Color Design + Development
the creation, application, and production process.
While at Fusion Specialties, I was frequently tasked with C/M/F projects. Color selection, application, mass production, quality, and management were all duties under my position. I was responsible for recording paint and finish recipes, creating spec sheets for replication processes, overseeing cloth mannequin fabrics and patterns, managing the color [plaque] library for both company and client brand colors.
The goal was to match, mimic, or customize retail merchandising for large and small brands, such as:
In addition to jumping in and dusting off skilled techniques and some hands-on application, I was also responsible for thorough documentation (paint recipes, spec sheets, instructional processes, and cataloguing). My position was the communication point for sales, purchasing, engineering, creative development, and the factory work force.
By mixing and layering color applications, speccing in-mold color, working with materials (polyurethane, fiberglass, and fabric covered foam mannequins); innumerable customizations were requested.
Many (wo)man hours are put in to experiment, test, & customize.
DEVELOPMENT
NIKE x NORDSTROM
Toile de jouy Jacquard
Nike x Nordstrom mixed media forms. Top half fabric covered head and bust combine with the bottom painted polyurethane leg form. The objective was to tonally color match between the fabric and the paint.
DEVELOPMENT
KATE SPADE
Suede-Covered Head Form
Kate Spade custom shaped hat-form. The project objective was to locate a velvet/suede fabric color matched to the brand’s iconic pink color. The fabric pattern construction needed to be smoothly and snuggly fit over the unorthodox shaped head form. Another, less costly, polyurethane version was created and painted in a color matched “ultra matte” paint.
DEVELOPMENT
NEW BALANCE
This project required a concept of leather and wood. Two bust forms were created: a navy and a leather brown. Combined with the hand-applied faux aging technique, the combination met the brief. All samples and forms were hand applied and inspected for details to mimic texture and depth. The color matching, hand applied deco, and assembly was the most cost-effective solution to meet the brief.
