卡尔罗宾森
卡尔罗宾森（Carl Robinson）
Carl Robinson出生壁纸艺术世家，其祖父、父亲皆为美国当代最著名的壁纸设计大师，现任wallquest的设计总监。Carl Robinson承袭了家族100年的壁纸设计血统，累积了25年的设计精随，耗时18个月编辑完成的“Carl Robinson”第一本同名样本，内容无论是时装风格的刺绣、表面印刷的设计面料、丝网印刷金属斑点的软木表面，均呈现了丰富完美的极致设计，它同时也结合了欧美25年来住宅市场在壁纸设计与制造上的充沛经验，堪称为09年度壁纸设计之最。
Design is in the Robinson family's blood.
Carl Robinson was born to a prominent designer in England, and his father's father was a noted designer as well. Carl is a dad now, too, and...
"I think there's something in the genes, in the blood," Carl Robinson says, laughing. "I remember, growing up, my father would come home from work with designs and big pattern books. And he'd often take me to work. He loved what he did, and from a very early age I found it all very interesting. What's funny is my son, Harry, isn't even two yet and - maybe I'm imagining this - but I'd swear I saw him looking at patterns on the wall and pointing to them. So what does that tell you?"
Robinson started his career working for his father then worked at Burlington Wallcoverings and also Graham & Brown in England. By 2000, he was serving as a consultant for Wallquest, Inc., one of the world's most innovative wallpaper manufacturers, whose brands include Pelican Prints, Fairwinds Studios, Sandpiper Studios and Printers Guild Productions. Finally, in 2003, Robinson joined the Wallquest team on a full-time basis and today is the company's Design Director.
"I love what I do," Robinson says. "From a business perspective, the most satisfying thing is when you know you've got orders. It means people are interested in what you've created, that they're excited about it. And when you walk onto the shop floor and there are large rolls there, rolls with patterns you designed, and lots of them, you feel like you've created something special. You want people to appreciate and enjoy what you do; that's ultimately what it's all about."
Robinson considers himself lucky to have found his niche at Wallquest. It's a family-owned business, he notes, and they treat him like a son. Speaking from a creative point of view, he describes his position as Design Director as one of the best in the industry. "We really get to do it all, and there's a team mentality behind everything," Robinson says. "Unlike some of the very large, very corporate companies, there's a fluidity and flexibility at Wallquest. We're not held back. If we have an idea, we can pursue it. Just to have that freedom is very important. And with our size we can move fast. We can bring something to market in just three months, which is exciting."
The latest brand to come to market is particularly exciting and personal to Robinson, and for good reason. It bears his name. Robinson admits that he was "apprehensive" when asked to create his own collection. He began the process immediately and spent almost a year putting together Carl Robinson Edition 1, which is available in showrooms and better decorating stores.
"I purchase many designs from the best studios in the world, creating the collections for Wallquest," Robinson says. "I created my first collection by collecting and saving the most exceptional designs that I felt were worthy of being in my first collection. And if I ever need a second opinion I turn to our talented studio personnel here at Wallquest for their input. It's the culmination of my 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing wallpaper."
Robinson lives with his wife, Melissa, and their son Harry in Pennsylvania. Robinson laughs when asked how proud and pleased he'd be if Harry someday elects to follow in the family tradition. "I'd be very interested in seeing that happen if that's what Harry wants," Robinson says. "I think I have a great job. If he picks it up from me or if it's really in his blood, I'd be thrilled."