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 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.

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.

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.

Great photos, analysis, examples, wonderful resource, helpful appendix… most inspiring with insight, ideal for designers to the retired. Makes me want to dig out a ruler and pen and have a go.

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.