We fell for Alex’s design sensibilities a couple years ago when we picked up his self published book The Incredible Journey That Is Consciousness by 5×7. The pages are and endless stream of glorious shapes, but we knew there was more to it than just that. Turns out Alex is inspired by the principles of the Bauhaus (us too) and he just loves the geometry of shapes (us too). So beyond his full time job as a Design Director at Leo Burnett, and family member of The Post Family, he turned out some rad patterns for us. Read on to learn all about what’s in Alex’s head and check out the results of our fabulous new bedding collection Shapes, for adults, kids and babies.
Your book, The Incredible Journey That is Consciousness, along with a poster, inspired the Geometry/Shapes poster you did for Unison. Which eventually led to bedding. How did the book originally come about and what was the inspiration?
The inspiration for the book came from Bauhaus design theory where the 3 primary colors are conceptually paired with the 3 primary shapes. We took that foundation and freely composed spreads.
This is the first time you’ve worked on a home design collaboration. What was the process like for you?
Amazing. I created a lot of little parameters for myself to keep the exploration on track. It helped to limit the amount of scaling and making sure to lock shapes to a strict grid. I made about 50 different patterns and compositions before finding the right density. I also learned a lot about the production process and how to get the most out of a sheet of printed fabric.
Can you talk a little bit about your overall creative process? Do things happen fast and furiously, or are you more methodical?
I came into this project with a strong vision based on the evolution of the book. I knew the building blocks, just needed to explore a spectrum of densities and color permutations based on seasonal trends.
I always start with a creative challenge then build a strong point of view of how to execute against that with research and exploration. By the time I start actually producing executions it’s pretty well sorted and quick to get to that end goal. Think more, design less.
Would you say there is any “signature” of your work? An aesthetic that surfaces time and time again, or a theme or underlying meaning?
I believe my aesthetics are a byproduct of my reductive process. I’m always trying to get to the heart of the challenge and expose that raw purpose.
What draws you to shapes and geometry? And, further to that, would you have any comments on how your shapes designs could be seen as “random yet rhythmic”?
I am drawn to the fundamental building blocks of our visual language. It’s a universal language and full of meaning. Take a triangle for instance. Facing north it represents a male symbol, south a female symbol. Add the color pink and it represents a movement around sexual orientation. Add the color red, it’s Bass beer. It’s also the strongest architectural form. I feel like I could spend a life time learning shapes and colors.
Unison first aimed to have this bedding be for kids and baby but decided to take it into the adult market, too. Did you aim for it to have an ageless feel?
My hope is that by using the building blocks of primary geometry I can design timeless compositions and color can shift audience appeal. The subtle light gray works for an older audience and the bright pastels more for the youngsters.
Now that you’ve delved into home design, anything next in that arena for you?
I am hoping to continue producing more patterned surface designs and extend into furniture and product design.
