Arc-Com’s Design studio is excited to offer designers a visual journey across varied cultural influences with the introduction of the Voyager Collection. Comprised of four dynamic patterns (Saxon, Sundial, Hanji and Great Wall) this collection encapsulates the mix, match and merge of influences from differing cultures that has become so prevalent in the design world today.
As the world grows steadily smaller, cultural cross influences grow even greater in the field of design. Interior designers are creating spaces whether they are in corporate, hospitality, healthcare or university settings both in major cities and small towns that will be utilized by a culturally diverse group of people. As a result, the sensibilities of their design language have shifted and expanded to accommodate these varying groups. Modern technology and travel puts imagery and information at our finger tips and this has resulted in the creation of diverse products that draw from a wide range of cultural inspiration.
The Voyager Collection offers four patterns that are influenced by different world cultures and can be selected for use individually or can easily be paired together for use in multicultural harmony.
Pattern Saxon draws its inspiration from historic Anglo-Saxon brooches. The Anglo-Saxons were people that inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century. They comprised people from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from continental Europe, their descendants, and indigenous British groups who adopted some aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture and language. Early Anglo-Saxon art, as it survives, is seen mostly in decorated jewelry, like brooches, buckles, beads and wrist clasps. By the later 6th century the best works from the southeast are distinguished by greater use of expensive materials, above all gold and garnets, reflecting the growing prosperity of a more organized society. Pattern Saxon draws upon the rudimentary geometry of the shapes found in the brooches stones and hand forged gold to create an allover mid-scale design.
Pattern Sundial was designed using the circular elements of the object after which it was named. A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the sun. Typically a rod casts a shadow upon a plane or surface. On this surface are found markings that indicate the time by the position of the shadow. Sundials in the form of obelisks and shadow clocks are known from ancient Egypt and were developed further by other cultures including the Chinese, Roman and Greek. Sundials have been invented independently in all major cultures and become more accurate and sophisticated as the culture developed. Pattern Sundials textured circular elements are reminiscent of the earliest stone sundials. Further patterning is created through the suggestion of shadows with linear elements intersecting the circular forms.
Pattern Hanji is a large scale dramatic pattern that explores the Korean culture. Hanji literally translated means The Paper of Korea. It has been part of the Korean life and tradition for over a thousand years. Hanji is an extremely durable and high quality paper made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. Pattern Hanji was inspired by hand woven baskets that were created using Hanji paper. Flat strips of the paper are rolled into strong, rope-like chords. These hand corded strips of paper are then woven into intricately beautiful, strong and functional baskets. Pattern Hanji magnifies the woven basket detail into an allover framework and uses the negative spaces to strategically introduce beautiful accent colors.
Pattern Great Wall was inspired by one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China. Perhaps the most recognizable symbol of China and its long and vivid history, the Great Wall of China actually consists of numerous walls and fortifications, many running parallel to each other. Originally conceived by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the third century BC as a means of preventing incursions from barbarian nomads into the Chinese Empire, the wall is one of the most extensive construction projects ever completed. Though the Great Wall never effectively prevented invaders from entering China, it came to function more as a psychological barrier between Chinese civilization and the world, and remains a powerful symbol of the countries enduring strength. Pattern Great Wall turns the imagery of the stone, brick, tamped earth and wood used to construct the Great Wall into a versatile allover textural pattern.
The color palette for the Voyager Collection explores a combination of sophisticated neutrals as well as modern brights. The entire collection is coordinated by color name. A true Black and White story, a range of Black and Red, a Citron and Grey pairing and a fresh Fuchsia and Mango combination are amongst the offerings in this dynamic palette.
All four patterns in the Voyager Collection exceed 100,000 double rubs and are woven with a combination of recycled polyester, polyester and nylon. All four patterns can be cleaned at a 20% bleach ratio due to the use of optimized dyes.
It will be great fun to embark on the journey and experience this incredible new collection!
Please visit www.arc-com.com/voyager to view the Voyager Collection.
Pattern: Saxon
Content: 63% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester/24% Nylon/13% Polyester
Finish/Backing: Nanotex Backing
Pattern: Sundial
Content: 79% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester/21% Nylon
Finish/Backing: Nanotex Backing
Pattern: Hanji
Content: 58% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester /21% Polyester/21% Nylon
Finish/Backing: Nanotex Backing
Pattern: Great Wall
Content: 74% Post-Consumer Recycled Polyester/26% Nylon
Finish/Backing: Nanotex Backing