Santur Academy

Santur Academy is a private music institution based in the Bay Area, California, dedicated to preserving and promoting Iranian Classical music and the ancient Santur instrument. Under the direction of composer, performer, and instructor Faraz Minooei, the academy has been a cultural cornerstone for over a decade. I was commissioned to create the logo design and a header illustration that visually represent the academy’s mission and spirit.

The logo is inspired by the mezrab (sticks) used to play the Santur and the form of an open book, symbolizing the sharing of musical knowledge. The illustration portrays two Santur sticks coming together in a symbolic embrace—representing love and harmony—set within a ziggurat-shaped temple, echoing the sacred geometry and form of the Santur instrument itself.

This project merges symbolism, tradition, and storytelling into a cohesive visual identity that honors the cultural and emotional depth of Persian music.

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Created using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.​