Online Illustration student sees her reportage art shared in nine languages by the BBC
22 April 2026
“When people don’t have a voice or strong access to media, it becomes the responsibility of journalists and illustrators to recreate their reality and share it with audiences in other countries,” says current BA(Hons) Illustration (Online) student Faren Taghizadeh.
After growing up in Tehran, Iran, Faren moved to the UK to work as a journalist for BBC Persian, a role that heavily relies on UGC (user-generated content). “BBC Persian journalists are under pressure from the Iranian regime and cannot go there,” Faren shared. “As anything that comes out of the country is precious, being a journalist without physical access to audiences means we rely on user-generated content, which can range from a single photo to a short eyewitness account.
“In these conditions, journalists often don’t have enough visual material to tell stories and instead rely on reportage illustration and graphic design to recreate the atmosphere.
“Meanwhile, during the war between Israel, America, and Iran, I received the story of a single mother and her fear during an airstrike. This was not just one mother’s story—many people share the same fear.”
The story Faren received inspired her to create her illustrative series, A Mother's Fears Amid Tehran Air Strikes, a selection of illustrations that has gone on to be published by the BBC in nine languages across Instagram. “I wanted to visualise fear and show audiences what life really feels like under airstrikes,” Faren said. “War news doesn’t only come from politicians—people’s lives are deeply affected. From internet blackouts that separate families across countries and create anxiety, to the sound of fighter jets flying very close to buildings in Tehran—residents live with constant fear and uncertainty. People don’t know what will happen next—whether they will be targeted or if something will strike nearby.
“When I pitched my idea, BBC Persian liked it and decided to publish it. The BBC Global Women Instagram account was also interested in publishing it, and they offered it to other language services too. They kept the original post format and simply translated the text into their own languages.”
Alongside working for BBC Persian, Faren is also studying on Falmouth’s BA(Hons) Illustration (Online) course. “The illustrative series I shared was part of my coursework,” Faren shared. “We were exploring identity; what it means and how we can express it.
“From the beginning of the course, the news started to affect me more deeply. There was a major crackdown in Iran over two days in January, during which many protesters were killed by the Iranian regime. As human beings, regardless of our profession, this kind of news can impact our mental health. As a journalist with an Iranian background, I felt as though my identity is closely tied to Iran and to what happens to Iranian people and our audiences. In my work for the course, I reflected on my identity and translated my thoughts into creative form on the page.”
When asked how she has found her time on the course, Faren confided that studying illustration had been one of her dreams for years. “I couldn’t find the right course that fit in with my full-time job and lifestyle until I discovered Falmouth’s part-time online illustration course. It was exactly what I was looking for.
“It has also helped my career. Now I can tell more stories—especially those without photographic material—and present them in a way that connects with younger audiences.”
Faren added: “Exploring creativity helps me connect with people and draw them in to listen to my voice. Especially when I want to communicate something meaningful through my art.”
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