Islamic Geometric Design

I have 11 books specifically on Islamic geometric design on my shelf excluding this one. The others fall into 3 categories: catalogues of designs with little descriptive text (e.g. Bourgoin "Arabic Geometrical Pattern and Design"), attempts to impose spiritual and religious meaning on to the designs (e.g. Critchlow "Islamic Patterns: An analytical and Cosmological approach"), and analyses that attempt an academic analyses of the different patterns (e.g. Abas & Salman "Symmetries of Islamic Geometrical Patterns"). Although these books contain many beautiful patterns, they contain little text that is either useful or readable (he only exception is Broug's other book "Islamic Geometric Patterns"). It is therefore with great delight that I can wholeheartedly recommend this book which is well written, engrossing, encyclopaedic and beautifully illustrated. Instead of trying to impose some religious or artistic "meaning" on the patterns, Broug simply describes how, when and where the patterns were developed. He understands the construction of these designs intimately ("for the first ten years of my studies of this topic, I only ever worked with a pair of compasses and a ruler"), and attempts to pass that knowledge on. It is a great resource book for crafts people, and the only book that you will need on how to design Islamic patterns. It is not, however, an encyclopaedia of patterns, and would be best used in conjunction with one such as the Bourgoin book.

A beautifully illustrated book. This book is well written with historical details outlining the crafmanship of the geometric designs in the various regions. Not only are there stunning images of Islamic designs but there are illustrated breakdown of each design which really helps in understanding the construction of these designs. At the end of the book there is an appendix which give details on how to create designs using a pair of compasses, a ruler and pencils. Its a great way to learn and to fully understand the craftsmanship in creating these beautiful designs.

Broug writes in the introduction "Geometric design is one of the most widely recognized visual traditions from the Islamic world, yet much is still unknown how compositions were made and about the craftsmen who made them. The purpose of this book is to show the beauty of Islamic geometric compositions and to explore the design processes that created them." Broug fulfills admirably the purpose of his book. Beautifully illustrated with very helpful analysis and deconstructions of Islamic geometric designs - from the most simple to the most complex.

A masterful book on the craftsmanship rather than the the esoterics(for that see Keith Critchlow) and for that it is all the better.Beautifully illustrated and lucidly written by someone who obviously has a passion for the subject and spent his life unpicking and understanding the methods used to create this very distinct and mesmerising school of art.A large book indeed,but the format is entirely justified.A book to take your time over,and immerse yourself in.The appendix on the constructions is an absolute delight in lucidity.Will be the reference for years to come.Thanks Eric.

This book is a wonderful piece of work; it's magnificently illustrated and very well written. An absolute joy to have.

This is a wonderful book. I have already spent hours with it. It is very clear, useful, historically accurate, and artistically satisfying. Unfortunately it was not packed properly and the cover arrived damaged, which is not the fault of the book or the author.

Absolutely love this book, its informative, with historical sources. Step by step instructions allow for a thorough understanding of the geometric patterns, if you are someone who loves Islamic architecture and wants to know how it was all done, than you will appreciate this piece of work by Eric Broug. I have taken his online course and also have his first book, both very useful to building your understanding of Islamic art.

I really liked this book, the author is very passionate about the subject of Islamic geometry and this is reflected in his work . apart from the teaching of geometrical designs you will enjoy the graphics and the history .it's really worth the price

This book was shipped sealed in plastic well-- it was a waterproof unit. Further, it was packed with airbags to be well-protected. Very impressed with the shipment, since too many items are sent in a box without packing material. Any hardback book should be sent carefully to avoid damages to the dustcover and corners. The book itself is a wonderful survey of patterns and designs, especially in architecture. The diversity and scope of its coverage, especially in a geographical sense, is just phenomenal. I have borrowed it enough times from my public library that I already knew its incredible value. A goodly number of the designs I had only seen hand-drawn, so the current photographs are a joy to observe the proper proportions and symmetry in details and the overall treatments. It was a pleasure to find it available at a fantastic price (used, but like new). As said in the heading, it feels like a special gift from me to me. Definitely worth all five stars! Be well. Be safe.

I was always fascinated by Islamic architecture with the circular domes, minarets and specially the geometric designs on the interior/exterior walls, windows and screens. My recent trips to Istanbul, Granada and New Delhi really sparked my interests in the unique and complex geometric patterns and this book provides an excellent background and history of the geo-patterns which are found in Islamic art all over the world.

Sono veramente contenta di aver scelto questo testo per la qualità dei disegni e l'approfondimento che c'è dietro ognuno di essi. Ovviamente è un libro per chi è interessato a questo tipo di studio. Penso che sia il più completo in circolazione.

Full of beautiful patterns to inspire but for me the best part of the book were clear visual instructions for creating the patterns with a compass and straight edge which provided many hours of enjoyment.

Sehr gutes Buch, passt perfekt in unsere Sammlung.