcelain label design. It’s a great feeling when someone starts from scratch and eventually submits a refined, polished design as their portfolio. So far, our students have all been creative and motivated, and I’m truly proud of that.
What advice do you have for those who want to enter this field?
My first piece of advice is to get proper training, as it helps you learn the process from start to finish and reduces confusion. My next recommendation is to improve visual literacy. There are many designer-operators out there, but few who can take a design from concept to completion.
You also work with halftone designs, right?
Yes, we’ve dedicated part of our work to teaching and designing halftones.
Where do you draw inspiration for your designs?
We take inspiration from nature, paintings, and both Iranian and global culture and traditions.
In your opinion, what makes a design successful?
A successful design, in my view, is one that tells a story and reflects the emotions of the designer at the moment of creation. When you give positive energy to a design, it becomes much more impactful.
How can people get in touch with you?
We’ve provided several ways to connect. Our website is www.behzadbaradaran.ir, our Instagram is @behzadbaradaran95, and our Telegram ID is @behzadbaradaran. We also post tutorials and podcasts on our YouTube channel.
If you could go back in time, would you choose the same path?
There’s no going back, but if I had the chance to go back 100 times, I’d choose the same path each time. This job is a blend of passion, art, and technology.
What’s something people don’t know about your profession?
Something not very visible in our profession is the level of precision and detail required in design. Some of our designs include lines as fine as 0.1 mm. There are also strict printing rules that can make designing very difficult.
Do your designs reflect your personality?
Absolutely. Your design is like your child—it’s the essence of your thoughts, art, and creativity. That’s why I always say in interviews and meetings: the first requirement for a good design is a calm mind.
What advice would you give to designers in this field?
I’m not in a position to give advice, but as someone active in this field, here are a few tips:
Don’t design when you’re tired or mentally preoccupied.
Don’t copy others. If you see a design trending in the market, don’t create a similar vector—it devalues your originality.
Follow up on your design’s performance in the market and with clients so you can improve future versions based on feedback.
Prepared by the Communications Department of Behzad Baradaran Design Academy