Axminster carpet : visual design strategies for appearance retention

This project demonstrates how the functional life of wall-to-wall carpet can be extended through the visual design process. The judicious selection of visual design strategies and the way they are integrated into the woven surface has the capability of retaining vibrancy and a fresh appearance in Axminster wall-to-wall carpet In carrying out this research I have studied and then exploited the historical and contemporary languages of design, including: pattern structure, illusion of depth, the psychological and physiological influence of colour and the characteristics of optical colour mixing. The carpet prototypes illustrating the research outcomes have been specifically designed for the high foot-traffic demands of today's hospitality and leisure industries. In developing the outcomes of my research I have investigated historical precedents which have significantly contributed to present-day wall-to-wall carpet design. This includes the appropriation of central and western Asian cultural motifs by English weavers in the 16th century, the influence of fashion on carpet from the Neo-Classic period, the adoption of flat-coloured woven surfaces in Modernism and the influence of Postmodernism on interior architecture. The project also shows how forgotten design techniques such as those employed in Mamluk carpets can be applied in contemporary wall-to-wall carpet designs. While the research addresses the specific functional requirements of the hospitality and leisure industries, it also seeks to imbue the carpet prototypes with a sense of time and place by integrating imagery from Australia's natural environment and cultural heritage. In doing this my research demonstrates how the surface of wall-to-wall carpet can be a significant medium in articulating expressions of contemporary cultural relevance.