About
I use play to bring stories into focus and make room for new possibilities.
I'm a designer, filmmaker, educator, and artist whose work explores memory, belonging, culture, and community. Whether I'm creating a documentary, designing an exhibition, leading a workshop, or teaching in the classroom, I'm interested in helping people see familiar stories in new ways.
My practice combines design, ethnographic filmmaking, storytelling, and participatory experiences that invite curiosity, conversation, and discovery. Rather than offering answers, I create environments where people can explore, reflect, and imagine new possibilities for themselves and the communities they belong to.
Over the past twenty-five years, my work has grown from brand identity and design into documentary filmmaking, museum exhibitions, university teaching, and collaborative creative practice. Across these different forms, one question continues to guide me:
What does it mean to find home in a place,
in a story, and in ourselves?
in a story, and in ourselves?
USC Graduation MVA Visual Anthropology Cohort
Shirin Raban with Students at the Broad
Shirin Raban with Paula Scher at AIGA Conference
Shirin Raban at Saban Theatre
Transmedia Branding Design for The Daily Shake
40th Anniversary Commercial for Sadaf Foods
Transmedia Branding Design for Serengetti Tea and Coffee
My Journey
My creative path has never followed a straight line.
I began my career in graphic design, spending more than two decades helping organizations communicate through branding, packaging, and visual storytelling. Along the way, I became increasingly interested in the stories behind people, places, and culture. That curiosity led me to earn a Master's degree in Visual Anthropology at USC, where I shifted my focus from designing products to documenting lives and preserving cultural memory.
Today my work moves fluidly between documentary filmmaking, design, teaching, public speaking, and participatory art. Whether I am directing a film, mentoring students, leading a workshop, or creating an exhibition, I am interested in the same question:
How can creative practice help us see ourselves—and one another—with greater understanding?
What I do
I work across several connected areas:
Documentary Filmmaking
Creating films that preserve overlooked histories and explore identity, migration, memory, and belonging.
Creating films that preserve overlooked histories and explore identity, migration, memory, and belonging.
Design
Developing visual identities, publications, exhibitions, and storytelling experiences rooted in strategy and human connection.
Developing visual identities, publications, exhibitions, and storytelling experiences rooted in strategy and human connection.
Teaching & Mentorship
Helping students and emerging creatives discover their own voice while building the skills to communicate it effectively.
Helping students and emerging creatives discover their own voice while building the skills to communicate it effectively.
Community Workshops
Designing participatory experiences where storytelling, making, and dialogue become tools for connection across generations and cultures.
Designing participatory experiences where storytelling, making, and dialogue become tools for connection across generations and cultures.
Portfolio Coaching Case Study
Wishdoll Workshop
Mentorship Branding Project - Ryan Lyse
Mentorship Branding Project - Hanna Anderson
Experimental Film Master Workshop - Morgan Dackerman
Dr. Paula DiMarco + Shirin Raban
with UCLAx Students at LACMA
Michael Dooley + Shirin Raban
UCLAx Students at the Getty
Shirin Raban + Prof. Aglaia Mortcheva
3D Printed Package Design
CSUN Design Career Workshop at Toolbox LA
at CSUN with Design Communication Faculty
Selected Highlights
• Lecturer, USC Roski School of Art and Design
• Instructor, UCLA Extension
• Graphic designer with more than 25 years
of professional experience
of professional experience
• Documentary filmmaker exploring identity,
memory, and cultural heritage
memory, and cultural heritage
• Featured artist in Meet Your Neighbor,
the inaugural exhibition at Holocaust Museum LA's
Goldrich Cultural Center
the inaugural exhibition at Holocaust Museum LA's
Goldrich Cultural Center
• Director of My Lost Iran, The Fifth Question,
and Between the Shells
and Between the Shells
• Speaker, workshop facilitator, and mentor working
across design, film, and community engagement
across design, film, and community engagement
What Connects it All
Although my projects take different forms, they all begin with curiosity.
I am drawn to the stories people carry, the traditions that shape us, and the ways creativity can bring hidden experiences into conversation. Whether through film, design, research, or collaborative workshops, I hope to create spaces where people feel seen, where cultures are better understood, and where imagination opens new possibilities for connection.
Client Testimonials
“I was lucky enough to work with Shirin at Mattel and found her to be a top-notch creative with great design, branding and packaging knowledge. She's filled with innovative ideas and is always willing to go that extra mile on projects and for people. She's a true professional and is a joy to work with. After she left Mattel we continued to work together on various projects and I always look forward to collaborating with her.”
Shirin is a pleasure to work with! She’s not only talented and extremely creative, she’s energetic, insightful and always professional. We worked together on a billboard project and I found her to be a truly inspiring colleague. I hope I get the chance to work with her in the future.
–Julee Shapiro (Copywriter, Mattel Toys)
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Shirin's graphic designs for the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra have created a new level of excitement and respect for our organization. How rare that a graphic designer excels in so many formats! Shirin's logos, invitations, posters, and brochures all inspire a "wow" effect from everyone that sees them. I am struck by her flair to intuit the heart of the message we are after, and then to create striking visuals that bring that message to such life.
–Russell Steinberg (Artistic Director, L.A. Youth Orchestra)
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Shirin is a solid designer and her "can do" attitude is a big plus. She is devoted to her craft and finds unique solutions to a variety of assignments. She is a pleasure to work with and would be an asset to any organization fortunate enough to work with her.
–Andrea Bell (Supervisor: Art Director, Radical Communication)
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Working with Shirin to develop a flyer for my Boot Camp was a pleasure. She is creative, professional quick, and enjoys her work. Shirin listened to my ideas, understood my needs and came up with a design that targeted my audience perfectly. I know that the success of my camp this summer was helped by her work.
–Mitch Newman (Client: Founder, Hilltop Boot Camp, LA Phil 1st violinist)
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Upon our decision to improve our company's branding and expanding our product line to gain a competitive edge, there were several qualities we identified that were most critical to us. Understanding our industry, creatively incorporating our views and ideas, and working closely with us toward a timely fulfillment. Shirin surpassed our expectations on all accounts. We've received countless compliments from consumers and distributors and I look very forward to continue working with her on all our designing needs.
–Jason and Mark Rofeh (Client: Serengeti Tea Company)
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Shirin was my mentor for a quarter while I was studying at UCLA Extension. She helped guide me through the completion of my first full case study of a logo redesign. I really enjoyed working with her because she really knows the branding field and posed great questions for me to answer during the whole process, which helped me learn a lot. I was extremely happy with how the project turned out thanks to her guidance.” August 9, 2011
–Ryan Lyse (Mentorship Student, Branding Case Study, UCLA Extension)
Shirin is a pleasure to work with! She’s not only talented and extremely creative, she’s energetic, insightful and always professional. We worked together on a billboard project and I found her to be a truly inspiring colleague. I hope I get the chance to work with her in the future.
–Julee Shapiro (Copywriter, Mattel Toys)
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Shirin's graphic designs for the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra have created a new level of excitement and respect for our organization. How rare that a graphic designer excels in so many formats! Shirin's logos, invitations, posters, and brochures all inspire a "wow" effect from everyone that sees them. I am struck by her flair to intuit the heart of the message we are after, and then to create striking visuals that bring that message to such life.
–Russell Steinberg (Artistic Director, L.A. Youth Orchestra)
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Shirin is a solid designer and her "can do" attitude is a big plus. She is devoted to her craft and finds unique solutions to a variety of assignments. She is a pleasure to work with and would be an asset to any organization fortunate enough to work with her.
–Andrea Bell (Supervisor: Art Director, Radical Communication)
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Working with Shirin to develop a flyer for my Boot Camp was a pleasure. She is creative, professional quick, and enjoys her work. Shirin listened to my ideas, understood my needs and came up with a design that targeted my audience perfectly. I know that the success of my camp this summer was helped by her work.
–Mitch Newman (Client: Founder, Hilltop Boot Camp, LA Phil 1st violinist)
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Upon our decision to improve our company's branding and expanding our product line to gain a competitive edge, there were several qualities we identified that were most critical to us. Understanding our industry, creatively incorporating our views and ideas, and working closely with us toward a timely fulfillment. Shirin surpassed our expectations on all accounts. We've received countless compliments from consumers and distributors and I look very forward to continue working with her on all our designing needs.
–Jason and Mark Rofeh (Client: Serengeti Tea Company)
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Shirin was my mentor for a quarter while I was studying at UCLA Extension. She helped guide me through the completion of my first full case study of a logo redesign. I really enjoyed working with her because she really knows the branding field and posed great questions for me to answer during the whole process, which helped me learn a lot. I was extremely happy with how the project turned out thanks to her guidance.” August 9, 2011
–Ryan Lyse (Mentorship Student, Branding Case Study, UCLA Extension)
Student Testimonials
Thank you for a great quarter! I really enjoyed your class and your style of teaching. I have found it much different from the other classes that I have taken at UCLA Extension and I learned an incredible amount from your insight and experience. I wish I was able to attend the zoom classes but I’ve been in Virginia since the class began and it ran too late for my schedule. I look forward to having more classes with you in the future and hope to be able to join the zoom group discussions next time.
Thank you again!
Natalie Bell
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You are a wonderful professor and mentor. Thank you. I will continue to improve, I will never forget your teachings. I have truly learned a lot. Some students like myself just need confidence, and thank you for showing the way. Product design wasn't my major when I came to CSUN, after taking your class and talking to you it helped me a lot to make that decision. Hope you will continue to teach and I wish you all the best.
Thank you again!
Natalie Bell
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You are a wonderful professor and mentor. Thank you. I will continue to improve, I will never forget your teachings. I have truly learned a lot. Some students like myself just need confidence, and thank you for showing the way. Product design wasn't my major when I came to CSUN, after taking your class and talking to you it helped me a lot to make that decision. Hope you will continue to teach and I wish you all the best.
–Mark Miranda (Packaging student CSUN)
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I really liked your encouraging style of teaching. I know design is about solving problems, but it's still filled with very sensitive creative types, so encouragement and gentle criticism is very helpful. I think everyone can agree that when a teacher gets excited about and appreciates an aspect of a student's work it feels really great -- and it makes a student want to work even harder.
–Dylan Stewart (Online Logo Design student, UCLA Extension)
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I feel like I'm already learning a lot in this class! I previously thought designing logos was extremely difficult because they were created based on name and image alone. But here, I've learned to ask questions about the core values of the company, know what the client wants to convey in the logo, who is the audience/customer, etc... And although designing logos is not an easy task, it's much easier after having to consider the answers to these questions, and more ideas can come to mind while drafting potential designs for a logo.
– Stephie Sajor (Logo design class UCLA Extension)
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I loved learning about packaging. It has opened a whole new world for me noticing packages EVERYWHERE! Everything was well organized and the progression of projects is very logical. Each step builds on itself to a final piece without being overwhelming. I had a fun experience in this class. Hopefully, I will be able to create some packages at work. Thank you Shirin!
– Carolann Jerome
(Online Package Design student, UCLA Extension)
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This was one of the better online classes for a computer program I took so far. I thought the video lessons were very well done and the assignments were challenging but I learned so much from it. I had never used Indesign before and I'm feeling very confident with it now. Thank you so much for showing me how to use InDesign .
– Linda Booth (Design student, UCLA Extension)
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Your class was so helpful for me this past semester. I really benefited from the lectures on interviewing and resumes, and all the group work. I applied for Anthropologie and am now a part-time employee there! (I did what you said, I created a vintage inspired resume and folder (handmade). You were right about going out and "Just doing it" once you know what you love. I also created an artistic resume and spread sheet of some of my make-up designand have an interview with Clinique.
Thanks again, your class was such a great experience for me. I've really learned how to sell myself by going the extra mile with the resume and overall presentation.
–Jackie Burch (Illustration student, Senior Project, CSUN)
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All the assignments you have given us have been so relevant and helpful for my career. I know it was hard for you to figure out how to accommodate such a wide variety of fields of study. Somehow, you really pulled through and managed to organize the class in a way that was beneficial and relevant to each one of us. I hope you teach this class again in the future. I was fortunate to have been enrolled in your section. Not all professors genuinely care about the student's needs as you do. Thank you!
–Jessica Pride (Fine Arts student, Senior Project, CSUN)
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I really liked your encouraging style of teaching. I know design is about solving problems, but it's still filled with very sensitive creative types, so encouragement and gentle criticism is very helpful. I think everyone can agree that when a teacher gets excited about and appreciates an aspect of a student's work it feels really great -- and it makes a student want to work even harder.
–Dylan Stewart (Online Logo Design student, UCLA Extension)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I feel like I'm already learning a lot in this class! I previously thought designing logos was extremely difficult because they were created based on name and image alone. But here, I've learned to ask questions about the core values of the company, know what the client wants to convey in the logo, who is the audience/customer, etc... And although designing logos is not an easy task, it's much easier after having to consider the answers to these questions, and more ideas can come to mind while drafting potential designs for a logo.
– Stephie Sajor (Logo design class UCLA Extension)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I loved learning about packaging. It has opened a whole new world for me noticing packages EVERYWHERE! Everything was well organized and the progression of projects is very logical. Each step builds on itself to a final piece without being overwhelming. I had a fun experience in this class. Hopefully, I will be able to create some packages at work. Thank you Shirin!
– Carolann Jerome
(Online Package Design student, UCLA Extension)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This was one of the better online classes for a computer program I took so far. I thought the video lessons were very well done and the assignments were challenging but I learned so much from it. I had never used Indesign before and I'm feeling very confident with it now. Thank you so much for showing me how to use InDesign .
– Linda Booth (Design student, UCLA Extension)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Your class was so helpful for me this past semester. I really benefited from the lectures on interviewing and resumes, and all the group work. I applied for Anthropologie and am now a part-time employee there! (I did what you said, I created a vintage inspired resume and folder (handmade). You were right about going out and "Just doing it" once you know what you love. I also created an artistic resume and spread sheet of some of my make-up designand have an interview with Clinique.
Thanks again, your class was such a great experience for me. I've really learned how to sell myself by going the extra mile with the resume and overall presentation.
–Jackie Burch (Illustration student, Senior Project, CSUN)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
All the assignments you have given us have been so relevant and helpful for my career. I know it was hard for you to figure out how to accommodate such a wide variety of fields of study. Somehow, you really pulled through and managed to organize the class in a way that was beneficial and relevant to each one of us. I hope you teach this class again in the future. I was fortunate to have been enrolled in your section. Not all professors genuinely care about the student's needs as you do. Thank you!
–Jessica Pride (Fine Arts student, Senior Project, CSUN)