21st November
2009
written by Hope

After 3 years of art school and 2 years working at a boutique graphic design studio, there is one rule that emerges: a rule so highly regarded in the industry that ignoring it would be like asking Thomas Keller to pair his fine steak with Two Buck Chuck. That rule is:

OBEY THE WHITE SPACE.

Any accomplished designer will tell you that the white space on a page is as important—sometimes even more so—than the text or graphical elements. It lets the eye rest, or gives it direction. It can create balance between the other elements on the page. In the best designs, it can create meaning.

Istanbul laughs in the face of white space. It thumbs its nose at white space. Indeed, Istanbul ran that white space right outta town.

The results are insanely beautiful.

interior, blue mosque, istanbul
The ceiling of Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque).

We spent most of our days with our necks craned up and our jaws open in awe. When I was in Oaxaca a few years ago, I was obsessed with all the beautiful patterned tiles. But THIS…this takes it to another level entirely.

topkapi palace, istanbul
Topkapı Palace.

Every surface that can be covered with a pattern, is.

mother-of-pearl inlaid door at the blue mosque, istanbul
Mother-of-pearl inlaid door at the Blue Mosque.

stone floors, topkapi palace, istanbul
Stone floors at Topkapi Palace.

painted ceiling detail, haghia sophia (aya sofya), istanbul
Painted ceiling in the upper gallery, Haghia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

haghia sophia (aya sofya), istanbul
Byzantine arches and pillars at the Haghia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

topkapi palace, istanbul
Stained-glass window, Topkapi Palace.

And what is in between those patterns layered on patterns? Is it enough to execute patterns in stone, tile, glass, wood, and paint? Of course not! Let’s throw some mosaics in there while we’re at it.

virgin mother and child mosaic in the half dome, haghia sophia (aya sofya), istanbul
Virgin mother and child mosaic in the half-dome, Haghia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

deësis mosaic, haghia sophia (aya sofya), istanbul
The Deësis mosaic in the Haghia Sophia (Aya Sofya).

Screw white space.

4 Comments

  1. 21/11/2009

    I see you left a comment on my blog about my discovering yours…don’t know how I linked to you but enjoying your adventures

    I love Turkey too
    Have visited twice and your pix make me want to plan another trip
    wintkat

  2. Laurie Hermann
    21/11/2009

    Oh, Hope and Jeremy….these are gorgeous…..thank you for sharing in photos and in words….xoxo

  3. Randy Hermann
    22/11/2009

    AWESOME!…………..

  4. Lisa
    11/12/2009

    Respect white space. Screw white space.
    Reminds me of the Taj Mahal. All that amazing Persian/Muslim/Moorish architecture. Hopefully we’ll get to Turkey one day!

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