Designing is a practice that is dependent on tomorrow. We are evolving, improving, beautifying or expanding through design of all objects. When your world is destroyed, what can a designer draw upon for inspiration? Julie shares a heartfelt discussion with Nima Bavardi and Aidin Ardjomandi, sharing their insights from current wartimes in Iran. Iranian lighting designers raise the frequency through elevation of current status. Lighting competitions and international lighting community is connected inspiring each other and bringing new ideas to life through industry peer reviewed competitions and exhibitions.
ABOUT NIMA BAVARDI & AIDIN ARDJOMANDI
Nima Bavardi was born and currently residing in Tabriz, Iran. Nima's deep passion for creating products that enhance everyday life, has driven him to be a leader in the international design industry. He is the founder of Designooor, an online lighting media and magazine, which was recognized as the Best Online Lighting Media of 2025. Founder of the Kioskedia Awards, Co-founder of the Universal Lighting Platform, and the D'Light Awards as well as being jury of LIT Awards and other organizations, he still finds time to design his own lighting! His work continues to shape the future of lighting and product design, positioning him as a key figure in the global design community.
Nima has earned numerous international design awards throughout his career.
Aidin Ardjomandi is an Iranian multidisciplinary designer, author, researcher, lecturer and design critic whose work moves between the studio, the jury room, the classroom and the page.
His designed objects include a new musical instrument that combines the conceptual territories of the cello and didgeridoo. Across the practice, the object is never treated as a neutral solution. It is a carrier of memory, persuasion, cultural reference and emotion.
That conviction also shapes his writing. As Editorial Manager of Designooor, Ardjomandi writes about lighting, visual culture, architecture, film, games and the politics of attention. His criticism asks what images frame, what publications legitimize and how design narratives can conceal as much as they reveal. Aidin designs objects, studies how they acquire meaning and questions the systems that decide which designs matter.
"This is not a story of light vs darkness. This is a story of light and light"
IN THIS EPISODE
"Not all light is beautiful". Bombs, fire and destruction are forms of light that drive the focus for these designers. The light within is what must keep shining as new ideas are hope for tomorrow.
YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT
In this conversation, you'll hear about:
- How Julie met Nima and Aidin through submitting lighting projects through for lighting awards. Becoming international friends in the global lighting community.
- Nima's worldwide reach as a designer, community builder, and jury member for prestigious international awards. Aidin's requisite for good design is not only how something is created, but how the user is a partner in the story of its use.
- How war changes focus to find the simple joys of life. Family, freinds, and favorite local landscapes, flora and fauna. Human centered design. Using light to evoke emotion.
- Designooor, an online lighting media and magazine, was recognized as the Best Online Lighting Media of 2025
- The world sends love to others in who are living in unstable countries at war. It is so important to create friendships around the world who can build the energy of love that does conquer times of darkness.
- Internet connections in Iran are not stable, and therefore we have a few glitches in the conversation. Thank you for your understanding.
- Listen to this episode for inspiration from Iranian designers who create everyday while they live their lives in wartimes.
- EXTRA: As we signed off to say our goodbyes, in Julie's morning timezone Nima and Aidin were preparing for a night of bombing by the US. I hung up the call and cried. When do we stop hurting each other and this planet?
A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU
We always associate light with good and beauty. What does it take to design from ashes burned by destructive light?
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EPISODE RESOURCES
- Designoor https://designooor.com/
- D'Light Awards https://dlightaward.com/
- Aidin Ardjomandi https://aidinardjomandi.com/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nima-bavardi-3a5522116/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidin-ardjomandi/
- LIT Awards: https://litawards.com/
- A'Design Award Competition: https://competition.adesignaward.com/
- Kioskedia Award: https://award.kioskedia.com/en
- Michael Jackson Earth Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU
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