Ceramic materials, from colours to virtual reality | by Andrea Serri

A focus on ceramic products in their countless colours and the use of virtual reality to visualise finished installations were among the most interesting trends in ceramic products and their applications observed at Cersaie, the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings held in September and attended by more than 112,000 visitors.

Today, product development has reached levels that were simply unimaginable just a few years ago. The Italian ceramic tile industry’s tireless efforts to develop new solutions by rethinking all aspects of industrial product design have enabled it to further expand its product range. In particular, the return of colour has opened up new areas of application while at the same time consolidating the role of tile as an interior design accessory.

In keeping with Industry 4.0 principles, today’s ceramic factories are able to optimise product design and the use of colour, and in the case of large orders can even plan production batches to meet specific requests. This adds a sense of exclusivity to the spaces where tiles are installed, bringing clear advantages in terms of brand identity in the field of non-residential building.

Another new development is the use of augmented reality in the world of construction, for example by using dedicated software to create a virtual experience of the way ceramic materials can be installed inside buildings. With the option of choosing from any product in the catalogue, this makes it possible to engage emotionally and rationally with customers and allows them to make a fully-informed choice. Although this technology is still in its infancy, it offers very interesting potential and prospects.

 

November 2019