The cultural and literary quarterly Samarkand, edited by Ali Dehbashi, was published in 10 issues between Spring 2003 and Summer 2005. Each issue was dedicated to a prominent writer or poet, such as Virginia Woolf, Marcel Proust, Luigi Pirandello, and Anna Akhmatova, featuring a collection of articles, selected writings, and literary critiques alongside various photographs and documents. With its research-oriented approach and rich content, Samarkand provided an in-depth exploration of these literary figures’ works and lives, becoming a valuable resource in the field of literary criticism and studies.
“When I designed the first cover and chose the beautiful, familiar, and captivating image of Virginia Woolf, I told myself that I would use portraits for all future issues,” said Majid Abbasi. Portraits were the best choice for these special editions, and to create a cohesive visual identity, he used a light ochre background—blended with a Multiply effect—while adding a unique element to each issue, such as a butterfly, autumn leaves, handwritten notes, and more. This unified visual identity was maintained not only in the images but also in the typography, layout, and color palette, ensuring a consistent and harmonious aesthetic throughout the collection.
Portraits were the best choice for these special editions, and to create a cohesive visual identity
