In their third year, our students in DN Made Materials worked on a textile creation project applied to the world of umbrellas. This collaboration with the Piganiol House It allowed them to imagine and design original patterns, in line with contemporary trends and the values of local craftsmanship.
A project inspired by returning to nature
From inspiration to pattern: a designer's approach
Titled « A breath of the countryside – Getting back to nature», the workshop is part of a reflection around returning to nature, slowing down, and the search for meaning.
The students explored this theme through a sensitive approach to the landscape: vegetation, terrain, rain, silence, and movement fueled their research.
This initial immersion laid the groundwork for a coherent creation, rooted in careful observation of the territory and its atmospheres.
The work was structured into three characteristic stages of the methodology of DN Made Materials :
- Creation of a collective inspiration wall blending images, texts, materials, and color palettes; ;
- Personal graphic research through drawing, watercolor, ink and texture exploration; ;
- in-depth work on color, rhythm, and repetition.
Each student has developed a unique artistic direction. Countryside strolls, water reflections, mountainous landscapes, floral or abstract compositions: the proposals showcase a wide diversity of graphic styles, translated into original textile patterns.
From the sensitive to the technical
From Prototype to Object: The Umbrella as a Medium for Creation
Once the patterns were defined, students entered an essential technical structuring phase. The drawings were vectorized to adapt shapes and colors to the requirements of textile printing.
The patterns were then integrated into a hexagonal template, corresponding to the structure of the umbrella. This work required particular attention to the seams and the legibility of the pattern once the object was open.
Sublimation printing tests were carried out to adjust contrasts and compare the digital rendering with the textile material.
Thanks to the partnership with Maison Piganiol, the creations were applied to real umbrellas. This transition from pattern to object has transformed the graphic design into a tangible product, revealing the impact of volumetric and situational design. These umbrellas will be exhibited at the next Open houses.
This workshop illustrates Saint Géraud's commitment to offering challenging educational projects with direct links to local economic stakeholders. It highlights the dialogue between contemporary design and traditional know-how, while enabling students to affirm their ability to design coherent, sensitive objects rooted in their region.
