AL-Fann

Author Guidelines

AL-Fann: Journal of Islamic Art, Design and Culture

1. General Information and Requirements

  1. Manuscripts submitted to AL-Fann: Journal of Islamic Art, Design and Culture must be original scholarly works that have not been previously published and are not under consideration for publication in another journal.

  2. Manuscripts may be written in English or Indonesian. Authors are strongly encouraged to use clear, concise, and academically appropriate English to increase the international accessibility of their work.

  3. Research articles should contain approximately 5,000–7,000 words, including tables, figures, and references. Longer manuscripts may be considered based on their academic quality and relevance.

  4. Manuscripts must be prepared using A4 paper size with the following margins:

    • Top: 3 cm

    • Left: 3 cm

    • Bottom: 2 cm

    • Right: 2 cm

  5. Manuscripts should use Times New Roman, 12 pt, with 1.5 line spacing and consistent paragraph formatting.

  6. In-text citations and references must follow the APA Style 7th Edition (American Psychological Association).

  7. Authors must ensure that every source cited in the manuscript appears in the reference list and that every reference listed is cited in the manuscript.

  8. Authors are strongly encouraged to use reference management software such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote.

  9. References should primarily consist of relevant and credible academic sources. Authors are encouraged to cite recent articles from reputable national and international scholarly journals.

  10. If the manuscript contains images, photographs, illustrations, artwork, diagrams, or other visual materials, authors must provide appropriate sources and ensure that their use complies with copyright regulations.

  11. Images should be of sufficient quality for academic publication, preferably at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

  12. All tables and figures must be numbered consecutively, provided with appropriate titles or captions, and explicitly referred to in the manuscript.

2. Article Structure

Research articles should generally follow the structure below:

  1. Title

  2. Author(s) and Affiliation

  3. Abstract

  4. Keywords

  5. Introduction

  6. Literature Review / Theoretical Framework

  7. Research Method

  8. Results and Discussion

  9. Conclusion

  10. References

The structure may be adjusted according to the characteristics of the research, particularly for studies in art, design, culture, and interdisciplinary Islamic Studies.

3. Title

The title should:

  • clearly represent the main focus of the study;

  • be informative, specific, and concise;

  • contain a maximum of 15 words;

  • use Times New Roman, 14 pt, bold, and centered formatting;

  • use appropriate capitalization;

  • avoid unnecessary abbreviations.

The title should identify the main object, issue, approach, or research focus of the article.

4. Author(s) and Affiliation

Authors' names should be written in full without academic or professional titles.

For each author, provide:

  • Full name;

  • Department or study program, where applicable;

  • Institution;

  • City and country;

  • Email address;

  • ORCID, if available.

The corresponding author should be clearly identified.

5. Abstract

The abstract must be written in English for all articles, including manuscripts written in Indonesian.

The abstract should contain 150–250 words, be written as one paragraph, and should not contain citations, tables, figures, footnotes, or references.

The abstract should provide a concise and informative overview of the study and should include the following elements:

  1. Background/Research Problem – the context and main problem addressed by the study;

  2. Purpose – the main objective of the research;

  3. Method – the research approach, methods, data sources, and/or analytical techniques used;

  4. Results/Findings – the main findings of the study;

  5. Conclusion/Implication – the principal conclusion and/or implications of the findings.

Authors should report the actual findings of the research rather than providing only background information and research objectives.

Recommended Abstract Structure

This study examines [research problem/object] in the context of [context]. The study aims to [research objective]. A [qualitative/quantitative/mixed-method/art-based/design-based] approach was employed using [data/source] and analyzed through [analysis method]. The findings indicate that [main findings]. The study demonstrates that [main conclusion], highlighting [theoretical/practical/cultural/artistic implication]. These findings contribute to [field of study].

6. Keywords

Provide 3–5 keywords in English.

Keywords should represent the major concepts, objects, methods, or research areas discussed in the article.

Keywords: Islamic art; visual culture; Islamic aesthetics; contemporary design; cultural studies

7. Introduction

The Introduction should establish the context and significance of the research.

It should include:

  • the background and context of the study;

  • the research problem or phenomenon;

  • relevant previous studies;

  • the theoretical or conceptual basis of the research;

  • the research gap;

  • the significance and contribution of the study;

  • the research objective;

  • research questions or hypotheses, where applicable.

The Introduction should clearly explain why the study is important and what contribution it makes to the fields of art, design, culture, or Islamic Studies.

Authors are encouraged to use relevant and up-to-date scholarly literature to establish the state of the art and research gap.

8. Literature Review / Theoretical Framework

This section should discuss relevant theories, concepts, and previous studies that provide the foundation for the research.

The literature review should not merely summarize previous publications. Instead, it should critically demonstrate the relationship between existing scholarship, the theoretical framework, and the present study.

Authors should clearly identify the research gap, theoretical position, and contribution of the study.

This section may be integrated into the Introduction when appropriate.

9. Research Method

The Research Method section should provide sufficient detail about how the study was conducted.

It may include:

  • research approach and design;

  • research object or participants;

  • research location and period, where relevant;

  • data sources;

  • data collection techniques;

  • research instruments;

  • data analysis procedures;

  • research procedures;

  • ethical considerations, where applicable.

AL-Fann welcomes various methodological approaches relevant to its scope, including:

  • qualitative research;

  • quantitative research;

  • mixed-method research;

  • art-based research;

  • practice-based research;

  • practice-led research;

  • design research;

  • visual analysis;

  • cultural studies;

  • interdisciplinary approaches.

The selected methodology should be appropriate to the research question and clearly justified.

10. Results and Discussion

The Results and Discussion section should present the findings of the research and interpret them in relation to relevant theories and previous studies.

The results may be supported by:

  • research data;

  • tables;

  • figures;

  • artwork documentation;

  • visual analysis;

  • interview quotations;

  • textual evidence;

  • or other appropriate forms of research evidence.

The Discussion should:

  • explain the meaning and significance of the findings;

  • relate the findings to relevant theories;

  • compare the findings with previous studies;

  • identify similarities and differences with existing research;

  • demonstrate the contribution of the study;

  • discuss the theoretical, practical, artistic, cultural, or social implications of the findings.

For articles focusing on artworks or design practices, the discussion may address conceptual, aesthetic, visual, material, technical, symbolic, cultural, social, and Islamic perspectives relevant to the work.

11. Conclusion

The Conclusion should directly address the research objectives and/or research questions.

It should emphasize:

  • the main findings;

  • the contribution of the study;

  • the implications of the findings;

  • limitations of the study, where relevant;

  • recommendations for future research, where appropriate.

The Conclusion should not simply repeat the Results and Discussion but should synthesize the most important findings and their significance.

12. References

The reference list must follow the APA Style 7th Edition.

References should be arranged alphabetically according to the authors' surnames.

Authors are strongly encouraged to prioritize relevant and recent scholarly sources, particularly peer-reviewed journal articles. DOI information should be included whenever available.

Journal Article

Format:

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), page–page. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Example:

Rahman, A., Yusuf, M., & Hakim, R. (2026). Islamic aesthetics in contemporary Indonesian visual art. AL-Fann: Journal of Islamic Art, Design and Culture, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/alfann.xxxx

Book

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

Example:

Berger, J. (2008). Ways of seeing. Penguin Books.

Chapter in an Edited Book

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of chapter. In A. A. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pp. xx–xx). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Conference Proceedings

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of paper. In Title of conference proceedings (pp. xx–xx). Publisher. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Thesis or Dissertation

Format:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of dissertation [Doctoral dissertation, Name of University]. Database/Repository. URL

For a master's thesis:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis [Master's thesis, Name of University]. Repository. URL

Report

Format:

Organization Name. (Year). Title of report. Publisher/Organization. URL

If the author and publisher are the same organization, do not repeat the publisher name.

Webpage

Format:

Author/Organization. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL

If no publication date is available:

Author/Organization. (n.d.). Title of webpage. Website Name. URL

13. In-Text Citation

AL-Fann uses the APA 7th Edition author-date citation system.

One Author

(Rahman, 2025)

Rahman (2025) argues that ...

Two Authors

(Rahman & Yusuf, 2025)

Rahman and Yusuf (2025) argue that ...

Three or More Authors

(Rahman et al., 2025)

Direct Quotation

(Rahman, 2025, p. 25)

Direct quotations should be used selectively and formatted according to APA 7th Edition requirements.

14. Tables and Figures

Each table and figure must:

  • be numbered consecutively;

  • have a clear and informative title or caption;

  • be explicitly referred to in the text;

  • include a source when it is not produced by the author;

  • have sufficient quality for publication.

Example:

Figure 1
Contemporary Islamic Ornament in Indonesian Architecture

Source: Author's documentation, 2026.

For images, photographs, artworks, or other visual materials obtained from third parties, authors are responsible for providing appropriate attribution and obtaining permission when required.

15. Articles on Art Creation and Design

AL-Fann also welcomes scholarly articles focusing on art creation, creative practice, and design practice.

For these types of manuscripts, the structure may be adapted as follows:

  1. Title

  2. Abstract

  3. Keywords

  4. Introduction

  5. Concept / Theoretical Foundation

  6. Creation or Design Method

  7. Creation / Design Process

  8. Analysis and Discussion

  9. Presentation of the Work

  10. Conclusion

  11. References

Articles on art creation and design should provide an academic explanation of the concept, process, methodology, materials, techniques, aesthetic considerations, cultural context, and/or Islamic values underlying the work.

Visual documentation of the artwork or design should be of sufficient quality and accompanied by appropriate captions.

16. Recommended References

Authors are encouraged to use references that are:

  • relevant to the research topic;

  • academically credible;

  • peer-reviewed where possible;

  • recent and up to date;

  • based on primary sources where appropriate;

  • directly related to the research gap and contribution.

Authors are encouraged to include relevant scholarly publications from the last 5–10 years, while also citing seminal or foundational works when they are essential to the theoretical framework.

17. Reference Management

Authors are strongly encouraged to use reference management software such as:

  • Zotero

  • Mendeley

  • EndNote

All references must be formatted consistently according to APA Style 7th Edition.

18. Ethical and Originality Requirements

Submitted manuscripts must:

  • be original work of the authors;

  • not have been previously published;

  • not be under consideration by another journal;

  • be free from plagiarism;

  • properly acknowledge all sources;

  • clearly state authorship and contributions where applicable;

  • obtain appropriate permission for copyrighted materials when required.

AL-Fann reserves the right to conduct similarity and plagiarism checks on submitted manuscripts.

19. Manuscript Submission

Manuscripts must be submitted through the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform of AL-Fann.

Before submission, authors must ensure that their manuscript:

  • follows the Author Guidelines;

  • follows the required article structure;

  • uses APA 7th Edition consistently;

  • includes an appropriate English abstract and keywords;

  • contains complete author and affiliation information;

  • includes all necessary tables, figures, and references.

Manuscripts that do not comply with the journal's guidelines may be returned to the authors for revision before entering the peer-review process.