Inspiring Journey of Holy Scripts to Modern-Day Coffee Packaging
I created a visually and culturally meaningful design for Kahveji coffee packaging, inspired by the traditional art form of tezhip. Using motifs, colors, and shapes commonly used in tezhip. The design draws from the philosophy of tezhip, which emphasizes the importance of sourcing materials from their origin, like coffee beans, and elevating the beauty of everyday objects. I hope to see this design in homes and retail stores, carrying the tradition of tezhip into daily life.
All of the tezhip work presented on this page was created by Anisa Ozalp.
What is Tezhip?
Tezhip is a breathtakingly beautiful art form that embodies the exquisite delicacy and intricate precision of muzehhips. With an unparalleled attention to detail, Tezhip illuminates manuscripts and books with a stunning interplay of intricate icons and captivating patterns. Each stroke and curve is crafted with a profound sense of artistry as the artist masterfully navigates the blank page, transforming it into awe-inspiring beauty.
What is Saki?
Saki is a cutting-edge technology manufacturer based in California that caters to the needs of tea and coffee aficionados. The company's flagship product, the Electric Samovar, has successfully revived a long-lost tea-drinking tradition, blending modern and conventional elements to create a unique consumer experience. Building on this success, Saki has expanded its product line to include state-of-the-art coffee machines catering to coffee connoisseurs' needs. By leveraging advanced technology and high-quality materials, Saki's coffee machines offer unparalleled performance and brewing precision, allowing users to enjoy a superior coffee experience with every cup.
What is Kahveji?
Kahveji (also spelled Kahveci, [kavedʒi], Arabic: قهوجي) is a Turkish and Arabic word meaning coffee producer. Kahveji is a newly launched ground coffee brand made in California. It sources its seeds from the mountains of Brazil and roasts, grinds, and packages them in its state-of-the-art facility in California.
Kahveji is an intriguing word with a rich etymological history dating back to Arabic. Kahveji is a Turkish and Arabic word derived from the Arabic word "qahwa," which means coffee. " Kahveji " refers to a coffee producer or someone involved in producing and distributing coffee.
As a newly launched ground coffee brand, Kahveji is passionate about bringing the authentic flavors of coffee to consumers. The company sources its coffee beans from the mountains of Brazil, a region renowned for producing some of the finest coffee beans in the world. Once the beans are harvested, Kahveji uses state-of-the-art facilities in California to roast, grind, and package the coffee, ensuring the highest quality and freshness.
By drawing on the rich history and tradition of coffee production, Kahveji seeks to offer consumers a unique and authentic coffee experience that embodies the true spirit of coffee culture. As a company that is deeply committed to quality and excellence.
Tezhip-Inspired Design for Coffee Packaging
The principles of tezhip are rooted in the tradition of beautifying everything in life, including spiritual texts and objects. So, we asked ourselves, why not coffee packaging? As the sacred book mentions, "And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you take sweet juice and wholesome food. And there is certainly a sign in that for people who reflect" (16:67).
Art is not a separate entity from life and creation but an integral part. The symmetry and harmony in the designs used in tezhip are intended to reflect the order and balance of the universe. Tezhip aims to elevate the beauty of objects by creating intricate and exquisite designs, and the daily use of packaging cannot be separated from this.
I created a visually and culturally meaningful design that reflects the art and beauty of the tradition. To integrate tezhip into coffee packaging design, I drew inspiration from the art form's traditional motifs, colors, and shapes, such as coffee seed flowers, leaves, and roasted beans. I used geometric patterns, floral motifs, and elements commonly used in tezhip to create a unique design.
I also used a color scheme consistent with the tezhip tradition, such as shades of blue, green, red, and gold. Metallic or iridescent foils can also add a luxurious touch to the packaging design, referencing the traditional use of gold and silver in tezhip.
Cihanoglu Complex
I began my journey learning Tezhip, also known as illumination and gilding, in 2021 at Cihanoğlu Külliye in the Köprülü District of Aydın. Külliye refers to a social complex that was common during the Ottoman Era. The building is an Ottoman Baroque style, with its square-plan units featuring masonry walls, wooden roofs, and an open courtyard with a low-arched door and rectangular window.
The Cihanoglu Complex is a significant architectural masterpiece that was built by the Cihanogullari family in the 18th century. This family was one of the most influential families in the region, and they played an essential role in the late Ottoman architecture in the area. The Cihanoglu Abdulaziz Kulliye, located in the Güzelhisar neighborhood in Aydin, is the most famous and recognized of the family's constructions, comprising a mosque, medrese, çeşme-sebil, and sarnic.
Apart from this, the family has built many water constructions in Aydin, which had over 200 çeşmes (public fountains) in the 17th century, according to Evliya Celebi. The çeşme-sebils are a unique group of structures among the water constructions, with an interesting architectural design. The Cihanoglu çeşme-sebil is one such example and is considered a significant architectural masterpiece.
The Westernization tendencies in Ottoman art were prevalent in the 18th and 19th centuries, where the baroque, rococo, and ampir styles were evident in small-scale water constructions, such as fountains and public fountains. These structures not only served practical purposes but also contributed to the artistic and cultural heritage of the region.
CIHANOGLU COMPLEX
CIHANOGLU COMPLEX
Research
I visited several museums and exhibitions for Tezhip art to conduct further research. Below are some of my photos from the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Louvre Tezhip
Louvre Tezhip
Louvre Tezhip
Louvre Tezhip
WORK IN PROGRESS
Origin & TEZHIP PRINCIPLES
1. In the Illumination (Tezhip) philosophy of drawing, Artist cannot simply create a design without considering its origin. It is like sourcing coffee beans from their place of origin - it matters.
2. To create a Simple Composition, one must start with a motif at a given point and continue it along spiral lines, without being restricted by strict rules.
3. Symmetrical compositions, on the other hand, come to life through straight or oblique lines that meet based on specific rules. In both cases, the shapes are always in contact with each other.
4. When it comes to flowers, they can only be placed in a free line. It is important to note that when using motifs on spiral and curved lines, the flowers and leaves must always face the same direction.
5. The motifs should resemble the letter S, with the central hatai being absolutely central in the sunburst design on the S line. This type of design is called reverse symmetry since the flowers and leaves can be turned in the opposite direction.
"Hatai" (also spelled as "Hatayi") is a traditional pattern used in tezhip, which is the art of illuminating manuscripts or decorating paper with gold or silver leaf and bright colors.
6. The figure in the border drawing diagram demonstrates the same feature, where the branches emerging from a central hatai extend in completely opposite directions.
7. In essence, the Illumination drawing rules highlight the importance of understanding the origin of a design and following specific guidelines for creating beautiful, intricate compositions.
PACKAGING DESIGN VARIATIONS
3D DESIGNS
Illustrations
You can also see the below illustrations of my design and their representations:
1. White Coffee Seed Flowers with a red leaf background
2. White Coffee Seed Flowers with a blue leaf background
3. Roasted coffee beans on a branch
4. Tezhip motifs with roasted coffee beans
5. Coffee leaves
6. Main Tezhip coffee icon
I hope to see this design in your homes and retail stores. I believe It is important to carry traditions into our daily lives.
MINIMALIST DESIGN OPTIONS
MORE MINIMALISTIC ALTERNATIVES
MORE ON TEZHIP
