MARAL FOROUZESH None
(She/Her)
Creative Director & Visual Communication Designer
MARAL FOROUZESH None
(She/Her)
Creative Director & Visual Communication Designer
Award-winning illustrator and founder of Yellow Birds Art Studio, dedicated to empowering children with Down Syndrome through the beauty of art.
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MARAL FOROUZESH is an Iranian award-winning illustrator, animation director, and educator based in Tehran. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphics and is a member of the Iranian Illustrators Association. As the founder of Yellow Birds Art Studio, MARAL has dedicated her career to the intersection of art and advocacy, specializing in teaching creativity and illustration to children with Down Syndrome.
She is renowned for her unique collaborative method, merging the intuitive artwork of her brother, MAZDAK, with her professional visual language. Her work, which spans across books, exhibitions, and animation, focuses on themes of diversity and acceptance.
. Selected International Honors (2018–2025):
- Winner: Bologna Children's Book Fair/Illustration Festival (Italy, 2024 & 2025)
- Winner: Moscow Illustration Festival (Russia, 2025)
- Winner: Sharjah Illustration Festival (UAE, 2023)
- Winner: Special Jury Prize, Golden Panda International (China, 2018)
- Finalist: Golden Pen of Belgrade (Serbia), Singapore Illustration Festival, and Vienna Blockchain Week.
. Published Works & Exhibitions:
MARAL has authored and illustrated several books, including FILKOOL (2025), A Girl Named Mari, and HOOHAA & MAZDAK. Her art has been showcased in major global galleries from Italy and Serbia to Singapore and Dubai, often featuring collaborative performances and sculptures created with and for the Down Syndrome community.
Education
College
Kamal-OL-MOLK University of Art and Architecture
Visual Communication
2005 – 2009
Personal Details
Birth Date
February 16, 1986
Nickname
YELLOW BIRD
Birth City
TEHRAN
Current City
RASHT
Hometown
TEHRAN
Height
165
Gender
Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Ethnicity
IRANIAN
Eye Color
Brown
Zodiac Sign
Aquarius
Married To
NASER REZAEIYAN
Children
NO
Trivia
1. The Origin of the Name:
The title "FILKOOL" is not just a character's name; it was a loving childhood nickname that MAZDAK (the artist and the director's brother) used to call MARAL during their childhood.
2. Authentic Voices:
To ensure total authenticity and emotional truth, every single character in the animation is voiced by an individual with Down Syndrome. No professional voice actors were used, making the sonic landscape of the film as inclusive as its visual world.
3. Artistic Collaboration:
The visual aesthetic of the film is a direct cinematic translation of MAZDAK's original drawings. The animation process was intentionally designed to preserve the raw, intuitive energy and the "perfect imperfections" of his art, rather than applying traditional professional corrections.
4. The Rhythm of Movement:
The pacing and movement of the characters were specifically choreographed to mirror the serene and deliberate physical rhythm of children with Down Syndrome, creating a unique "aesthetic of slowness" and peace.
Quotes
"Our differences are the very things that make us beautiful."
Award-winning illustrator and founder of Yellow Birds Art Studio, dedicated to empowering children with Down Syndrome through the beauty of art.
Contact
Company
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