Abbasi’s first love was music.  He has taken a lot from the world of classical and jazz and been able to apply it in his art.

“Because of my knowledge in music, I learn harmony, contrast, composition [and] color,” he says with the hint of a smile.

Abbasi turned 13 years old in 1979, the year of the first Iranian revolution. He remembers the whole atmosphere of Iran changing.

“Many people at this time were involved in politics,” Abbasi says. “I have a lot of memories from that, but I’m very happy that I have seen everything and this gave me a lot of experience.”

Because of a war between Iraq and Iran, Abbasi didn’t go to college right after high school.  Seven years passed before he chose to study graphic design at the University of Tehran.

Apart from music, his family acts as a major influence on his life and professional work. He has a wife and two sons, 8 and 11, who live in Tehran.

“You can see some of my work comes from my family,” he says. “One of my book cover designs is a portrait of my mom from a young age. Another poster is a painting from my youngest son. This makes me happy [to involve them in my work].”

Abbasi works full time as both a professor and graphic designer, something that can be tiring, but he finds comfort in knowing that his wife and sons support both of his jobs.  He says he has no regrets in his life and it continues to show through his passion for art.