Mehrdad Sedaghat is an Iranian artist, designer, and educator. In 2016, he moved to the U.S. to pursue his MFA degree at Michigan State University. His professional experiences in Iran include a wide range of design practices, teaching and community outreach. He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Applied Science and Technology in Mashhad, director for several festivals and cultural events, art director and graphic designer for the Istgah Azadi publication and Felesh advertising agency, and principle organizer for the Day of Design in Mashhad City.

Mehrdad’s research and projects focus on hybrid visual culture and its relationship to global politics in the Middle East and the United States.  Born out of his life experience spanning two cultures, Mehrdad’s work critically and creatively focuses on human interactions. In doing so he hopes to enlighten individuals beyond what is commonly available in mainstream media, create opportunities for discourse and ultimately bring people together where politics has failed.

Mehrdad’s work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions, internationally and nationally at numerous venues including the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, East Lansing; MI, Arab American National Museum, Dearborn, MI; Radin Art Gallery, Mashhad, Iran; and Iranian Artists Forum, Tehran, Iran. He is also the recipient of  numerous grants and fellowships including the Summer College Research Abroad Monies Award and the Selma & Stanley Hollander Fellowship while at MSU.

Mehrdad is an Assistant Professor in Graphic Design in the Department of Visual Arts and Art History at Florida Atlantic University, where he hopes to prepare students not only for careers as professional practitioners but also with a heightened understanding of design as a social practice.