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Short course

Geometry in Art Short Course

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<p>Geometry in Art Short Course | Dual mode</p><p>Image: A Generative Exploration of Language and Form, Vitalina Virupajeva, 2024 BA Graphic And Media Design, London College of Communication, UAL</p>
Discover geometry as a form of artistic expression across cultural and historical contexts. Learn how to apply geometric construction techniques to create original patterns and compositions.
Next start months
November 2026
January 2027
February 2027
Tutor(s)
Lulwah Al Homoud
Price
From £490.00

Course description

Course overview

Taught through a combination of lectures, visual analysis, practical exercises, and creative studio work, this course explores the use of geometry as a form of artistic expression across cultural and historical contexts.

From classical Islamic geometric design to the structured abstraction of 20th century Western art, students investigate how artists have used geometry to express spirituality, order, and innovation.

During the course, students gain an insight into the symbolic and structural role of geometry, its philosophical underpinnings, and its relevance to contemporary visual practices. Students will be expected to work approximately 3–4 hours per week outside of class, developing their own visual research and artworks inspired by course materials.

The course aims to equip students with both historical knowledge and hands-on skills, enabling them to construct geometric patterns, analyse key artworks, and apply geometric systems to their own creative processes. Through this, geometry becomes not just a method, but a way of seeing.

This course is available both on campus or online. Please check location assigned to specific dates in the booking section.

Please note: the on campus version of this course may include an offsite visit / trip.

Who this course is for

This course is aimed at individuals from diverse creative backgrounds with an interest in geometric art, cultural history, cross-cultural visual languages and the intersections between form, culture and theory. It would be an ideal fit for those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the universality of Islamic art and design, while also exploring its relationship to Western abstract art.

Students should have prior experience or education in art or design, as well as a foundational knowledge of Western modern art history. While no previous experience in Islamic art is required, an openness to exploring new visual systems and cultural frameworks is essential.

The course is designed for intermediate to advanced learners—artists, designers, architects, educators, and researchers who want to enrich their creative practice through a more global and historically grounded approach to geometry in art.

Key information

Topics covered

  • The development of Arabic script and the geometric systems behind its design
  • Geometry as a universal visual language across Islamic and Western art traditions
  • The symbolic and expressive roles of geometry in both spiritual and modern contexts
  • Hands-on construction of geometric patterns and abstract compositions
  • Comparative exploration of abstraction, spirituality and structure in art
  • Possible visit to Albukhary Gallery at the British Museum
Learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical and cultural significance of geometry in both Islamic and Western abstract art
  • Identify key principles and visual systems used in Islamic geometric design and their connection to different sciences
  • Recognise major developments in Western modern and abstract art related to geometric expression
  • Apply basic geometric construction techniques to create original patterns and compositions
  • Develop sketch-based artworks using geometric foundations and abstract forms
  • Make informed visual connections between spiritual symbolism and formal design in different cultures
  • Demonstrate a comparative critical approach to analysing art from diverse traditions
  • Integrate geometric concepts into creative or design practice with greater confidence
  • Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials

On campus

  • Notebook with graphic tools (ruler, compass etc.)
  • If you have Adobe Illustrator (Ai) installed on your laptop, please bring it along
Online

  • Notebook with graphic tools (ruler, compass etc.)
  • Access to Adobe Illustrator (Ai)
If you are taking this course online, please see our Guide to taking online short courses

IMPORTANT - Adobe ID Login for Short Course Students

Students will need to create an account with Adobe (unless you already have one) in order to access the Adobe suite at the college; instructions are included below. You will need to use a personal email address to create this. If you already have an account with Adobe, please make sure you bring your login details with you on the first day of the course.

Please note:

  • Creating an Adobe account is free
  • The software will only be accessible when logged into a UAL networked computer
  • The same account can be used outside of the University, but software will only be accessible through a personal paid subscription that students will need to set up independently
  • You can still create an account on the day but doing this beforehand will save time and avoid delays to the start of the class
  • If you already have an Adobe ID/ subscription you can use this on your short course rather than setting up a new account

To create an account students will need to:

  • Go to Adobe Sign in page
  • Select 'Create an account'
  • Enter your details and select 'Create account'

Tutor

Lulwah Al Homoud

Lulwah Al Homoud is an internationally recognized Saudi artist and curator whose practice bridges heritage and innovation. Her work explores themes of spirituality, language, and abstraction, and has been acquired by leading institutions worldwide, including the British Museum, LACMA in Los Angeles, the Jeju Museum in Korea, Islamic Art Museum in Malaysia and the Five Continents Museum in Munich. She has also appeared in major international auctions such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Bonham’s.

Al Homoud was the first Saudi to receive an MA from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, and has since become an influential voice in both artistic and curatorial fields. Her curatorial journey began in London in 1999, with landmark exhibitions such as Master Strokes (October Gallery, 2003) as well as the first Saudi art exhibition in the UK (Brunei Gallery, SOAS, 2008), and Nabatt: A Sense of Being (Duolun Museum, Shanghai and Beirut, 2010). More recently, she has curated Contrasts in Harmony during Misk Art Week 2019, featuring 23 international artists, and co-curated the Saudi exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in collaboration with Misk and the Ministry of Culture.

Her collaborations span globally renowned institutions, including the British Museum, Duolun Museum in Shanghai, ArtCurial in Paris, Aramco, and The October Gallery, London. She has also served as a curator for art projects for AlUla, the Saudi Visual Arts Commission, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh. In recognition of her efforts to foster cultural dialogue, she was awarded the Rawabi Prize in London in 2020, and in 2021, the Saudi National Award for Visual Arts.

As an artist and cultural leader, Al Homoud is equally committed to education and cultural exchange. She is the founder of the LAH Art Foundation, dedicated to supporting Saudi artists and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, as well as ISDAR, a fine art printing facility that provides both educational and production opportunities. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Saudi Art and Design Society and is Deputy at the National Committee for Cultural Activities under the Federation of Saudi Chambre of Commerce.

Through her exhibitions, lectures, and workshops, Al Homoud continues to advocate for art as a universal language — one that nurtures creativity, connects cultures, and elevates the human spirit.

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