Mir Emad, a distinguished calligrapher of the 16th century, is perhaps the first Iranian graphic designer who was intensely interested in typographical design. His bold and innovative designs have not yet been fully investigated, and their immense potential for creating modern typeface is just on the verge revolutionizing the Iranian typographical design. 

It is believed that the Nastaliq style reached its highest elegance in Mir Emad's works which are amongst the finest specimens of Nastaliq calligraphy and are kept in several museums in the world.

Moreover, the Mir Emad Calligraphy Museum in Tehran houses some of his works as well as samples of Iranian calligraphy from different periods.

Born Emad al-Molk Qazvini Hasani in 1554 in Qazvin, he is perhaps the most renowned Persian calligrapher. His masterpieces of Nastaliq style have reached the zenith of elegance, balance, and harmony and are part of the collections in a number museums in the world.

Mir Emad lived most of his 61 years of life in the Safavid court, where his family held the royal librarian and accountant positions. His early education was at Qazvin, and he was trained under the algae of Isa Rangkar in calligraphy. Later he joined the calligraphy studio of Malek Deylami, a master calligrapher. Soon his work was surpassing his master's, and on the advice of Deylami Mir Emad traveled to Tabriz to study and work at the studio of Mohammad Hossein Tabrizi. 

He traveled to Ottoman Turkey, Baghdad, Halab and Hijaz, before starting his career at Semnan as a scribe in Shah Abbas's library. However, the quality and vigor of his calligraphy was noticed and soon he was invited to the court at the capital city of Isfahan, where he joined Shah 'Abbas’s Royal Library in 1599. He was a true rival for the great master calligrapher at the court Ali Reza Abbasi Tabrizi, who was also trained at the studio of Mohammad Hossein Tabrizi. He eventually fell foul of the shah, either because of his arrogance, or his rivalry with Shah 'Abbas’s preferred calligrapher, 'Ali Riza 'Abbasi. He was assassinated on 15 August 1615.

Mir Emad is considered today to be the greatest master of Nastaliq calligraphy or hanging script, and is renowned for the elegance of his long strokes and the consistency of his letter forms.