Sunday 21st November 2010
Well, unfortunately we didn’t manage to have a team meeting at all last week, everybody has commitments and there wasn’t an opportunity for all of us to meet up.
In the meantime I am slowly continuing with my research into the history of surface pattern design and have also started researching current designs – patterns that are being applied to different surfaces, different methods of applying patterns to surfaces etc. I have started with British Design Awards 2010 shortlist of entrants for the Best British Pattern 2010. This was an interesting exercise which I enjoyed…
The British Design Awards 2010
ELLE Decoration, No. 218, Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd, October 2010, page 137
The Shortlist: Best British Pattern 2010
1. ‘Roseflower’ wallpaper by Camilla Meijer
2. ‘Prunus’ Wallpaper by Fromental
‘More classically oriental in composition than the abstract Cherry and Plum Blossom designs, this is the richest of the blossom patterns. The trees are first painted in freehand, calligraphy style. Further details are added in metallic accent colours, with touches of embroidery added.’
http://www.fromental.co.uk/index.php/wallpaper/prunus.html consulted on 17/11/10
'An opulent oriental design featuring a beautifully tactile mix of materials, this paper is handmade by London company Fromental. Its branch and blossom pattern is first painted freehand onto paper-backed silk, before metallic accents and hand embroidery are added. An investments buy to treasure. £340 per square metre' ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 143
3. ‘Screwed Up’ wallpaper by Erika Wakerly
‘This clever idea sees crumpled paper turned into a striking abstract design. ‘It’s a strong, raw texture - even though the surface is flat, it has a 3D effect,’ says Erika. Think of it as an ultra-modern take on trompe l’œil. £69 per 10 metre roll.’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 143
4. ‘Honesty’ rug designed by Mary White and sold by John Lewis
‘Hand-tufted rug, made from high-quality Indian highland wool.
It features an original 1950s design, sourced from the extensive John Lewis textile archives. Black leaf and tree outlines contrast with playful shapes in charcoal, grey zesty yellow against a pale neutral background.
‘Honesty’ was originally called ‘Coppice’ and printed in 1953, and designed by renowned textile designer Mary White, whose works were typically floral-based.’ http://www.johnlewis.com/104889/Style.aspx consulted on 17/11/10
Mary White (born in Margate, Kent in 1930) trained as a textile designer and studied textile design at the Thanet School of Art and Crafts. She was one of the most iconic textile print designers of the 1950’s.
Mary enjoyed a huge reputation as one of the leading fabric designers of the 1950s, and later became a teacher. Her work could be found in homes across the world as well as in cabins aboard the RMS Queen Mary and at Heathrow Airport. Her unique creations are now undergoing a resurgence of interest among the fashion conscious.
Mary was designing during the same period as Lucienne Day. To create her memorable designs Mary drew on the work of William Morris, books of flowers and the countryside where she grew up and has lived throughout her life. In turn her work has influenced leading fashion icons such as Mary Quant, Laura Ashley and Sir Terence Conran.
Mary created hundreds of designs in her career, which she gave up to raise her family. Some of her most famous creations such as Coppice, Cottage Garden and Zinnia were best sellers in leading outlets including Liberty and Heals.
The design Cottage Garden was one of Mary’s most successful designs. It was made available by Heals in 1955, at a price of 10s 9d per yard, coming onto the market at a time when a greater number of people than ever were accepting “contemporary” design.
Many of Mary’s designs are exhibited in museums all over the world including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and Whitworth Art Gallery The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester in Manchester.
Collectors of fifties fabric continue to collect Mary White material. Mary’s designs continue to be included in books on the subject of 1950s textile design such as 20th Century Pattern Design by Lesley Jackson, design curator, historian and author.
Mary was also involved in Thanet Pottery, having also studied pottery at Thanet School of Art. Thanet Pottery was collaboration between Mary (then using her married name of Mary Dening) and her brother, David White. Thanet Pottery made hand painted slip cast earthen ware pottery and their items were sold to High Street chains in the early 1960s. These items continue to be very collectible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_White_(textile_designer) consulted on 17/11/10
5. ‘Cubix’ wallpaper by Graham & Brown
‘The Cubix design embraces a classic geometric box pattern, using fine texturised lines to accentuate and embellish the pattern for a multi-dimensional finish.’ http://www.grahambrown.com/uk/product/30-168/Cubix?show= consulted on 17/11/10
‘The ‘Shape & Form’ collection features seven architecturally inspired geometric designs. a mix of matt, glossy and metallic finishes means they’re as much about texture as pattern. Our favourite is this ‘Cubix’ wallpaper, £25 per 10m roll’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 144
6. ‘We had everything’ wall hanging by Rob Ryan/The Rug Company
‘Our collection of wallhangings are entirely handmade, using traditional tapestry and needlepoint techniques. Each piece is enhanced by the unique style of our exclusive designers, and is distinctive and collectible.’ http://www.therugcompany.info/wallhangings/rob-ryan/we-had-everything.htm consulted on 17/11/10
‘Artist Rob Ryan’s romantic slogans are so heartfelt that they deserve to be proclaimed on a large scale. This wall hanging cleverly transforms the intricate paper-cut designs for which he is famed into wool needlepoint form. £895’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 144
7. ‘Friti’ fabric by Abigail Borg
‘This cotton textile is a blissful marriage of old and new techniques, uniting hand drawing with digital printing to create a feisty floral. It’s ideal for use on cushions, and Borg’s ready-made ones are hand-finished with two mother-of-pearl buttons. Fabric, £42 per sq m; cushion, £38’
ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 144
8. ‘Korc Square’ flooring by Sam Pickard
‘Korc it up!
Laser etched geometric cork panels. Fire rated to BS 476(class 1) these can help provide both a heat insulating solution and a stylish sound absorbent wallcovering for bars, restaurants or other commercial and residential interiors where sharp acoustics are a problem.
Visually intriguing sustainable cork with a contemporary twist. Laser etched with graphic imagery either from our collection of designs or commissioned to suit your individual requirements.
Special thanks to Bath Spa University whose Innovation Award made the development of the laser etched Korc Tiles possible.’ ‘Korc Squares... These 900mm x 600mm cork panels are laser etched with cool optical graphics and have great eco credibility. For further info please email Sam Pickard’ http://www.sampickard.co.uk/NewFiles/korc.html consulted on 17/11/10
‘We never thought that we’d like cork flooring. But Sam Pickard’s laser-etched design, featuring cool op art prints in modern colours such as electric blue, silver and black, has changed our minds. £69 for a 90 x 60cm panel’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 144
9. ‘Palladio Sunflower’ fabric by Sanderson
‘English textile designer Pat Albeck created ‘Palladio Sunflower’ for the ‘Palladio Magnus 2’ wallpaper collection circa 1961. For 2010 the Sanderson studio has re-created the design as both a fabric and wallpaper.’ http://www.sanderson-uk.com/DesignDetails.aspx consulted on 17/11/10
‘With its large-scale pattern of bright yellow sunflowers, this fabric has the power to lift your mood instantly. We love the fact that the peppy print has a refined touch, thanks to being printed on sheeny silk. £65 per m’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 145
10. ‘Alphabet’ cushions by Elsie Dodds
‘The Alphabet T cushion is digitally printed onto 100% cotton and features a pattern with an array of things that begin with the same letter on the front. In addition to the decorated side, the corresponding upper and lower case letters are printed on the back. It comes with a duck feather pad, is washable at 40° C and is made and designed in the UK.’ http://elsiedodds.com/products/t/ consulted on 17/11/10
‘A prime example of the trend for cross-generational homeware, Elsie Dodds’ cotton cushions are designed to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. With a graphic letter printed on one side and a vibrant assortment of objects starting with said letter on the reverse, each cushion is stunning and educational. £55 each’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 145
11. ‘Sussex’ wallpaper by Designers Guild
‘An elegant small scale geometric motif in a range of glowing colours. Printed on a high quality ‘easy to hang’ non-woven ground.’ http://www.designersguild.com/fabric-and-wallpaper-showroom/all-collections/nabucco-wallcoverings/sussex consulted on 18/11/10
‘Many metallic wallpapers look too flashy - not this design, with its petite geometric pattern hilighted with a pearlescent finish. The palette of pretty pastels creates a subtly glam effect. £43 per 10m roll’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218,
12. ‘Wood’ rug by Richard Woods/Established & Sons
‘Richards Woods uses traditional wood block printmaking techniques to ‘print’ graphic realisations of building materials and styles, piecing them together to block out sections of existing architectural coverings. Woods cuts in close to normality and re-presents it to us in a stylised and hyper-real visual formulation of itself, creating a ‘soft’ imitation in Wood rug. As woolen panels of printed wood flooring, wallpapers or brick walls, his pieces are functional as well as works of art, which can be appreciated in both residential and commercial environments
alike. The Wood Rug is traditionally hand-knotted in 100% wool.’ http://www.establishedandsons.com/html/AboutUs/#/PrincipalCollection-Accessories-WoodRugNEW consulted on 18/11/10
13. ‘Ravenna’ wallpaper by Osborne & Little
‘A dramatic collection of twelve new wallpaper designs inspired by Italian theatre
introduces innovative printing techniques and textured finishes. Some are printed with
a new granular glitter texture.’ http://www.osborneandlittle.com/osborne-&-little/teatro-wallpaper/wallpapers consulted on 18/11/10 ‘Small-scale cubes in mosaic layout.’ http://www.osborneandlittle.com/osborne-&-little/teatro-wallpaper/wallpapers/ravenna consulted on 18/11/10
‘As wallpaper makes a bold move away from pretty designs, Osborne &m Little’s ‘Teatro’ collection is right on the ball. Inspired by Italian theatre, it focuses on fresh printing techniques and finishes; this ‘Ravenna’ design is a series of eye-popping cubes. £43.20 per 10m roll’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 146
14. ‘Geo’ wallpaper by Ella Doran
‘Geo is Ella’s stunning new range and is now available as a striking wallpaper. Digitally printed onto paper and sold in ten metre rolls.
Repeat length 39cm
Roll length 10 metres
Winner of the Grand Design Awards best wallpaper 2010.
Winner of the Evening Standard’s Homes and Property best product 2010.’
http://www.elladoran.co.uk/index.php?id=shop&showproducts=1&categoryid=9&rangeid=91&productid=294 consulted on 18/11/10
5. ‘Triangle Weave’ collection by Wallace Sewell
‘These vibrant striped designs by Emma Sewell and Harriet Wallace-Jones have been made on hand looms at a family-run mill in Lancashire. We love their beautifully graduated colour effects. Cushion, £75’ throw, from £175 ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 146
16. Linen cushions by Fi Douglas/Bluebellgray
‘Scottish designer Fi Douglas says here exquisite cushions are inspired by ‘all things floral, from summer meadows to city window boxes’. Made in limited editions, her designs are painted by hand in watercolour before being printed onto fabric, capturing every brushstroke in the process. From £70’ ELLE Decoration, No. 218, October 2010, page 146
The winner of Best British Pattern, in The British Design Awards 2010, was ‘Friti’ fabric by Abigail Borg, ‘Also chosen by public vote from the shortlist in our October issue is this accolade, which goes to Abigail Borg for her ‘Friti’ floral fabric.’ ELLE Decoration, No. 220, December 2010, page 109
Notes
Although Abigail Borg’s surface pattern designs are very clever and well executed I feel that many of the other shortlisted entrants equally deserve to win this award.
It was interesting to look through the shortlist for this award, and take in details such as that ‘Honesty’ rug (John Lewis) was designed in 1953. The ‘Triangle’ weave cushions and throws by Wallace Sewell are designed and made in a traditional method, even though the final effect, when combined with the colours used, is homely and welcoming in a contemporary style. Six of the final sixteen designs that were shortlisted have an element of 3D effect, these were -
1. ‘Screwed Up’ wallpaper by Erika Wakerly
2. ‘Cubix’ wallpaper by Graham & Brown
3. ‘Korc Square’ flooring by Sam Pickard
4. ‘Wood’ rug by Richard Woods/Established & Sons
5. ‘Ravenna’ wallpaper by Osborne & Little
6. ‘Geo’ wallpaper by Ella Doran
It was reassuring to see ‘Op Art’ within those designs because I had incorporated it into my design work recently. My favourites of these designs were ‘Korc Square’ and ‘Geo’, the ‘Korc Square’ flooring is very cool and nothing like the dreadful cork tiles that were stuck to walls, ceilings and floors during the 1970s and wouldn’t come off again! The ‘Op Art’ design is dynamic and exciting, particularly when combined with the small panels of colour. ‘Geo’ wallpaper is an exciting concept, I love the rough look of the concrete which adds to the trompe l’oeil effect and makes me think of Brutalist architecture - I just long to run my fingers over the concrete!
A design that I find fascinating from a manufacturing perspective is the ‘Prunus’ wallpaper by Fromental, the design is hand-painted (so lining up the pattern could be quite difficult) on to fabric backed paper, and then the flowers are hand-embroidered onto the design - the most mind-boggling aspect of this wallpaper is that it only costs £340 per square metre, because production must be extremely time and labour intensive.
Another design that caught my eye and imagination is the quirky ‘We Had Everything’ wall hanging, designed by Rob Bryan based upon on of his paper-cut designs, what a clever idea.
All these interesting current designs have given me serious food for thought, I will continue to research alternative methods of applying patterns to surfaces.
Next
One of my next areas of research will be Timorous Beasties. I find their designs inspired and inspirational and would like to learn more about the company, their beginnings and how they go about applying their designs to a successful business. I am hoping to achieve contact with either Mr Alistair McAuley and/or Mr Paul Simmons of Timorous Beasties to ask them some of my questions.
Tomorrow we have a team meeting. I am hoping that the research that I have done is useful to other team members too.
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