The seven principles of Iranian design and the principles of composition are among the characteristics of Iranian art that can be seen in most traditional arts. In the Safavid period, the use of visual and aesthetic features in art reached its peak compared to previous periods. During the reign of Shah Tahmasb, due to the support of various arts, arts such as book layout, carpets, etc. were given attention and growth, and masterpieces such as Sheikh Safi carpets and Shahnameh Tahmasbi were created. The motifs in the illumination of Shahnameh and Sheikh Safi carpets were designed and executed while maintaining the principles, elegance, and details, but at the same time they have some differences from each other. In this regard, the objectives of the research are: to identify the visual and aesthetic features of illumination and carpets of the Safavid period (Tabriz) with a focus on Shahnameh Tahmasbi and Sheikh Safi carpets, and to identify the differences and similarities in the design principles and aesthetic features of illumination in Shahnameh Tahmasbi and Sheikh Safi carpets.

The present study seeks to answer these questions: 1- What are the visual and aesthetic features based on the principles of design of Iranian art in the illumination of Shahnameh Tahmasbi and Sheikh Safi carpet? 2- What are the differences and similarities in the principles of design and aesthetic features of the illumination in Shahnameh Tahmasbi with the motifs of Sheikh Safi carpet? The research method is descriptive-comparative, the method of data collection is library, and the method of data analysis is qualitative. Due to their sophistication, simultaneous creation, and being artistic masterpieces, Shahnameh Tahmasbi and Sheikh Safi carpet, which are among the most exquisite and prominent works of this period, have been selected as the research community. The results of the findings are as follows: Of the seven principles of Iranian art that received much attention during the Safavid period, Eslimi, Khatai, Niloufar, and Gereh have been designed and implemented with great elegance and precision in both works. The principles of design and composition have also been observed in both works. Shamsa with the symbolic meaning of Farrah Izadi (Divine halo) is one of the main forms of both arts. The differences between the two works are related to the difference in function, nature and dimensions, which has led to more decorations and details in the carpet. Despite the possibility of being designed by one artist, the artist, with full knowledge of the structure and function of each art, has designed each one appropriately, while maintaining the principles.