Visual Dhikr™
returning to remembrance

Due to high demand, Islamic Design House, the leading online store for Islamic fashion, arts and decor has not only branched out into Nigeria last year, but just launched in the Middle East with Egypt being the first in a long list of countries. Supplying original Muslim brands such as Silk Route, Aerosol Arabic, Cute Culture and Visual Dhikr.

http://www.islamicdesignhouse.com/egypt

'My name is Elisabeth Kvernen, and I am a graphic designer. I created Calligraphy Qalam for my Masters of Fine Arts thesis project.

My husband and I began studying Arabic in 2004, and I became fascinated with calligraphy. We lived in Damascus, Syria from 2005 to 2006, and during that time I studied calligraphy (the Ruq’a script) with a Syrian artist. Fall of 2006 I enrolled in the University of Baltimore’s Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Design program. The required thesis project gave me the chance to further explore my interest in Arabic script calligraphy, which resulted in this website.

On this website you'll find a variety of interactive tools and information to help you learn more about calligraphy in the Arab, Ottoman and Persian traditions...'

http://calligraphyqalam.com/

- great new site, beautifuly made.

'What is different about graphic design in Iran from what is known in western countries that we label it with the distinguishing term "Iranian"?

The most distinct features of Iranian graphic design come from the use of a different writing system, and therefore a different typography. After the advent of Islam the art of calligraphy, both in Islamic and Iranian cultures, was considered one of the most important art forms. Although the Persian writing system is closely related to the Arabic, its function in Iranian calligraphy has developed on a completely different basis since the 17th century AD.

Down the ages, Iranian thinkers have chosen literature, especially poetry, as the best means of expressing their thoughts and emotions, and have produced a wonderfully rich body of literature. In penning these works with extraordinary rigor and adeptness, Iranian calligraphers have refined the art of calligraphy, step by step, and in aspiring towards perfection, they have endowed their art with originality.

In a sense, this process can still be observed in the typographical works of contemporary graphic designers. This brilliant calligraphic background in Iranian arts enabled the New Generation of Iranian graphic designers to present a new and different typographical attitude to the world. An attitude that is drawing its originality and identity from the golden age of Iranian calligraphy with a fresh and contemporary approach.'

taken from http://www.typography.ir/

Check out the works of some of the leading Iranian graphic designers.