Meet Taraneh karimi | Art Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taraneh karimi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taraneh, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Living in Iran comes with numerous international restrictions, such as limitations on travel, international transactions, and access to the global market, including app stores. These restrictions, imposed both externally and internally, make it impossible to access international creative resources. This situation led me to a deep depression, feeling isolated and left out. However, it also inspired me to create my own indie game, rather than waiting for opportunities to arise. This experience has significantly enriched my life as an artist and influencer.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I could never have imagined, even in my wildest dreams, how far I would come! From an early age, I was passionate about singing and drawing. My main dream was to become a singer, but due to the cultural constraints I grew up with, that dream hasn’t yet come true. Nevertheless, writing stories and drawing were part of my daily life.

After attending graphic design school, I gradually discovered digital art. By drawing digitally every day as a hobby, I eventually became a self-taught concept artist. This journey led me to work with Disney and Netflix on animation projects, create my own indie game, and collaborate with multiple game and animation companies. The most important lesson I’ve learned on this journey is to never underestimate my love for what I do while accepting failure as part of the process. Not every dream comes true, and even when they do, it might not feel the way you imagined. The journey of creation has always been the most enjoyable part for me more than the result, and it’s what made others take notice of my work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my country ever becomes free, I’d love to take people to the north of Iran, where I’m from. There, you can find lush green forests, beautiful beaches, and majestic mountains all close by. The region boasts a vibrant culture and some of the most delicious food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank me!!! This might sound strange, but I grew up in a rough neighborhood with little support from my family. Being a girl in a culture that routinely discriminates against women, I had to make my own way, no matter how much it hurt or how lonely and lost I felt. My journey is solely a result of my daily fight and, of course, the support of my amazing friends.

Website: https://www.taraneh.me

Instagram: taraneh.artworks

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraneh-k-88623352/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/6m22WPMfYwg?si=JW7QCszotJYsuspM

Image Credits
The event im speaking at is: In Morion Rotterdam
The magazine: CDQ 3dtotal