Technology X Tradition, New in the Library

This year at NeoCon, Design Pool is releasing two new collections. First is our collection Light Play, inspired by shadow and light and perfect for the innovative new window film Veilish. The second collection, Technology X Tradition, was also conceived for a particular material, or more accurately, machinery. The Dimensor-S 3D texture printer is a revolutionary new tactile printer that adds dimension to flat surfaces such as wallcovering. When Kristen saw what this new printer was capable of, she was inspired to design a collection that shows off this groundbreaking technology.

Technology X Tradition

This collection is a cross between traditional textile techniques, specifically embroidery and cross stitch, and today’s technology. How do those interact and intersect? The idea for this collection percolated after Kristen read Embroidering Her Truth: Mary Queen of Scots and the Language of Power by Clare Hunter, as well as by an episode of the Haptic and Hue podcast, Samplers and the Hands That Made Them. Both works discuss how women used embroidery and visual imagery to tell their stories. Both detail the types of symbolism women used to express themselves and communicate.

While designing the seven patterns in this collection, Kristen reflected on how people are still doing that, but with new tools and different technology. On one hand, this collection explores the history of embroidery and the symbolism used by embroiderers. Yet, it also looks at the imagery of today. This collection asks, what symbols do we use now to tell our personal stories? What types of technology are impacting us in 2024? At its core, this collection is about the traditional and contemporary ways people express themselves.

The patterns are rich with symbols that communicate life in 2024.

Kristen created these designs by using symbols to express her thoughts on issues such as running a small business. Also, she was inspired by the latest AI technology and the questions it raises about creativity, copyrights, and design. Similarly to the award-winning Cryptology Collection, these designs stand on their own, but their symbolism layers on a deeper meaning.

For example, in AI Sampler, Kristen uses words that look like a traditional sampler, except the words are what one would input into AI to generate a pattern design. There are also patterns with more personal symbols of where she’s lived and a calendar of her mood. All the patterns look like cross stitch, and when printed, they feel rich in dimension.

Design Pool partnered with Roland DGA and Wheelhouse Graphix for printing. This water-based system uses PVC-free vinyl media, making it safe and sustainable. This printer reveals endless possibilities for interior design projects. Orders are printed on-demand, allowing designers to specify in a way that reduces waste in manufacturing.

Photo credit: Christine McShane Creative