Surfaces on Aluminum

Aluminum patterns relating to the shape or contour of a trim piece are an area of surface exploration we have taken in several directions.  The idea is to custom create a finish with the overall shape of the part in mind.  The resulting surface flows and evolves with the part illustrating the attention to detail in the design.  This series of finishes focuses on shape shifting designs.  The individual elements in these patterns change as they move across the part.

We don't need to look far for inspiration in this design theme.  Once again nature provides us with a bounty of possibilities including the spiraling center of a sunflower or a hexagon structure of a honeycomb.

Inspiration also comes from the technical surfacing and structure  in modern architecture and product design.

This pattern looks as if a clear film printed with ovals had been stretched across the contoured aluminum surface of this part.  The effect is as if the stretching of the film caused the ovals to stretch and become bigger.  This adds to the visual depth of the part.  The ovals are a screen printed black texture contrasting with the brushed aluminum background.

The same pattern takes on a completely different look, more of an etched surface design, when a simple low gloss texture is printed on the brushed aluminum.  One look is bold and the other subtle.  Both are the same pattern or structure applied to aluminum.  The difference is in the gloss levels and printed textures used in the decorating process.

The same idea is applied here to a flat aluminum dial.  The morphing of the dot pattern is layered with a spin or circular brush on the round aluminum dial.  I like the repeating theme of circles in this design.  The shape shifting design on this flat dial gives it dimension.

This is only one theme for creating patterns that relate to the trim piece.  What other directions might be explored.  Wouldn't this be great on a flowing organic shape?  See for yourself the shape shifting surfaces featured here.

One series of mechanical finishes with gradations of color has always peaked the interest of most that see it.  This series has a deep transparent blue tint.  Mechanical finishes are applied selectively with hard lines contrasting the soft fade of color. 

The consistent interest in these finishes had me thinking about what else could be done with gradations of color.  I like to let an idea percolate in my mind for a bit when working on new finishes.  My interactions during this time, often unrelated, inspire a new direction.  This cross-pollinization is exactly what happened.  Driving to work, I often have the pleasure of watching the sunrise and the colorful morning sky.  There it was in front of me - a fade from one color to another and another.  Each morning was a new palette of possibilities.

We started this finish by layering transparent tints of color.  We settled on a color scheme and layered this with a custom printed texture which also changed as it moved across the aluminum trim piece.  The texture has a crackled effect but could have been a pinstripe or dot pattern or anything else.  The texture provides a slight gloss change from the background finish.

Substituting in different colors gave us very different looks.  I think I see further development here... oh the possibilities.  What if we shortened the distance the fade is occurring over... or layered this with an opaque pattern?  I think I see another series on the horizon.  What do you see?  Want to see for yourself this gradation of color on aluminum?

Whether inspired by vintage lace or hand embroidered satin, lace and floral prints on aluminum are an unexpected use of the material.  Delicate fabrics, soft femininity and floral patterns are in high contrast to the cold metal surface of aluminum.

The possibilities are many when printing surfaces on aluminum.  From elegantly simple and intricately detailed to gentle softness and shiny glitz, the versatility of aluminum allows these surfaces to be reinterpreted into unique metal patterns for a nameplate or a metal trim piece.

Selectively brushing the aluminum finish adds movement to the surface and can be made more intense through layering gradations of color and texture.  The finish takes on a completely different look when a transparent red tint of color is added.  The ornate pattern is appropriate for accent areas.  The addition of a urethane dome creates a jeweled look.  

The simple contrast of matte black against brushed aluminum creates a dramatic look, while, the subtle contrast of a high gloss texture on matte black is used for a delicate tone on tone effect.

A soft touch topcoat over a transparent gold tint and black lace detailing creates a metal surface with an unexpected touch.  The same finish takes on an entirely different effect in white on white.  The printed lace effects can be customized in color, gloss or scale.  The colors, contrast and process make the lace and floral effects on aluminum subtle or bold. 

What products could you see these types of surfaces applied to?  What finishes would you combine with the lace effects for an accent?

Attention to Detail in Laundry Panel Design

The designers at Speed Queen were inspired by the idea of creating a custom aluminum pattern or texture for their laundry panels.  Their challenge was to create an updated look for their brand using the existing profile of the panel.  The versatility of aluminum allowed them to consider many possibilities.  Their focus was on the flowing evolving lines in one of our aluminum concept finishes.

The aluminum panel design evolved around a flowing graphic on the panel.  A high gloss texture was used for the lines in the finish.  The lines followed the contour of the graphic in a soft ebb and flow across the metal trim.  The contour is accented with a bright bead of aluminum.

The bright aluminum accents compliment the metallic silver detail of the panel and help to make the Speed Queen logo stand out.  The attention to detail in this appliance panel design is a nice alternative to an overall white design.

A major trend in aluminum surface design has been toward organic linear structures.  In contrast to crisp pinstripes with a precise and technical look, these finishes are inspired by nature and compliment the more organic shape of products today.  The waves in water, the ripples in sand or the patterns created by grass are all inspiration for this theme.

The possibilities are endless when considering the variety of structures and the processes available to explore this idea.  These finishes use a layering of process to create depth and movement.  Selective brushing produces natural highlights and shadows in the finish.  Finally, transparent and opaque colors are combined for visual intensity.

The visual and tactile texture, created by layering a selective low gloss texture on the surface of these patterns, adds to the depth of the finish.  The finishes are shown here in a rich copper or warm grey color way.

These fluid oraganic finishes translate successfully into other color ways on aluminum such as dark black tints, transparent blues or whites.  Using subtle contrast results in surfaces with a premium look.  A more graphic effect can be created with bold colors and high contrast.

See for yourself the depth possible in aluminum finishes by requesting samples of these featured finishes. 

What other organic linear surfaces would you like to see explored?  What colors or scale can you see applied to the featured finishes?