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'Barakah'

Memoona Mehmood

‘Barakah' is an algorithmic tile design developed in p5.js that centres on the Arabic word for blessing and abundance, set against a background of teal and amber polygons. Inspired by aniconic traditions of Islamic iconography whereby artisans developed a high level of creativity using geometry, calligraphy, and floral motifs; this project blends Kufic script with the Girih design style.

An image of the wallpaper in a room setting
Notes from a sketchbook exploring the arabic charactes and considering how to incorporate them into the design.

Cobalt blue was chosen as the principal colour to reflect this historical style, establishing the calligraphy as the primary focal point against the white background. I built the rest of the palette using complementary orange and lighter teal tonal variations to add dimension without competing with the legibility of the script. When installed as a wallpaper behind the mesh shelving in a living area, this prominent location actively ‘invites blessings’ into the shared space, directly reflecting the meaning of the word ‘Barakah’. 

A coloured sketch on gridded paper creating the tile patterns and showing the numbered vertices.

By applying translational symmetry to the composition, the design creates a repeating tessellation that reflects the concept of ‘Tawhid’ (oneness of God). The tiles are designed to meet at every point without gaps, symbolising a universe that extends beyond the visible frame. This project represents a personal way of exploring my heritage through code, blending the profound beauty of traditional craftsmanship with algorithmic design.

The final design, the arabic characters have been stylised so that they are angular and the tiles together create the words which are repeated twice. Star shapes fill In the gaps.

About me

A digital artist driven by a meticulous spirit and a genuine love for the creative process. I value visual storytelling as a transformative tool for healing, resilience, and connection.

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