Girih Grid

The Girih Grid lays an Islamic star pattern across the floor: interlaced bands that weave over and under each other and close into eight-pointed stars and rosettes, with the spaces between them glazed in two tones as in zellij tilework. The angle of the stars drifts slowly, so the pattern breathes between related designs.

How it works

It uses the method historians call polygons in contact. Start from a simple tiling of polygons; from the middle of every edge send two rays into the polygon at a fixed angle, and extend them until they meet. Those rays become the strapwork. Change the angle and the same tiling yields a completely different star. Where two straps cross, one is cut so it seems to pass beneath the other, and the stars stand slightly proud of the straps when Displace is on, like carved plaster.

Settings

• Tiling picks the base: 4.8.8 (octagons and squares), Hexagons, or 3.6.3.6 (hexagons and triangles).
• Contact Angle sets the ray angle; 67.5 is the classic eight-point star.
• Strap Width sets the width of the woven bands.
• Angle Drift lets the angle wander, morphing the pattern.
• Line Color, Section Color and Cell Color restyle the pattern; the default palette is gold, blue and teal.

Use it for

Ornamental and cultural scenes, luxury and hospitality brands, Ramadan and festive campaigns, architecture and craft. The Wallpaper Grid explores symmetry more broadly.