Farshid Mesghali (IGDS) has been awarded the Icograda Achievement Award in recognition of over 35 years of exemplary service to the graphic design industry and his contributions to the fine arts fraternity, academia and student community in Iran and abroad. The Icograda Achievement Award is the highest recognition granted by Icograda to designers for their contribution to graphic design. Mesghali received the award during the closing ceremonies of the 9 Tehran International Poster Biennial 2007 on 22 July 2007.
Now in his 60's, Farshid Mesghali was at the forefront of Iran's first and perhaps most significant graphic design upheaval of the 1960's and 70's. His achievements in various fields of graphic design not just influenced, but brought considerable international recognition and acclaim, fame and honor to the design community of Iran.
His early work in the field of illustration and children's book design attracted the attention of many designers in Iran and abroad. He was one of the founders of the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (IIDCY), where many graphic designers of later periods were trained and started their creative careers.
It was while serving as director of IIDCY graphic design department between 1970 and 1978 that Farshid Mesghali produced his most brilliant illustrations for children's books, works which are revered by designers and public alike till today. It is no wonder that he was the first non-European/American artist ever to win the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1974.
Farshid Mesghali's designs for animation brought him many International awards too. His work in other fields of design; including layout, illustration, and poster design were also outstanding and established a fresh and ambitious flair to the field. He is respected by all his students and academia, particularly the College of Arts. In recent years, his achievements include research in the field of Persian typography and type design.
Mesghali was nominated by the Iranian Graphic Designers Society (IGDS), Iran's only organisation for graphic designers. He joins Sara Little Turnbull (AIGA) and Roy Clucas (think) as only the third recipient of the Achievement award in the 2005-2007 Icograda term.