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.