Ruben Malayan is an Armenian artist, calligrapher, and educator renowned for his impactful contributions to Armenian calligraphy and visual arts. He has been instrumental in revitalizing and promoting the rich tradition of Armenian script, reimagining it as a contemporary art form while safeguarding its historical and cultural essence. His graphic design career spans over 25 years, extending into visual identity, typography and calligraphy.
Ruben is also recognized for his work in social activism. In 2001 he founded "Armenian Genocide in Contemporary Graphic & Art Posters" project, contributed protest art during 2018 "Revolution" and the Second Artsakh War, reflecting his commitment to the defense of justice & human rights through the means of visual media.
Over the years he has taught academic drawing, graphic design and calligraphy in the United States, Canada, Italy, Russia, Poland, Romania, and Armenia. His works have been published in books and magazines globally, showcasing his influence and dedication to both art and education. In 2018 he joined the faculty of the American University of Armenia in Yerevan, where is currently teaching two courses in CHSS (E&C program).
Education
• State Art College, Yerevan, Armenia - BA, painting (1986-1990)
• State Institute of Fine Arts, Yerevan, Armenia - MFA, graphics (1990-1993)
Education
• State Art College, Yerevan, Armenia - BA, painting (1986-1990)
• State Institute of Fine Arts, Yerevan, Armenia - MFA, graphics (1990-1993)
Teaching Experience
• 2018-current: American University of Armenia / CHSS / English & Communications Program / Adjunct Lecturer - Visual Communication / Myth & Visual Arts (15 week courses)
• 2016-2021: Terlemezyan State College of Fine Arts - Academic Drawing Instructor
• 2015-2017: Lecturer on Motion Design, Typography and Post Production at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies (Yerevan, Armenia)
• 2013: Teaching a course on 'Creative Advertising' at Russian-Armenian State University, Department of Advertising and PR, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2012: Development of a study curriculum in graphic design, animation and film studies for TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Yerevan, Armenia
Recent Publications
• 2024 PrintLovers Magazine, Milan, Italy
• 2024 Slanted Special Issue Georgia/Armenia, Munich, Germany
• 2023 Alphabet, Friends of Calligraphy, SF, USA
• 2021 Ulsan Festival International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 Oesol Hangeul International Typography Poster Exhibition catalogue, South Korea
• 2019 "The Dark Chain of History”, The New York Times International Edition April 24th.
• 2019 “Revival and Evolution” on AutumnSalon
• 2019 ARTE Germany Interview
• 2019 “Armenia’s Velvet Revolution: Ruben Malayan’s Posters of Protest and Hope” TruthDig
• 2018 “Writing Is Memory” Smithsonian, Washington DC
• 2018 “Why Writing The Word 'Freedom' Is More Powerful Than Typing” on NPR
• 2018 “Visual Art and the Revolution” on EVN Report
• 2018 KSBDA Winter International Conference Exhibition catalogue, South Korea
• 2015 Cities of Peace - Ellen Frank Illumination Arts Foundation
• 2015 '99' publication on Armenian Genocide by PanArmenian.net
Public Lectures & Workshops
• 2024 Festival Eastern European Design, Warsaw, Poland
• 2024 ReInvent by Renderforest, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2023 University of Luxembourg
• 2023 The Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia (Symbols of a Nation)
• 2022 Granshan International Conference, "Signs of the times”, Munich, Germany
• 2021 Ulsan International Typography Festival
• 2021 Renderforest digital conference, dedicated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Armenia
• 2021 Rambalkoshe Modern Art Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2021 Art of Calligraphy at Time of Revolution & War - Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem (in Hebrew)
• 2021 KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation at COAF, Lori, Armenia
• 2019 Armenia Art Fair
• 2018 TedEx AUA
• 2018 Hrant Dink Foundation - “Armenian Calligraphy: Past, present and future”, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2018 Dessaran Festival - “Armenian Calligraphy: Past, present and future”, Padova, Venice, Italy
• 2018 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Washington DC
• 2017 American University of Armenia – Lecture on Armenian Calligraphy and Script Development
• 2017 Granshan International Conference on Non-Latin Type
• 2017 “I'am here”, Museum of Fashion, Moscow, Russia
• 2015 Fundacja Sztuka Kaligrafii Krakow, Poland & Yerevan, Armenia
• 2015 Festivalul Strada Armeneasca, Bucharest, Romania
• 2015 Rise of Culture International Art'n'Music Festival / Lublin, Poland
• 2015 Hartak Festival, Yerevan
Solo & Group Exhibitions
• 2024 Type from the East, Typogram.Studio, Warsaw, Poland
• 2023 Utopia & Paradox, Jiotto Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2022 900 Years of Tbilisi Capital of Georgia exhibition, Georgian Calligraphers Association
• 2021 EVN Magazine at Rambalkoshe Modern Art Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2021 East Sea International Art Pre-Biennale, South Korea
• 2021 Ulsan Festival International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 Ulsan Oesol Hangeul Hanmadang International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 ‘We Are’ Collective group exhibition of poster art for Second Artsakh War relief
• 2019 The Art of Armenian Calligraphy, ExModern Contemporary Art at Holiday Inn Express
• 2018 KSBDA Winter International Conference Exhibition, South Korea
• 2018 Armenian Revolution Posters - AOKS, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2017 Fabricaffiti Street Art Exhibition, Tbilisi, Georgia
• 2015 ANKAPital at HAYP Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2015 "Evil: The Matter of Intent”, Hebrew Union College Museum, NYC
• 2014 TypoLyrics exhibition by Granshan International Typography competition
• 2009 Exhibition of Armenian Calligraphy at “5” Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel
• 2004 Flow Galeria, Canada (online)
• 2018-current: American University of Armenia / CHSS / English & Communications Program / Adjunct Lecturer - Visual Communication / Myth & Visual Arts (15 week courses)
• 2016-2021: Terlemezyan State College of Fine Arts - Academic Drawing Instructor
• 2015-2017: Lecturer on Motion Design, Typography and Post Production at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies (Yerevan, Armenia)
• 2013: Teaching a course on 'Creative Advertising' at Russian-Armenian State University, Department of Advertising and PR, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2012: Development of a study curriculum in graphic design, animation and film studies for TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, Yerevan, Armenia
Recent Publications
• 2024 PrintLovers Magazine, Milan, Italy
• 2024 Slanted Special Issue Georgia/Armenia, Munich, Germany
• 2023 Alphabet, Friends of Calligraphy, SF, USA
• 2021 Ulsan Festival International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 Oesol Hangeul International Typography Poster Exhibition catalogue, South Korea
• 2019 "The Dark Chain of History”, The New York Times International Edition April 24th.
• 2019 “Revival and Evolution” on AutumnSalon
• 2019 ARTE Germany Interview
• 2019 “Armenia’s Velvet Revolution: Ruben Malayan’s Posters of Protest and Hope” TruthDig
• 2018 “Writing Is Memory” Smithsonian, Washington DC
• 2018 “Why Writing The Word 'Freedom' Is More Powerful Than Typing” on NPR
• 2018 “Visual Art and the Revolution” on EVN Report
• 2018 KSBDA Winter International Conference Exhibition catalogue, South Korea
• 2015 Cities of Peace - Ellen Frank Illumination Arts Foundation
• 2015 '99' publication on Armenian Genocide by PanArmenian.net
Public Lectures & Workshops
• 2024 Festival Eastern European Design, Warsaw, Poland
• 2024 ReInvent by Renderforest, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2023 University of Luxembourg
• 2023 The Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia (Symbols of a Nation)
• 2022 Granshan International Conference, "Signs of the times”, Munich, Germany
• 2021 Ulsan International Typography Festival
• 2021 Renderforest digital conference, dedicated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Armenia
• 2021 Rambalkoshe Modern Art Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2021 Art of Calligraphy at Time of Revolution & War - Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem (in Hebrew)
• 2021 KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation at COAF, Lori, Armenia
• 2019 Armenia Art Fair
• 2018 TedEx AUA
• 2018 Hrant Dink Foundation - “Armenian Calligraphy: Past, present and future”, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2018 Dessaran Festival - “Armenian Calligraphy: Past, present and future”, Padova, Venice, Italy
• 2018 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Washington DC
• 2017 American University of Armenia – Lecture on Armenian Calligraphy and Script Development
• 2017 Granshan International Conference on Non-Latin Type
• 2017 “I'am here”, Museum of Fashion, Moscow, Russia
• 2015 Fundacja Sztuka Kaligrafii Krakow, Poland & Yerevan, Armenia
• 2015 Festivalul Strada Armeneasca, Bucharest, Romania
• 2015 Rise of Culture International Art'n'Music Festival / Lublin, Poland
• 2015 Hartak Festival, Yerevan
Solo & Group Exhibitions
• 2024 Type from the East, Typogram.Studio, Warsaw, Poland
• 2023 Utopia & Paradox, Jiotto Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2022 900 Years of Tbilisi Capital of Georgia exhibition, Georgian Calligraphers Association
• 2021 EVN Magazine at Rambalkoshe Modern Art Museum, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2021 East Sea International Art Pre-Biennale, South Korea
• 2021 Ulsan Festival International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 Ulsan Oesol Hangeul Hanmadang International Typography Poster Exhibition, South Korea
• 2020 ‘We Are’ Collective group exhibition of poster art for Second Artsakh War relief
• 2019 The Art of Armenian Calligraphy, ExModern Contemporary Art at Holiday Inn Express
• 2018 KSBDA Winter International Conference Exhibition, South Korea
• 2018 Armenian Revolution Posters - AOKS, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2017 Fabricaffiti Street Art Exhibition, Tbilisi, Georgia
• 2015 ANKAPital at HAYP Gallery, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2015 "Evil: The Matter of Intent”, Hebrew Union College Museum, NYC
• 2014 TypoLyrics exhibition by Granshan International Typography competition
• 2009 Exhibition of Armenian Calligraphy at “5” Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel
• 2004 Flow Galeria, Canada (online)
Collections- Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC
Awards/Honors
• 2015 Best Digital Entry at Centennial Art Contest of LA City Council
• 1999 UNDP Armenia Internet Project
Jury Member
• 2017-present Granshan “Living Letters” global conference on non-latin type – Armenian typefaces
• 2015-2016 ReAnimania 7th International Animation Film and Comics Art Festival of Yerevan
• 2015 Granshan Type Design Competition- Armenian typefaces
• 2011 “One Shot” International Short Film Festival, NPAK, Yerevan
2019 Artist Residency at Creative Armenia, Brussels, Belgium
Calligraphy Performances
• 2020 C.O.S.M.S Festival, Kitchen Records, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2017 Granshan International Conference on Non-Latin Type / Lecture and Calligraphy performance with Timothy Donaldson (UK)
• 2015 Best Digital Entry at Centennial Art Contest of LA City Council
• 1999 UNDP Armenia Internet Project
Jury Member
• 2017-present Granshan “Living Letters” global conference on non-latin type – Armenian typefaces
• 2015-2016 ReAnimania 7th International Animation Film and Comics Art Festival of Yerevan
• 2015 Granshan Type Design Competition- Armenian typefaces
• 2011 “One Shot” International Short Film Festival, NPAK, Yerevan
2019 Artist Residency at Creative Armenia, Brussels, Belgium
Calligraphy Performances
• 2020 C.O.S.M.S Festival, Kitchen Records, Yerevan, Armenia
• 2017 Granshan International Conference on Non-Latin Type / Lecture and Calligraphy performance with Timothy Donaldson (UK)
Calligraphy & Typography - www.ArmenianCalligraphy.com
Ruben Malayan
email: 15levels@gmail.com
phone: +3747772622 (also on WhatsApp & Telegram)