Seyedali Miri

Specialized in Lighting Design.

Seyedali Miri

About Seyedali Miri

Seyedali Miri is an architect and multidisciplinary designer whose work bridges architecture, interior spaces, and product design with a refined sense of materiality and cultural depth. With a foundation in architectural theory and spatial storytelling, his creations reflect a commitment to both functionality and emotional resonance. His portfolio spans residential, commercial, and object-scale projects, each marked by thoughtful detailing and contextual sensitivity. Miri’s work contributes to a more human-centered design landscape, where spaces and objects are tailored to enrich everyday experiences. His ongoing exploration of form, tradition, and innovation positions him as a compelling voice in contemporary design.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Lighting Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Lighting
Aurum Versatile Lighting Fixture

Aurum Versatile Lighting Fixture

Lighting Design

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Interview with Seyedali Miri

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Although I come from a background in civil engineering and Architectural studies, I’ve always been fascinated by the way structures and objects shape our experiences. I was born and raised in Iran, and that rich cultural heritage has deeply influenced me. While working in hospitality industry in Oman, I became even more attuned to how design affects atmosphere, mood, and behavior. Design wasn’t something I chased ,it found me through my love for craftsmanship, storytelling, and human experience.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I currently operate independently, blending my work in hospitality management with my passion for design. While I don’t yet have a formal studio name, I approach each project like a design atelier—deeply intentional, collaborative, and rooted in purpose. My goal is to eventually create a multidisciplinary design space that merges heritage, hospitality, and innovation. There is a company in Oman ICD which they are helping for providing space or they have orders to be built.
What is "design" for you?
Design is the invisible language that connects people, place, and memory. It's where emotion meets logic where even a small object can create a deep impact. For me, design is about telling silent stories through form, material, and interaction.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love designing objects that are both intimate and transformative. Lighting is especially meaningful to me it can completely shift the mood of a space with elegance and subtlety. Coming from a hospitality background, I see how the smallest design details can deeply affect someone’s experience. I’m also drawn to modular designs, pieces that respond to changing human needs while carrying cultural depth.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Aurum is the closest to my heart. It began as a reflection on traditional oil lamps from my Iranian heritage and evolved into a modern modular lighting piece. The transformation between table and pendant lamp is seamless, requiring no tools. It captures everything I stand for respect for the past, functionality for the present, and elegance for the future.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The first piece I created professionally was a lighting fixture for a boutique hotel lobby. Working in hospitality, I knew firsthand how lighting affects mood and guest experience. That project sparked my obsession with light as both utility and poetry.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Technologically, I’m inspired by subtle LED integrations that don’t compete with the material but enhance it quietly. working on iPad would be good but always feel that my platform for first lines is a paper and pen!
When do you feel the most creative?
I feel most creative when I step away from routine, traveling, observing details in everyday life, or even listening to classical Persian music. Often, inspiration comes at night, when the world is quiet and ideas can breathe.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I focus most on how the design feels, its emotional tone and the quality of interaction it invites. I care about how it transforms, how it transitions between states, and how materials age and respond to light. Proportions, tactile feedback, and ease of use are central to my process. I want every piece to feel both intuitive and poetic.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
A blend of reverence, curiosity, and at times, tension. I feel connected to something older than me, yet completely present. Designing often feels like listening to a story that wants to be told.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Gratitude and quiet fulfillment. Seeing others engage with something I created, whether through light, space, or details, is a deeply human joy. It's like offering part of your soul to the world and watching it resonate.
What makes a design successful?
A design should feel inevitable, like it has always belonged. When it serves its purpose, evokes a feeling, and respects both material and user, I consider it successful.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I always look at the intention behind it first. Was the designer honest and thoughtful? Then I pay attention to how seamlessly form and function work together. I believe good design should feel inevitable, like it belongs, like it was meant to exist in exactly that way. Material choice and sensitivity to context are also key.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers are caretakers of culture and stewards of the future. We have the responsibility to minimize waste, honor craftsmanship, and design objects that age with dignity rather than fade with trends.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I believe we are shifting from excess to essence. The future of design is deeply human, it’s about adaptability, sustainability, and emotional resonance. Storytelling and cultural memory will become central pillars.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
I have my project Aurum exhibited on A Design Awards which I am thankful for all publishing and supports. for next step I would like to consider opportunities by mentioned platform. But if you mean in person exhibition I would like to be in Dubai or New York for that.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
inspired by historical artifacts, traditional crafts, architecture, and everyday rituals. Being Iranian, I carry centuries of culture within me, and living in Oman helps me slow down and observe details more deeply. I feed my creativity through silence, travel, and tactile experiences.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
My style is poetic minimalism. It’s quiet, deliberate, and emotionally rooted. I believe in doing more with less, letting form, material, and light speak without noise. My approach begins with understanding the cultural and emotional role of the object.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Oman but I’m originally from Iran. The heritage I carry is full of stories, symbolism, and craft. It’s a source of pride and influence. Living in Oman gives me peace and clarity, but access to niche materials or high-end manufacturing can sometimes be limited.
How do you work with companies?
I take time to understand their brand values and user needs. Whether through design or hospitality, I believe the best outcomes come from co-creation and trust.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Look for someone who listens more than they speak. Someone who asks the right questions before offering solutions. A good designer isn’t just creative, they’re empathetic, adaptive, and thoughtful.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
My process begins with a question. Then comes searching and reading, sketching, testing, exploring materials. I build physical prototypes and also simulate digitally. I let ideas breathe, returning with fresh eyes until it feels right.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
The Balcony Lamp which is reminding me shell, Living room lamp shade which made of glassy stand, candle holder which I made myself in pottery, craft L shape sofa and Persian carpet.
Can you describe a day in your life?
My mornings start with specialty hot coffee and sketching. Midday is spent either managing operations at the Plaza or finding new materials, correspondence. Evenings are for reading, reflection, and sometimes photography. Weekends are for creative deep work. every day doing an exciting sport has role in addition whenever I find a time happy to explore new designs.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Trust your voice, even when it’s quiet. Learn to edit, not everything needs to be loud. Study history. Honor where you come from, and let your roots grow into new directions.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The joy is creating things that live beyond you. The challenge is staying true to your values in a fast world. But if you keep designing from a place of honesty, the work will always feel worthwhile.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Empathy, attention to detail, historical awareness, storytelling, and the ability to work across disciplines, especially in today’s interconnected world.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I use iPad, physical models, and mood boards. Books on Persian art, eastern minimalism, and material science are always within reach. My iPad and notebooks travel with me everywhere.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Time is managed through rhythm. I dedicate undisturbed time blocks to creative work and reserve operational tasks for specific hours. Balance is key, rest is part of the design process too, it will let you to see your design clearly.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It varies. Aurum took several months, especially due to prototyping and testing locking mechanisms. Some ideas form fast, others need slow refinement. I never rush meaning.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
People often ask, “How did you think of this?” And the truth is, it’s less about thinking and more about observing, feeling, remembering.
What was your most important job experience?
Hospitality management in Middle East, in Oman and Iran gave me great experience that I can use it for the fuel to reach to the best function in design project by me. having the chance to work face to face with guest in hospitality industry specially in rich culture gives you so many opportunity to find best ideas to grow and design.
Who are some of your clients?
Currently, I focus on self-initiated projects and select collaborations. I hope to work with design-forward hospitality brands in the near future.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I love designing lighting and intimate furniture, things that quietly change how a space feels. Because I come from hospitality, I know the smallest details create the biggest impact.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I’m exploring a new collection inspired by nomadic architecture and its adaptability. I also plan to formalize my design practice and integrate it more closely with hospitality.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I develop the core ideas independently—through sketches, material studies, and prototypes. But I collaborate with engineers, craftsmen, and sometimes even hotel staff to refine execution.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Yes, I’m working on a lighting system that responds to natural light patterns in desert regions. It’s both an homage to ancient desert living and a nod to sustainable, location-sensitive design. I am thinking to attach this idea to be used widely in hospitality industry in the region.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
Thanks to all team members in A design that they are doing all the best for this platform.

Designer of the Day Interview with Seyedali Miri

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
Although my formal education began in civil engineering and later included architectural studies, my true journey as a designer started through lived experience. Working in hospitality in both Iran and Oman gave me direct insight into how spaces shape emotions. I have been independently designing with a focus on lighting and intimate environments for the past few years, especially those that evoke cultural memory and emotional connection. My work reflects a deep respect for craftsmanship and a continuous effort to merge tradition with modern functionality.
How did you become a designer?
Growing up in Iran, I was always fascinated by the beauty of everyday objects, especially those that carried stories, like traditional lamps, intricate tiles, and handcrafted furniture. That curiosity stayed with me as I pursued civil engineering, but it was during my time in the hospitality industry that I truly understood the emotional power of space and design. I transitioned into design organically, seeking to create pieces that not only serve a purpose but also speak to memory and identity. My background, coupled with deep inspiration from Persian and Omani cultures, shaped the designer I’ve become.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
My priorities are: Emotional resonance – I design for how it feels first, then how it functions.Then Cultural storytelling – My pieces often reference traditional forms and materials but reinterpret them for today. At the end; Modular function – I like adaptability and seamless transformation, as seen in my lighting designs. I begin with hand sketches and physical mock-ups before transitioning to digital modeling. I rely on both tactile exploration and iPad-based tools. I believe in letting ideas breathe before finalizing anything. My style leans toward poetic minimalism—quiet, layered, and intentional.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
There’s a deep sense of reverence when I design. I often feel like I’m rediscovering something forgotten rather than inventing from scratch. There’s also curiosity, a sense of wonder. I get completely immersed in the rhythm of designing, it’s meditative. Sometimes there’s tension, but it usually leads to clarity. The process is fulfilling in a soulful, human way.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
My background in civil engineering gave me a strong foundation in structural logic and proportion, while my experience in hospitality taught me empathy, understanding how design affects behavior and comfort. Growing up in Iran surrounded by rich heritage and symbolism helped shape my sensitivity to form and material. Living in Oman has deepened my appreciation for silence, subtlety, and cultural rootedness. All these aspects shaped a designer who values emotional impact and cultural relevance as much as visual form.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
My growth path has always followed curiosity and purpose. In the near future, I aim to expand my design practice into larger spatial and lighting systems inspired by nomadic architecture and sustainable materials. I also hope to collaborate with design-forward hospitality brands to bring storytelling into public experiences. My dream project would be creating a cultural space or a hotel that blends ancient rituals with modern design where light, space, and silence speak louder than ornament.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Trust your intuition. Listen more than you speak. Stay rooted in your identity but remain open to learning. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is that design is not about perfection, it’s about meaning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, test ideas, or change direction. Success is not a destination; it’s a practice. Always stay curious, kind, and patient with your growth.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Focus on depth, not just aesthetics. Always ask: “Why does this need to exist?” Design should serve, inspire, and endure. There’s always so much to learn don’t stop learning . Share your process, be generous with feedback, and never forget the human element in your work. Great design is never isolated, it’s a dialogue with time, culture, and need.
What is your day to day look like?
My day usually begins with a cup of coffee and quiet sketching. I then check correspondence and manage hospitality operations at the Plaza. Midday is often for sourcing materials or reviewing prototypes. Evenings are for reflection, journaling, or working on new ideas. I read design books or listen to Persian classical music to keep inspiration flowing. Weekends are reserved for deeper design work. Every day feels like a blend of purpose and exploration.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I observe trends, but I don’t follow them. I believe in timeless design over seasonal aesthetics. That said, I stay updated with material innovations, sustainability movements, and cultural shifts. My work is more about responding to human needs and emotions than reacting to fashion. A good design should still feel relevant decades later.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Good design feels inevitable as if it was always meant to be that way. It should evoke a quiet “yes” when experienced. I look for coherence between form and function, sensitivity to material, and emotional clarity. A well-designed piece is honest, meaningful, and respectful of context. It doesn’t shout, it whispers and stays with you.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I know a design is ready when I stop editing it in my mind. When every part feels purposeful and nothing feels forced. Sometimes, it takes multiple prototypes; sometimes, it arrives fully formed. I give designs space, let them rest, then revisit. If the idea still resonates after distance, it’s ready.
What is your biggest design work?
My lighting piece Aurum is my most meaningful work so far. It began as a reflection on traditional oil lamps from my Iranian heritage and evolved into a contemporary modular light. It bridges past and present, crafted from brass, alabaster, and smoked glass. What makes it special is the quiet elegance, adaptability, and emotional warmth it brings. It taught me the power of subtle storytelling through design.
Who is your favourite designer?
I don’t have a single favorite designer. I follow many designers from around the world, each offering something deeply personal and unique. What draws me in is not fame or style, but sincerity. I admire those who create with heart, designers who pour their soul into their work and allow emotion, culture, and purpose to guide their process. Whether emerging or established, I’m inspired by anyone who approaches design as an honest dialogue with the world around them.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I live in Muscat, Oman, but I’m originally from Iran. My lifestyle balances structured hospitality work with artistic freedom. I’m inspired by traditional rituals, classical music, and silence. My culture deeply informs my design, through symbolism, storytelling, and emotional nuance. I believe design is a living language, shaped by heritage and daily experience.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I approach design and business with intention and trust. I work independently but collaborate with craftsmen, engineers, and hospitality teams. My focus is on clarity, understanding what people truly need, then designing from that place. Whether in hospitality or design, I prioritize integrity, simplicity, and purpose. I value long-term relationships over fast results.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I believe design has a role in serving community needs. I often mentor young designers informally and contribute to conversations about sustainable design in the region. I’m also developing a lighting project that brings ambient, energy-efficient light systems to remote desert areas, merging aesthetics with accessibility. I try to stay engaged in projects that quietly uplift, rather than just impress. Specially I like attach them to hospitality industry for a better function.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Participating in the A’ Design Award has been a meaningful milestone. It provided visibility for Aurum, introduced me to a network of passionate creatives, and validated my commitment to storytelling through design. The feedback and exposure helped me grow both as a designer and as a thinker. Most importantly, it reaffirmed that quiet, thoughtful design still has a strong place in the world.

Extended Interview with Seyedali Miri

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
My background began in civil engineering, where I learned the importance of structure, balance, and technical precision. Later, I pursued architectural studies, which opened my perspective to form, light, and space. Working in hospitality across Iran and Oman taught me how design affects human emotions and experiences in real time. These combined paths shaped a personal approach to design that blends logic with intuition and tradition with innovation.
How did you become a designer?
I design because I feel deeply connected to the idea of creating something that can move people, even in subtle ways. I was drawn to how objects and spaces can carry emotion, tell stories, and offer comfort. Over time, I realized design is not just a profession for me, it’s a way of understanding the world and contributing something meaningful to it.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
It was a personal choice that felt more like a calling than a decision. Even during my time studying civil engineering, I was sketching ideas, observing materials, and paying attention to how spaces make people feel. My transition into design happened gradually but naturally, and it always felt like the right path for me.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design lighting pieces and objects that bring emotional warmth and calm to a space. I’m especially drawn to designs that combine function with memory, particularly those that reinterpret traditional forms in a modern context. In the future, I would love to design more immersive environments like boutique hotels or modular interiors that bring culture, light, and silence together in a thoughtful experience.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I would tell them to slow down and listen carefully, both to themselves and the world around them. Pay attention to feelings, memories, and context. Study your heritage, your environment, and your craft. True growth in design comes from honesty and patience, not from rushing to keep up with trends. Let your work reflect who you are and what you value.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer solves problems with skill and technique. A great designer does that while also creating something that resonates on a deeper, emotional level. Great designers think about how people live, feel, and remember. Their work often stays with you, not just because it works, but because it feels meaningful.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A really good design feels natural, like it always belonged in that space or context. It serves its purpose clearly, respects the material it’s made from, and carries emotional depth. I evaluate good design by how effortlessly it fits into life, how it makes someone feel, and how long it stays relevant without needing to be loud or trendy.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design improves everyday life. It creates comfort, clarity, and connection. Whether in a home, a public space, or an object we use daily, good design brings calm and coherence. Investing in it means investing in people’s well-being, in beauty that lasts, and in stories that can be shared across generations.
What is your day to day look like?
If time allowed, I would love to design a retreat in the desert, shaped by light, silence, and cultural memory. It would be a place where people reconnect with stillness and themselves, through architecture that listens to its surroundings. I would design it for anyone looking to step out of speed and into presence.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
One dream project I hope to create is a hospitality space inspired by nomadic traditions. A place that feels rooted in history but completely flexible in form. It would feature modular designs, natural materials, and spaces meant for pause, reflection, and connection. The idea is ready in my mind, I’m waiting for the right time to bring it to life.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
If I had to name one thing, it would be listening. I listen to the material, to the function, to emotion, and to silence. I try to design without ego, and instead focus on what the piece wants to say. I also allow time to guide the process. I don’t rush design. I let it evolve, reflect, and settle until it feels honest.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I get inspired by designers who work from a place of sincerity and emotion, regardless of their fame or discipline. I admire creators who blend cultural narrative with functional beauty, and who bring sensitivity to the process. What inspires me most is not a name, but a spirit of authenticity and care.
What is your biggest design work?
I’m drawn to designs that are quiet, poetic, and rooted in meaning. Whether it’s a simple object or a full space, I appreciate work that respects material and doesn’t scream for attention. I like designs that age gracefully, that carry emotional tone and cultural texture. When a piece feels like a memory, I know it was made with heart.
Who is your favourite designer?
My lighting piece called Aurum is the one I feel closest to. It was born from a reflection on traditional oil lamps from my heritage and transformed into a modern modular light. What makes it meaningful to me is its balance between simplicity and depth, tradition and adaptability. It doesn’t demand attention, but it quietly shifts the atmosphere of a space.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I believe improvement comes from observation. I pay close attention to everyday rituals, objects, and how people respond to their surroundings. I also stay connected to my roots and let culture inform my decisions. I sketch regularly, write down ideas, and revisit them often. Staying consistent, curious, and humble has helped me evolve as a designer.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I think I would still be doing something connected to people, space, and emotion. Possibly writing, or working in cultural preservation. But even if I had followed another path, design would have found its way back into my life. It’s not just what I do, it’s how I see the world.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is the invisible thread that connects form to feeling. It’s how we shape our surroundings, and in return, how they shape us. For me, design is a language made of light, proportion, silence, and memory. It’s not just about what something looks like, it’s about how it lives with people.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
There were people along the way who believed in my vision, even when it wasn’t fully formed. Friends, mentors, and collaborators who trusted the process. But perhaps the biggest supporter was the quiet inner voice that kept me grounded, especially in times of doubt. That sense of purpose has always been a steady guide.

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