Uniting Technology & Craft – Ceramic Tiles by Italian Design Studio Mutina

I personally think the best kind of design is the design that goes unnoticed. This is why I was drawn to this project called Mutina that consists of designers Patricia Urquiola, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Rodolfo Dordoni, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Tokujin Yoshioka, Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay, Inga Sempé, Konstantin Grcic and Hella Jongerius. It’s an all star team! Their goal being to research what artisanal or industrial techniques are specifically suited to floor and wall tiles.

This is a conversation that architects often have, the second skin being one of the most important elements of a building. Through the frustrations of finding suitable alternatives each designer took it upon themselves to design a fantastic series that involves simple patterns with a twist. I especially like the more subtle, natural designs that feature small speckling in random locations. These textures and tones are rare to see and take a very keen eye to envisage and produce.

That’s one thing I would love to see on Mutina’s website, how they are able to produce these and showcase the different methods they went through to get these patterns. I suppose that would give away some of the secrets! Here are a few of my favourite designs that were taken in situ, but if you have some spare time I also urge you to browse the Mutina for Art website that looks to promote emerging artists and their work.

mutina.it

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