Discovering new information about Rustam Mustafayev, the pioneer of Azerbaijani graphic design, always brings me joy. For example, I recently found his logo and poster designs from the 1920s.

Rustam Mustafayev (1910–1940) was one of the key representatives of modernist and constructivist trends in Azerbaijani art. Although he is primarily known as a theater artist, his contributions to graphic design are particularly significant. His work is characterized by geometric abstraction, unique color solutions, and dynamic compositions. A synthesis of Western constructivism and local cultural elements is clearly evident in his designs. To be honest, I was surprised by the Arabic-script calligraphy in his 1920s works, as by 1930, his style had completely abandoned Eastern motifs. The logos and posters he created for the Baku Turkish Workers’ Theater (BTIT), where he started working in 1926, can be considered pioneering examples of design from that period and are among the most valuable pieces in his portfolio.

Mustafayev’s graphic style is distinguished by sharp contrasts, asymmetric compositions, and functional typography. In his early works, he successfully merged traditional Arabic script with modernist design principles, creating a new visual language. For him, theater posters were not just carriers of information but also artistic expressions. In general, his works showcase numerous visual experiments.

Had he not passed away at a young age (30), his creativity would have had an even greater impact on the development of Azerbaijani graphic design. While Azim Azimzade is considered the author of Azerbaijan’s first graphic design works, Mustafayev had a better grasp of modern graphic design. Unfortunately, I discovered his 1920s works too late, so they were not included in the book History of Azerbaijani Graphic Design (1875–1990). However, I will definitely include them in the reprint.

To obtain the book History of Azerbaijani Graphic Design (1875–1990) (Part I),

Excerpt from Rasul Hasan’s post