From the Sample Board to the Finished Product is a new series all inspired by the very popular series of From the Mood Board to the Finished Product. We often discuss in the workshops the difference between a sample board and a mood board, and today’s post will hopefully give you an answer if you ever wondered.
The sample board once finished and approved gives a perfect idea of
a// materials that are going to be used
b// a concrete color range
c// how materials and colors harmonize all together in the final project
A mood board provides an overall look and feel where both, emotional and rational keywords are used. A mood board uses images, a sample board concentrates on materials and color.
Lievore Altherr Molina is a Barcelona based studio specializing in Product Design, Consulting and Creative Direction. We love their all-round strategy of creating a creative concept integrating product design AND its communication.
Here go three examples of a sample board and the finished product, and its translation is perfect.
1// CATIFA 46
Originally designed in 2004 by Italian brand Arper for contract and big space use, Catifa 46 has received a make-over including a range of a soft yet complex palette: rosé, petrol, yellow, ivory and smoke. The sample board plays with fabrics, a sample for the chair legs and color swatches.
2// CATIFA 53
The original series that started it all, Catifa 53, is reimagined for 2016 with a matte plastic or leather finish, lending sophistication and modern character to the quintessential form. Shade selections of white, ivory, gold, sand, caramel, café, antrazit or black lend natural elegance to matte plastic. The new finish option of durable, natural tanned leather telecasts easy sophistication.
Giving the fabric samples extra volume and depth, makes the composition more interesting to the viewer. However the focus is on the piece of leather because of its size and way it is placed. It stands out and is not fully integrated in the rest of the composition as the other materials are.
3// CATIFA SENSIT
The older brother of C53, Catifa Sensit is a supportive frame for at work or home. The added functionality of a higher reclining backrest liberates Sensit from the boardroom and invites the supportive chair into the lounge for extended seating contexts.
The brightest color is displayed on the top and allows the eye to go down visualizing the darker palette with natural flow. The metal sample stands out because of its different nature on the board, but as well due to its round shape and placement outside the invisible border. In addition, its shadow underlines the message.
And this is the result of all three sample boards and the entire collection. It matches perfectly proving how important it is to have a red thread from your initial creative concept to the execution and communication in print and web.
Let’s sum up the learnings here:
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A sample board shows basically materials and color (no images). It allows to concentrate only on these aspects
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It becomes more interesting if you work with different volumes to create depth
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Symmetry is interesting but whenever including different materials, they immediately stand out. Choose wisely.
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Work your color palette clear to dark from top to bottom to allow the eye a natural flow
The three sample boards forward the exact amount of information necessary to understand the material and color palette involved in the design and share a great sense of style and aesthetics too. We love it!
