Colours

Everyone views colours differently.

The Relativity of Colour - Inspired by Josef Albers 

One of the main ideas of colour theory is relative - one’s perception of colour changes according to the context. Colours can appear differently when they are placed with other colours. How colours are perceived by us may be different from how they are in reality and are dependent on a number of factors. Everyone perceives colour differently. A colour when placed on a dark colour may appear lighter. This same colour when placed on a lighter colour may appear darker.

Here it may seem unbelievable that both colours are the same, but lift the centre piece and you will realise they are the same. This effect is very prominent on leather goods as leather of the same family or type are usually made with the same tone but different colours.  We can use this effect to make our leather design and products stand out. Hence, using not just the right colour, but the right surrounding colours for your projects matter as well.

Subtraction of Colour - Inspired by Josef Albers

Using the same concept, a darker colour can look lighter when placed on another dark colour. A lighter colour can look darker when placed on a lighter colour. This results in, the darker and lighter colour giving the illusion of looking like the same colour. Both hearts becomes unrecognisable and they lose their true identity. The quarter-circles below shows that they are of different colours. This effect is very prominent on leather goods as leather of the same family or type are usually made with the same tone but different colours. Hence, using not just the right colour, but the right surrounding colours for your projects matter as well.

 

Marquetry

The above two pieces are also simple examples of marquetry in leather. Each piece of leather must be of the same thickness and the shapes are cut to fit each perfectly. The pieces will then be placed together, similar to how puzzles are, careful care is needed to ensure that each piece joins up perfectly at each edge.

Customisation can be done with leather marquetry as well. A design that you have drawn out, a cartoon character that you love, a scenery these can be converted to leather marquetry forming a picture, a piece of leather that is yours. 

We will talk more about leather marquetry in another blog post.

 

Adaptability  

 

Leather can adapt or mold to fit objects it holds. 

For example, a leather cardholder can stretch to fit more cards than it is supposed to hold.

Though moldable, leather is still durable. The knowledge of each type of leather will affect the structure and function of the leather goods. 

Furthermore, personalisation/customisation can be in multiple forms, apart from hotstamping, personalisation such as molding of leather, can be done, creating shapes and layers unique to you.