Mannington Commercial has joined with teams of architects and interior designers in Austin TX, Chicago IL, Washington DC and San Francisco CA to create four flooring collections inspired by the unique spirit of their cities. The teams have posted their collections – with the final prize winner being selected entirely by online voting at http://manningtondesignlocal.com.
"As product manufacturers, we have always been interested in finding new ways to connect with the A and D community. In particular, we love to find ways to engage designers in product design," said Natalie Jones, Vice President of Brand Development and Creative Product at Mannington Commercial. "We were captivated by the idea that a large company could create a platform to support local design, with an emphasis on how design reflects, and contributes to, the communities where creative people live and work."
This idea led the company to launch Design Local, a new product collaboration program, where Mannington partnered with professional designers from different firms in the four cities, tapping their creativity to capture and translate the unique spirit of their hometown. During a 24 hour design immersion, the teams fanned out into the city in search of ideas and inspiration – then worked as a team to create themes and concepts for a collection. In the weeks since, the teams have collaborated with Mannington's product designers and colorists to develop their sketches, photography and artifacts into coordinating patterns.
"As the teams shared their perspectives and inspirations, it was remarkable to see common themes come to the surface, and evolve," said Jones. "This gave us, as manufacturers, a remarkable opportunity to participate in the designers' creative process, and for them to participate in ours. Seeing the individuals talents come together as teams was an incredible experience, and has given birth to four remarkable and beautiful collections."
Team Chicago's collection, Urban Luxe, brings together layers of varying colors that, when dissected, create clean lines and sophisticated coordinating patterns that show the contrasts of chic elegance and edgy grid that help give the Windy City its unique sense of place.
Team San Francisco's Fog City Collection offers clean, almost minimalist patterns inspired by movement and transportation – the power lines and tracks that carry cable cars through downtown streets and the texture of coastal pathways.
Team DC's On the Grid was inspired by the maps, signs, transportation and topography that draw people to the city and bring it to life, day and night – reflecting the neutral buildings, contrast of green spaces and cherry blossoms.
Team Austin has created Urban Patina, inspired by the landmark neighborhoods in the city, as well as earth colors, halftones, screen printing and rusting corrugated metal – the happy accidents of nature's hand on the built environment.
Voting is open from today until February 25, 2013. The winning team will be announced the next day; their collection featured in Mannington's showroom at NeoCon 2013.
The public can view profiles of each team, and watch a short video on their creative process, at http://manningtondesignlocal.com. Facebook users can also track the latest Design Local news on the Mannington Commercial Facebook page.
