International Journal of Applied Arts Studies (IJAPAS)

Educational Model of Architecture Based on the Professor’s Position (Case Study: Students of Selected Universities of Iran)

Hassan Torabi, Razieh Labibzadeh, Hossein Zabihi — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:59:20 +0330

Among the elements of the education system, the teacher element is the most important one, so professors and teachers are the underlying agents for the renewal of pedagogy. It is hoped that the lack of effective position of man in traditional education of architecture is removed in contemporary architecture education by investigating the human component, profound vision, and principles that architect masters acquired when they were solving the problems ruling the implementation of the building, creating a relationship between new building and environment’ texture, illustrating accurate human relationships and teaching these principles in details and accurately to their students.

This study aims to improve the quality of higher education through an introduction to a model of a competent professor in Iran’s higher education. To do this, a qualitative study with a content analysis approach was done. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were used to collect data.

The main question of this study is asked students of Selected universities of Iran about the characteristics of a competent professor. The information indicates that the average of the total dimensions of human existence, cognitive dimension, wisdom dimension and skill dimension were reported as 3.605, 3.701, 4.097 and 3.017, respectively. It can be seen that the average score of the total score as well as the average score of the cognitive dimension was above average, the average score of the wisdom dimension was desirable and excellent, and the average score of the skill dimension was poor.

Layered Semiotic Analysis of Al-Ghadir Mosque in Tehran

Mohammad Amin Safi, Siamak Panahi, Shiva Yghmaeian, Manouchehr Foroutan — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:01:05 +0330

In contemporary architectural discourse, semiotics has emerged as a critical method for interpreting the identity, symbolism, and communicative capacity of built environments. Architecture is increasingly understood not only as a physical structure but also as a layered system of signs that reflect cultural, historical, and metaphysical meanings. This study analyzes the Al-Ghadir Mosque in Tehran through the lens of layered semiotics, focusing on three key dimensions: physical structure, functional configuration, and symbolic representation. The mosque, constructed during the late Pahlavi era, is a unique example of postmodern religious architecture that integrates traditional Iranian-Islamic forms with modernist principles. Using a qualitative approach based on field observations, documentary research, and grounded theory, this research identifies multiple semiotic layers embedded in the mosque’s spatial hierarchy, geometry, materials, and symbolic elements such as light, water, and ornamentation. The findings reveal that the architectural meaning of the mosque is not confined to a single visual or formal aspect but is distributed across interconnected layers that require interpretation. The design creates a spiritual and cultural narrative through the interplay of explicit forms and implicit meanings. This research contributes to the understanding of how architectural semiotics can decode the communicative power of sacred spaces and provides a conceptual framework that may inform future mosque design rooted in both tradition and contemporary interpretation.

Typology of Suburban Caravanserais in Center of Iran Based on the Spatial Combination of the Main Architectural Elements

Tooraj Khosravi Javid, Shahriar Nasekhian — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:06:35 +0330

Objective: The aim of this research is the physical typology and typology of architectural elements of caravanserais in the studied area.

Methods: The research method of this study is developmental and applied, and the method of obtaining information is inductive and with an interpretive, historical and comparative approach. The method of collecting information is also based on library studies and field observations. In this study, the main architectural elements such as the entrance, vestibule, porch, verandah in front of the room, courtyard, room, portico, stable and tower have been evaluated and typified from the perspective of their spatial composition, and then the similarities and differences of the caravanserai have been explained. The main elements of the caravanserai have been examined according to the historical periodization of the caravanserai. The sampling method is purposive (non-probability).

Results: The practical result of the research will be that a comparative study of architectural elements and their typology will determine which of these elements are common in caravanserais and are related to the spatial or functional structure of the building, and which of the physical elements of the building have changes compared to the other. Identifying common elements and understanding different elements can provide solutions for future restorers to provide more appropriate restoration solutions in caravanserais that have lost parts or damaged parts.

Conclusion: It should be stated that physical and metaphysical components such as: climatic, cultural, social, economic, religious, technical, and structural factors have caused various types to form in the overall shape and architectural elements of caravanserais.

Impact of Colour Sequencing on Print Quality in Process Colour Printing

Felix Onaiwu Osaigbovo — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:09:10 +0330

Colour printing is the process whereby illustrative materials are reproduced in colour on printed pages. This research has been conducted in order to compartmentalize and possibly aggregate the various sequences which printers use in producing their works; this is because a survey of most Nigerian print houses shows that these printers use different schemes in their production processes. The four colour process is used to produce a complete range of colours; the materials to be reproduced are separated into three basic colours plus black which is used for density and image contrast; these colours are Cyan, Magenta and Yellow, plus black which is regarded as the key colour. CMYK refers to the primary colours of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These are the colours used in the printing press in “Four-colour process printing”. The objective of this study is to find out which of these sequencing produces the best print, their pros and cons and the best possible ways to navigate these various schemes. In this paper, the writer takes a look into what printers and machine minders thinks is the proper sequence of printing these colours and the processes from pre-press to finishing. The method used in this research is mixed, with survey, descriptive and literature review and so at the end it was concluded that various printers have their respective ways of arranging colours to suit their expertise and that irrespective of the sequencing type used, the dexterity and astuteness of machine minders matters a lot.

Mediating Knowledge: Power in the Digital Era

Mohadeseh Vahidimehr, Abolfazl Davodiroknabadi, Mahsa Khoie, Aliakbar Jahangard — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:33:52 +0330

Contemporary institutions of power increasingly operate through subtle, technology-mediated mechanisms. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s conception of the reciprocal relationship between knowledge and power, this study examines the role of digital objects as epistemic instruments within such power structures. Following Don Ihde’s framework, technologies are understood as non-neutral mediators that shape and sustain “structures of meaning.”

This study addresses two central questions: To what extent do tools and technologies shape human understanding of existence? And how do digital objects, as material mediators, function within mechanisms of power to produce, regulate, and perpetuate meaning?

Employing a phenomenological methodology, this research explores lived experiences, focusing on how digital platforms, smartphones, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and search engines embed users within pervasive networks of influence. Findings indicate that digital technologies simultaneously generate knowledge, structure meaning, and subtly guide voluntary compliance with algorithmic norms. This underscores the continuous interplay between knowledge production and surveillance in the digital era.

Keywords: Power Institutions, Michel Foucault, Digital Era, Epistemology, Don Ihde, Digital Objects, Meaning-Making Structures

Nature-Inspired Aesthetics in Textile Design: Creative Sets of Eye Mask, Cap, and Pillowcase

Afsaneh Bijan — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:16:26 +0330

This study explores the interdisciplinary integration of artistic design and nanotechnology in the development of a coordinated textile set consisting of an eye mask, a cap, and a pillowcase. The research emphasized creative design processes inspired by natural forms such as shells, butterflies, sunflowers, and leaves, employing diverse approaches to form, color, and symbolism. Initial sketches and conceptual drafts were refined through academic feedback, resulting in selected designs that balanced aesthetic originality with functionality. To enhance user comfort and health-related performance, cotton fabrics were treated with nano-strontium particles through ultrasonic processing, producing hypoallergenic properties while maintaining the softness and integrity of the textile. Experimental evaluation using the Winter standard confirmed an 86% improvement in the anti-allergic properties of the treated cotton samples. These results highlight the effectiveness of nano-strontium as a functional additive, while the creative designs demonstrated how everyday textile products can be transformed into expressive and symbolic objects. The findings suggest that combining artistic innovation with advanced material treatments offers a pathway for developing textile products that simultaneously address well-being, usability, and aesthetic value. This research therefore contributes to the growing discourse on interdisciplinary textile design, illustrating the potential of merging technology and creativity to meet contemporary human needs.

Analyzing the Effect of Urban Space Design on Happiness in the Global City of Yazd: A Quantitative Approach Based on Alain de Botton's Architectural Philosophy

Ahmad Esteghlal — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 14:18:09 +0330

Objective: The historical city of Yazd, as a global city with a unique architectural and cultural context, has significant potential in promoting the happiness of citizens and tourists. This research aimed to analyze the relationship between urban space design and happiness based on the architectural philosophy of Alain de Botton.

Methods: The research method was quantitative and descriptive-analytical, and data were collected in 2025 through a standard questionnaire. The samples were determined using the Cochran formula and the questionnaires were completed by 120 citizens and 100 tourists in the historical context. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.87, and the content validity was also evaluated by architecture and urban planning professors. The data were processed using SPSS software and descriptive and comparative statistical analyses.

Results: The results showed that the components of "history and cultural identity" play the greatest role in promoting the happiness of both groups, and the citizens' scores in this component were slightly higher than those of tourists. Other components such as “social interactions”, “aesthetics of space”, “green spaces” and “function and accessibility” had a lesser impact, although social interactions were more important for citizens than for tourists.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that preserving and exploiting Yazd’s historical and cultural values, especially in historical contexts and public spaces, is of fundamental importance for promoting citizens’ happiness and positive tourist experiences, and can be used as a guide for urban policy-making and the design of public spaces in similar historical cities.

Art Diplomacy in the Middle East

Hamideh Jafari — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:36:01 +0330

Throughout history, artistic expressions from the Middle East have been deeply shaped by the political and societal transformations occurring in the region. Iran has strategically utilized its diplomatic channels to impact artistic representation through a culture-oriented approach. The most significant artistic trends, such as modern art, contemporary art, and Islamic art, each uniquely portrayed the distinctive characteristics and challenges prevalent in the region. During this specific period, Iran's international diplomatic strategies were fundamentally constructed around Islamic ideological principles, with a strong focus on cultural identity and representation. The primary objectives were to foster regional unity and challenge Western dominance. Simultaneously, both internal and external pressures prompted shifts in diplomatic strategies. Art from the Middle East, shaped by this complex context, increasingly explored themes of cultural identity, contemporary life, and historical traditions. While some artists critically examined the prevailing circumstances, others aimed to reconnect with and celebrate the region's cultural roots. Accordingly, this research employs a descriptive and analytical approach to investigate how art diplomacy might contribute to peace-building in the strategically significant Middle Eastern region