Matt W. Moore’s Op Art takes on new forms in his most functional venture yet
From what we’ve seen from Matt W. Moore, the Portland, Maine-based artist behind MWM Graphics, he leaves no question that he’s rabidly productive. And now, he’s taking his signature “Vectorfunk” optical artwork one step further into a new dimension (literally) with the debut of a four-piece collection of design objects called Core Deco. Created with the help of friends skilled in different disciplines—from manufacturing to silkscreening—the inventive ceramic tile coaster set, shelves and jacquard afghans are all made in the U.S with function as their goal. We talked to Moore about the story behind his designs and the unusual approach he took to the brand’s site.
How long did it take to develop the collection?
Core Deco has been years in the making. I’ve always had a desire to design and produce functional design, furniture and home goods. This past winter I decided to go full speed ahead with it.
What challenges did you encounter when transforming your designs into three dimensions?
I am pretty good at imagining how a graphic or mural will look in an environment before it is created. But for the three-dimensional products I have been making cardboard mockups… Learning the benefits and limitations of a manufacturing process is the best way to push it as far as it can go.
The presentation of your products on the site, especially the videos, is refreshing.
Doing the videos is a great way to show the dimensionality of the 3D items. Seeing how products exist in their environment is crucial and photos simply cannot tell the whole story. Especially the Diamond Corner Shelf. The shadows and geometry of it are awesome as you walk past it. With the Ceramic Tile video we are hinting at how awesome a bathroom or kitchen backsplash would look with a full-on mosaic of the tiles.
What influenced your designs?
My travels have really informed my design sensibility and the aesthetics that I gravitate toward. The tile mosaics of Spain and Brazil. The modern architecture of Moscow and Seattle. The beauty of nature and the juxtaposition of organic forms with man-made geometry. Coming into this realm of product design as an outsider has proven to be exponentially educational and exciting.
What are your plans with the range?
I plan to launch a new collection of goods each quarter, always focused on unique functional design.
In 2012, we’re planning some pop-up shop experiences around the Northeast. That will be a lot of fun, to go into an empty environment and trick it out with Core Deco goods — to really show how it all works together. We’re definitely open to building retail relationships with boutiques that share our vision.
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