Raman Djafari

Illustrator

©Mika Elias Mueller

©LindaHanses

©Mika Elias Mueller

Emotive landscape and confounding scenes

It is Raman's specialty to mix 2D and 3D illustrations
Physical sensitivity and gentleness define his characters
Elton John and Dua Lipa's Cold Heart music video was created by him

Raman Djafari's colour palettes, surreal illustrations, and narratives instantly capture the viewer's attention. His illustrations and animations depict landscapes populated by bizarrely shaped people created by his seemingly limitless imagination. Physical sensitivity and emotional tenderness often inspire him when developing his characters. The body silhouettes used in Raman's work often seem to blend in with the surrounding. Another strength of his work is his ability to combine elements of 2D and 3D. As a child, Raman used to paint creatures, objects, and places that he neatly organised into folders under different worlds. This creative and structured approach allows him to collaborate with international teams on award-winning animation and music videos, in addition to working as an illustrator.

Interview

©Mika Elias Mueller

Where do you find inspiration?: I am especially inspired by interpersonal interaction, especially forms of tender emotional affection expressed through facial expressions and gestures. It is not just for my characters that I draw inspiration from this – I often imagine rooms and landscapes as mirrors of inner emotional experiences.
What story are you trying to tell with your illustrations?: I hope to become a little wiser through my creativity. Through images and animation, I hope to convey my understanding of the beauty and mystery of the world, the poetry of the seemingly insignificant, the rush of human interaction, and the highs and lows of life.
How did the collaboration on Elton John's music video happen?: In 2020, I was invited to pitch a variety of exciting projects by London-based animation production company BlinkInk. I initially rejected it twice, thinking other good directors would submit their concepts as well. However, after returning from vacation, I submitted the concept to Dua Lipa and Elton John. Both directors loved it.
Is there a particularly memorable professional experience you could share?: As soon as the video for Cold Heart by Elton John and Dua Lipa was released, it felt like the song was playing at every gym and gas station. One day, I received an email from a dad living in one of the southern states of America telling me that his children were watching my video every day and imagining themselves as the characters that I had created. That was an amazing experience for me.

Raman Djafari is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2014