Islamic Design: A Genius for Geometry

Throughout their long history the craft traditions of the Islamic world evolved a multitude of styles applied to a great variety of media but always with unifying factors that make them instantly recognizable. Harmony is central. There are two key aspects to the visual structure of Islamic design, calligraphy using Arabic script-one of the world's great calligraphic traditions-and abstract ornamentation using a varied but remarkably integrated visual language. This art of pure ornament revolves around two central themes; crystalline geometric patterns, the harmonic and symmetrical subdivision of the plane giving rise to intricately interwoven designs that speak of infinity and the omnipresent center; and idealized plant form, spiraling tendrils, leaves, buds and flowers embodying organic life and rhythm.

1. WIDE APPEAL: Anyone interested in science, mathematics, design, architecture, and the natural world.

2. AUTHORITATIVE: A compelling blend of scholarship and visual presentation, packs an enormous amount of information into a short space.

3. BEAUTIFUL PACKAGE: A bargain at $10.00. Winner of First Prize for Nonfiction at the New York Book Show

4. SERIES PURPOSE: All are aimed at bringing ancient wisdom forward into the 21st century.

5. INSPIRING: The perfect entrée into a challenging topic; will inspire other reading.

Daud Sutton is Director of the Thesaurus Islamicus Foundation's design studio Editio Electrum, specializing in the fire reproduction of carpet pages from ancient manuscripts.