DESIGN NAME: A Bridge Between Two Epochs
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Art Book - Equality of women
INSPIRATION: A Bridge Between Two Epochs is inspired by a gap in exploring the spiritual aspect of His Highness Aga Khan III’s life and focuses on what happened during his long Imamat - Spiritual leadership from the direct descent of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. His active and multi-faceted life demonstrated that there is no dichotomy in Islam between the material and the spiritual dimensions of life. Thoughts reflect the connection between the Imamat of His Highness Aga Khan III and the unprecedented advances in science during it? A very interesting point is never before in recorded human history had this leap from candlelight to atomic power and horse carriages to supersonic airplanes in a matter of a mere sixty years.
Another motive is to highlight the status of women.
The inspiration for the design came from cycles in nature, where everything is circular, revolves in an orbit and is in the simplest purest form. Thus, the Art Book is a square format and conveys the message in the simplest form using typographical elements with photos and illustrations.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Bridge Between Two Epochs is an Art Book that engages with interested viewers, not only does it connect with the nostalgic audience but also young adults as it invites the viewer with warmth created with colourful text, dynamic illustrations, and serene photos.
My design is different from all others as it has a distinctive style integrating text, photos, and illustrations.
There are 12 sections in the book separated by individual colour.
The first two sections on his titles and decorations and a calendar of the main events in his life serve as a backdrop as well as an easy reference.
The section on scientific inventions reflects the unique physical time of his life.
In his own words His Highness Aga Khan III says: “My life in many ways has been a bridge across vastly different epochs”, and this is how the title of the book emerged.
His Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees are captured in special photographs.
The section on the guidance regarding women, answers many questions about the status of women in Islam.
The final section is designed with metallic copper on the Concept of Monoreality in his own words. He coined this particular word, which to date is not in the English dictionaries. He elevated the common understanding of the oneness of God a sublime level that demands greater intellectual engagement.
The strength of the design is its simplicity and elegance as it expresses the inner meaning of enlightened words and spirit of photos through colour and form.
The unique feature of the design is the use of seven dots with page numbers that suggests the seventh cycle, the period of His Highness Aga Khan III.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: A Bridge between Two Epochs reflects the views and acknowledgments of global leaders, on the leadership and achievements of His Highness Aga Khan III.
The book is a source of inspiration, a source of history of Ismaili Muslims, a source of his vision and how he brought the community up from illiteracy and poverty to well educated, and contributive individuals in all walks of life.
Visually stimulating with clean open space the text introduces the most original insights on the equal rights of women and their contributions in the contemporary world.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Project research began in 2013, international collaboration. 2014 compilation of photos and interviews, completed in 2017 in Burnaby.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The Art Book is square shape because even though a square has four sides it is like a circle continuous and symbolizes spirituality, wisdom, balance and unity.
The use of seven dots with page number suggests the seventh cycle, the period of His Highness Aga Khan III.
Special photographs and illustrations create a nostalgic fell.
Some photos show individuals from generations involved in service for humanity, upholding the value of volunteerism and dignity of life.
Some photos show damage created by bugs.
The metallic copper expresses rich encounters and beauty. It has a hidden meaning; not only does it represent the profoundness of physical progress of the time, but the spiritual significance of the Jubilee Celebrations too.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The Art Book is designed using a creative method and uses typographical elements and photographs including stock images to create a beautiful layout for easy reading using a combination of elegant calligraphic style with geometric sans-serif typeface that invites the reader to jubilate.
Art Book 156 Pages & Cover Case Bound with Dust Jacket
Litho'd 4C Process throughout with Metallic UV Gold one side
Gloss film laminate one side; Copper Foil 8” x 8” area
Page 14 x 14
TAGS: Aga Khan, Aga Khan III, President of the League of Nations, Global Leadership, Ismailis, Muslims, Statesman, Derby winner
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: The challenge of this project was to correct the inaccuracies and compile accurate documentation specifically the timeline of special events - the Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees of His Highness Aga Khan III, and its economic, educational and social impact which are evident even today.
The design research process included the use of technology to search and compare various sources of information. Interview results of personal accounts were also taken into consideration to check for error free accounts of the enormous activities and achievements.
Initially the idea was to create a book with info graphics but the research led to a technique of using photographs to revel the original event and spirit of the place. Thus emerged a resourceful art book with rare and unique photos, and illustrations that show the transition from candle lights to nuclear power and horse carriages to air travel and beyond, interplanetary travels.
Cropping of the photos is not consistent because the composition of some photos have no edge room and thus appear to be a close crop, and some photos have visible bug damage, but to keep the vibrancy and the objective of the project where the image highlights the event and connects the viewer with the moment in time, full bleed images are used throughout the book in individual sections with harmony of colour, boldly lighted words and balanced layout with meaningful pattern of dots. The layout creates a unique aesthetic fell bringing together beauty and awareness with new visual experience for the viewer.
Original source material of His Highness Aga Khan III was used to highlight the value of his teachings. Identifying relevant photos and individuals with private collections was a connecting delight. This process unfolded interesting stories and resulted in a great collection of photos.
CHALLENGE: Spotlight the glorious life of His Highness Aga Khan III, the most indefatigable champion of Islam
in the West and also the most outspoken about the shortcomings of Muslims in the East.
ADDED DATE: 2017-03-29 23:14:55
TEAM MEMBERS (11) : Creative Director, Rashida Noormohamed-Hunzai, , Photographs researchers, Nizar Habib, Azeem Maherali, Yasmin P. Karim, , Web, Zahir Lalani, , Designer and Yasmin P. Karim
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1
Photograph: Private Collection
Illustration: Yasmin P. Karim, A Bridge Between Two Epochs, 2013
Image #2
Photograph/Bromide Print: Elliott & Fry, Aga Khan III (Mohammed Shah), Purchased, 1996 National Portrait Gallery, London
Image # 3
Photograph/Mosaic Portrait in lapis lazuli: Ismail Gulgee, no date
Image #4
Photograph A: Private Collection
Photograph B: AGIP - Rue des Archives / The Granger Collection, 1959
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Photo Credits
Cover Jampudeep No Sultan, Al-waiz
Abdulaziz Rai Abdullahbhai, pen name is
“Sayrab Abuturabi”
Calligraphy Hikmat Printers
02 © National Portrait Gallery, London
15 Private Collection
17 Private Collection
23 League of Nations Archive
25 Azeem Maherali Collection
26 Leslie Ward [Public domain], via
Wikimedia Commons
29 - 41 Private Collection
45 © AGIP - Rue des Archives/
The Granger Collection, New York
47 Courtesy of Fatehali Janmohamed
49 Private Collection
51 Private Collection
73 Private Collection
75 - 93 Position of Woman Under Islam,
Syed H. Zaidi
105 Heritage Society Collection
109 - 145 Private Collection
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