The biological, physical, and visual aspects of the environment influence life philosophy, culture, society, tradition, and creativity development. However, the potential of environmental resources such as plants that can contribute to design production has not been examined adequately and analyzed systematically. There is much exploration on linking the design process and idea with the Islamic principles embedded in the Islamic spirituality. The study highlights the potential to interpret design works based on the internal process of human creativity. The link to the spiritual values originated from the Light of the Creator, God has been made evident in the creative process. The findings provide a process of linking the external and internal processes of design exemplified by an analysis of nature as the source of ideas thus increasing the value and content of Islamic discovery.
One of the most amazing God’s creations in nature and its growth. It is important to examine the way humans observed nature in design and create systems in the creative design process. There is a need to study nature at all levels – from the function and form of biological molecules to the structure and process of tissues and organs, to the behavior and gross anatomy of entire organisms, to complex interrelations between the numerous species of an ecosystem. In this regard, innovations in design through a transformation based on the fundamental study of transformation principles have informed the significance of new and original designed products with enhanced function. Design concept inspired by nature resource provides us with combinations of shapes and colors and textures. It is possible to incorporate these basic images into our design.
Through symbol design that integrates the concept of Islamic spirituality, the stability, harmony, and prosperity of life could be felt and valued in accordance with the understanding and practice of the Holy Qur’an, the hadith, and the spirit of Asma’ul Hus’na (God’s Beautiful Names). The core idea of natural growth and Islamic spirituality concept is a science that studies nature’s ideas and then regenerates these designs and processes to solve human problems, with the understanding of Islamic principles. Since the beginning of life, human thinking has been developed by natural elements and resources. In addition, the influence of the shape and character of plants have been incorporated into the development of human life and social behavior. However, the process requires an understanding of the definition of the concept of transformation by changes in applications and technology and the production process. Apart from the influence of culture and traditions, images of plants also serve as a symbolic element to show the meaning that could be applied in various design patterns for building, the traditional pattern for textiles, tiles, and the transformation process of creation of Islamic symbols in the context of cosmology. The problem relates to the inability of designers to translate the forms and shapes of nature-based on an understanding of Islamic principles thus the products designed have devoid of spiritual meanings. This is evident in the end products of nature-based such as traditional motifs using plants and geometric patterns that are repeatedly used in various contexts such as buildings and furniture without addressing the spiritual meanings according to where the idea is applied. According to the analysis, the design can be translated using dynamic and static forms. The transformation of the design is generated from the form of round, triangle, square, and point, where the process is moving and changing shape to forms dynamic and static. This associates the forms with the ideology and terminology in the context of Islamic Sufism.
DIALOGUE
The content of the product design should also relate to the interpretations of Islamic spirituality and visual symbolism, which are elaborated on the pillars of Islam and Faith. Through a system of a transformation process, observational analysis of nature and environment resources as potential elements for Islamic design ideas and inspiration to produce a functional design to suit the current lifestyle, culture, and contemporary modern living environment. In examining the design transformation process, the criteria for the transformation process will be established through the manipulation of forms and shapes. The method is designed by selecting the most relevant design elements. The design phase includes the process of recognizing, refining, and strengthening the design criteria by producing more detailed transformation processes and translation. The principles of design will be translated into Islamic spiritual concepts and values based on the beautiful qualities of Asma’ul Hus’na. Islamic design should be regarded as a spiritual development process. It can be reflected in the shape of circles, which have no end therefore infinite. Conceptually, these elements remind the designers and observers that God is infinite. Complex designs create the impression of unending repetition, and this also helps a person get an idea of the infinite nature of God. The repeating units also demonstrate that in the small space we can find the infinite. A single element of the pattern implies the infinite totality. The use of each unit is part of the way that Islamic art represents nature and objects by their spiritual qualities, beyond their physical and material qualities. The repeated shapes of each design motif often make use of plant motifs. The integration of arts and crafts into everyday life was very much the norm in the traditional Islamic world. The idea is that Islam is integral to every part of life and makes it beautiful, so the design should influence the beauty of everyday life. The emphasis in design is on ornamentation rather than on art for art’s sake.
The art of the Islamic world reflects its cultural values and reveals the way Muslims view the spiritual realm and the universe. For Muslims, reality begins with and centers on God. God is at the heart of worship and aspirations for Muslims and is the focus of their lives. The Muslim artist does not attempt to replicate nature as it is but tries to convey what it represents. This lets the designer and those who experience the art, get closer to God. For Muslims, beauty has always been and will always be a quality of the divine. There is a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that says: “God is beautiful and He loves beauty.” A common feature of Islamic design is covered with geometric and organic constructions of design. This use of elements is thought to reflect the language of the universe and help the believer to reflect on life and the greatness of creation.
THE INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL THINKING IN ISLAMIC DESIGN
The concept aims to encourage intellectual, spiritual, and philosophical thinking and the meaning of existence and macrocosmic laws, enhance the soul and nourish the spirit. Adopted in the design process and design expressions, cultural or religious symbols are perceived with their meanings. A universal version of a symbol, through the application of the digital tool, generates the simplicity of the symbolic form. Tradition, history, and religion become the key elements beyond the physical design while being in tune with the essence of nature. The design concept explores the rich heritage tradition with a particular focus on the philosophy, the concept, and creative thinking. The element of lines and structure normally emphasizes harmony, nature, and qualities of beauty that complement the tradition of design civilizations.
DESIGN CONCEPT RELATING TO GOD’S LIGHT IN ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY
The spiritual process of the intention is a manifestation of God’s creation that is reflected as the design intention (the pre-process towards the goal of the design process). The light of the heart is the light flow of ideas that are reflected as the source flow from the origin of the image or design output. The light of the movement is the implementation of the development of the design process. The light of the soul captures a sense of feeling that is reflected in the appreciation of design (the beauty and aesthetic). Thus, the light of the mind is to translate action and the results are reflected in the creativity of design. From the analysis, it can be summarized that the Interpretation of design can be interpreted in various forms based on different beliefs and the dominant principles applied.
Interpretation of a design depends on the level of understanding and a way of assessing it. To create innovation, designers can translate their skills into the beautiful and divine elements of religious design and culture. The knowledge of design creation has been linked with the appreciation in the remembrance of God’s creation. The qualities of Asma’ ul Husna can be associated with various principles such as the beauty of seeing spiritually, sensing the smell of fragrance spiritually and enhancing the aesthetics of the design work as the mirror, reflecting the creation of God and reflected in the colors, balance and the designed elements. Thus the link between the internal and the external occurs in the process of designing and interpretation of the design will follow according to the spirit of the elements explored in the design process. With regards to the spiritual process, in order to achieve the Islamic value, Muslim designers need to practice spiritual Zikr and absorb all the higher qualities of God‘s creations (Asma’ ul Husna), and transform the qualities in design creation. This appreciation will give meaning to life and perceive the value of works in design as a religious purity. The value of the product can only be assessed upon the level of interpretation and closeness to aim associated with the elements based on the transformation of nature as the source of reference.
SOCIAL GOOD MESSAGE
Sparrows by morning, live in peaceful nests! Design shouldn’t dominate things, shouldn’t dominate people. It should help people. Don’t spend your time solving your favorite problems, solve problems that need to be solved, generically. A home is a place where you live, and society is a place where your story begins. Honesty shares honesty, as it is honesty’s nature. Stay always in Ablution and get back to the trust you have been, with.
