Digital Print Specialties is a succinctly-named custom print studio based in Hazel Park, MI, just outside of Detroit. They use a large-format digital dye-sublimation process to create one-of-a-kind printed materials for unique interior applications, including wall coverings, acoustic panels, and upholstery, to name a few.
In late 2013, DPS enlisted d+m to develop a booth design for their exhibit at the 2014 Interior Design Show in Toronto. They expressed a desire to present as offering an entirely custom service, in step with current trends in fashion and design. They also wished to have a booth that would showcase their primary offerings while standing out in the context of typical booth designs, and demanding the attention of the passers-by.
In keeping with the 'unique' characteristic, we chose to create a non-repeating, asymmetric, and seamless geometric pattern for the background of the walls and floor. Within overlaid white panels, precise typography outlines the overview and offerings of DPS, in a visually-hierarchical manner (information was designed based on distances at which viewers would stand).
Rather than clutter the space with upholstered furniture and sample materials, as is fairly common at trade shows, we wanted the booth to have a more minimal and targeted appearance to gravitate attention to the center of the booth. We chose the iconic Eames lounge chair as it is a piece that is immediately recognizable, but with a custom twist.
To compliment the geometric pattern, and clean lines of the white panels, we chose to create marbled acrylic prints in our studio:
These prints were developed into a dark, low-contrast, grayscale version for the custom upholstery of the Eames lounge chair...
... as well as a brightly colored variation for the material samples and accent triangles on either end of the floor.
The marbled prints were made by hand, on paper with acrylic paints, and then manipulated in Photoshop and integrated into the wall design development in Illustrator. Renderings were produced in SketchUp and Maxwell Render to help our client visualize the space, as well as to serve as a guide in the final installation of the booth at IDS14.
Digital Print Specialties at IDS14.
