Digital Education and E-Learning Innovations

Background: The use of monochrome color systems is established in the visual arts, but as an analytical and perceptual instrument in the representation of Islamic architecture is understudied. In this paper, we examine the role of monochromatic strategies in spatial perception, visual hierarchy, and aesthetic interpretation of Islamic architectural designs. Method: The practice-based, studio approach was used and combined with systematic analysis of qualitative data. There were references to Islamic architectural parts, such as geometrical patterns, arches, domes, and others, which were picked and disassembled in an organized way to derive compositional and spatial characteristics. These sources were then remade into monochrome pieces through digital manipulation and analogue rendering. The images were created with the help of artificial intelligence-based image generation with the assistance of Midjourney during the exploratory stage, and the final results were then edited manually. Results: The visual information obtained was examined through a visual analysis framework developed by Felderman (description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation), in particular, tonal contrast, interaction of light, and spatial hierarchy. The visual analysis, repeated reflection, and out-of-band critique sessions were the means of triangulation to justify the interpretations. Conclusion: The findings show that monochrome systems improve the legibility of the perceptions by boosting tonal contrast, which helps to improve the spatial hierarchy and structural understandability. Nevertheless, chromatic information reduces the range of feelings and expressiveness involved in comparison with polychromatic methods.