Category Archives: architectural

The Problem of Ornamentation

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Ian Whiteman

 After all, what is beauty? [Looking through old drafts of blog posts I found this one. Not perfect and a bit of a rant but it has some good bits in it.] When looking at Muslim prayer apps the other day … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, beauty, calligraphy, Comment, evolution, House design, language, miscellaneous, modernism, peace, politics, Publishing, religion, sacred knowledge, science, tradition, typography / design | 1 Comment

Small is Bountiful

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Ian Whiteman

In the year 2000, Shaykh Zaki Yamani, the erstwhile Saudi oil minister, gave a one-off lecture in London which I had the good fortune to attend. The lecture was about the house of Khadijah, may God be pleased with her, … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, Comment, House design, miscellaneous, religion, sacred knowledge, Sacrilege, small houses, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Translation, Lost and Found

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Ian Whiteman

Above: A page from an as yet unpublished edition of the Shama’il of Tirmidhi. Part One Although my work is principally typesetting books, something previously done by men in inky overalls composing metal type, I do actually read some of … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, language, miscellaneous, Publishing, religion, typography / design | 1 Comment

Ancient Prophets of Arabia

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

Following my tradition of announcing books I have worked on, here is a big one. Dr. Mostafa Badawi, (a medical doctor of Egyptian origin), practices as a psychiatrist in a hospital in Medina and is hidden away in that wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in architectural, language, miscellaneous, music, Publishing, religion, typography / design | 4 Comments

Olé

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

‘A usted‘ is the reply you will often get in Spain when thanking a tradesman or a shopkeeper and it always brings with it a smile. A small but significant courtesy. Usted (or its arabic forerunner ustadh) is the formal … Continue reading →

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To Serif or not to Serif?

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Ian Whiteman

There was a time when to make something look cutting edge you just avoided serifs, those little embellishments on a letter of type that stops it looking like a block of wood. It was that simple. Helvetica as opposed to … Continue reading →

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