Hi, I’m Elnaz. I am an illustrator, community engager, and visual thinker with a background in graphic design and fine art. I create editorial and conceptual illustrations, characters, designs, and children’s book illustrations.
My work connects creativity, research, and teaching, often exploring feminine subjects and themes of gender, identity, and social awareness. I teach illustration and animation courses at Ball State University in Indiana, where I collaborate across disciplines on projects involving book design, animation, and visual storytelling, combining artistic expression with research and community engagement.
I earned my MFA in Integrated Visual Arts from Iowa State University, and my practice continues to link art, people, and ideas through meaningful collaboration.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
2022 WIA, Women in Animation
2022 SCBWI, The Global Community for Children's Book Creators
2022 SCBWI, The Global Community for Children's Book Creators
Awards
2025 Merit Award, Art on Climate, International Illustration Competition
2025 Art Maker Magazine: Contemporary Illustration Around the World
2025 Research Excellence Award, Iowa State University
2024 Student in Creativity Merit Award, Iowa State University
Exhibition
2025 Feminist Responses in Tumultuous Times at the Koehnline Museum of Art
2025 National Stereoscopic Association Photography, St Paul, Minneapolis
2025 Art Through the Lens 2025
2024 Artist in Creativity, Memorial Union, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
2024 University of Mississippi National Juried Show, Art & Art History Department
University
2024 Art-Collide's "Open Theme”, Online Exhibition
2024 Iowa State University MFA Exhibition, Octagon Center of Art, Ames, Iowa.
2023 MFA Exhibition, Gallery 181, Department of Art and Visual Culture, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
2022 MFA Exhibition, Gallery 181, Department of Art and Visual Culture, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
2020 Group Student Advance Illustration Show, Inverse School, Tehran, Iran.
2019 Tehran Locals Art Festival, Day After Tomorrow, Hoor Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
2017 Participant, Tasivr Festival Competition, Dreams, Tehran, Iran.
2017 Tehran Poster Design, an Annual Festival, Water is Life, Tehran, Iran,
2016 Group Illustration, Hands’ Story, Hoor Gallery, Tehran, Iran.
2015 FAJR Illustration Festival, My country, Tehran, Iran.
2014 Group Undergrad Photography Exhibition, Rhythm, and Color, Negarkhaneh, Tehran, University of Fine Arts, Tehran, Iran.
2013 BFA Exhibition, Negarkhaneh, Tehran, University of Fine Arts, Tehran, Iran.