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Batik has always been in the spotlight whenever the topic is on the art treasures in Malaysia. Developing throughout the decades, the Batik art in Malaysia has made it onto the runway carrying its unique identity of aesthetic and design. As we are entering the modern and digitalized world, Malaysians are keen to forget the beauty and value of this art craft, to the millennials especially, Batik is just another piece of old fashioned fabric.

In the era of social media communication, checking-in and “Instagram-able” hotspots have always been welcoming than ever as a trend without the aids of promotion or advertisement. Hence, the minimalist and modernist architecture is the vogue in design by integrating and maximizing public attention, especially the millennials. The design intention is to tackle the mindset of the millennials of whatever new is the trend and it must be shared online.

The integration of Malaysia famous architecture with Batik design would address the objectives of capturing the interest of millennials in Batik as well as to place the beauty of Batik onto the social platform domestically and internationally. The design intention of this Batik aims to be the game changer of presenting the Batik of millennials integration and recognition by elaborating the identity of Malaysian modern and traditional architecture elements.

The main inspiration of the Batik design derives from the Sultan Salahuddin Aziz Mosque and Saloma Link, which two carries Malaysian unique identity in different context, era and approaches. The Batik design firstly distinguishes the dome like symmetrical pattern on the both sides, inspired by the dome of the iconic Sultan Salahuddin Aziz Mosque with diverse styles of Islamic, gothic and modern architecture. However, the incorporation of hierarchical diamonds patterns within the dome frame is inspired by the façade openings of the new trendy and modernist Saloma Link bridge revealed early this year. The integration of the traditional and new architectural elements in the Batik design symbolizes the inclusion and fusion of traditional principles and elements into the millennial generation.

Other than that, the hierarchical order of the diamond patterns descends from the bottom to the peak of the dome, offering a sense of illusion and blooming effect to also emphasize the focus on the overlapping framing elements. The principle of repetition on the Batik design project the ideas of infinity in empowerment and interweave, representing Malaysia with Islamic background and cultural identity. In addition, the funnel-like pattern weaving at the center of the Batik design are inspired by the beauty of the repeating and overlapping ribs structures of Saloma Link as an inspiration from Sirih Junjung, a traditional ceremonial art craft symbolizes unity. The inspiration has also greatly influenced the idea of the Batik design in expressing harmony and integration, reintroducing Batik into the millennial generation.