Design and Concepting
The process for a Safari Collective rug begins with a journey of gathering inspiration. Disregarding specific subject matter, I pull elements that lend themselves to flat color and the feeling I’m trying to achieve. Some favorite references include travel postcards, vintage poster design, architecture, interior design, plants and the ocean.
After creating a library of resources from these wide origins, I utilize AI to generate a range of initial designs based on specific scenic prompts. A prompt example could be "a monstera plant basking on a sunny beach at dusk." Exploiting the hallmarks of AI-generated images that some may perceive as flaws, this process allows me to sift through my sense of design to carefully curate elements that speak to the Safari Collective ethos. This ensures each piece exudes its unique flair, blending playful elegance with a touch of curiosity.
After image generation and refinement, the designs go through additional rounds of editing, projecting, tracing, and tufting that each imparts its own hand into the design, leaving them transformed.
Frame Prep and Design Transfer
When it’s time to tuft, the preparation begins with stretching and centering a 100% cotton fabric panel on a sturdy frame. Then using a projector, the design is illuminated onto the back of the canvas to be traced. This step allows for the embellishment of details, simplification where needed, and edits that play with light and shadow to bring the design into focus. Each decision brings us further from the original images and inspiration, and closer to bringing to life a unique piece of joyful art to be enjoyed in your home.
Tufting
Once the canvas is prepared, the tufting gun is loaded with vibrant acrylic yarns. Deciding how to use color to depict light, form, and shape is a key consideration in my process. Safari Collective boasts a palette of about 70 different hues. Each rug typically incorporates between 5 and 20 distinct yarn colors.
When the trigger is pressed, the tufting gun's needle delicately guides yarn through the fabric, forming plush piles on the front side. The duration of the trigger press and the gun's speed dictate the height and density of these yarn strands. Initially, the shapes are carefully outlined and intricate sections tackled, laying the groundwork for the composition. Gradually, larger areas are filled, methodically building depth and texture.
As the rug progresses, I continuously refine each detail, allowing one element to inform the handling of the next. Tufting demands patience and attention to detail but offers room for adjustment. Each stitch contributes to the evolving narrative of the piece, and the dialogue between the material and my hand are key to the final outcome.
Gluing, Backing and Finishing
Once the tufting is complete, layers of latex glue are applied from the back to secure the tufts firmly in place, ensuring durability. As it dries, the rug stays carefully stretched on the frame to preserve the desired shape, which can be simple or complex. Next, a secondary backing layer is added for extra stability and protection, making sure the back of the rug looks nice and finished.
Lastly, the shaping and carving of the final details is completed. Shearing ensures uniform fiber lengths for clean lines, while carving adds an artistic touch, defining intricate details and enhancing texture. The Safari Collective approach to carving varies: sometimes I forgo carving, leaving the edges more blended, akin to an impasto painting; other times, I choose to carve to achieve more defined finish or highlight specific elements.