heath journal
Arc Tile: Behind the Design
Have you taken an up-close look at Arc? Heath’s newest tile collection combines stenciling and glaze gradients to give pattern lovers a flexible tool to create dynamic, high-impact installations. Each of its ten colorways feature two beloved Heath glazes that interact in the kiln to create mesmerizing effects: some fade seamlessly, while others bubble and break up to create rich, unexpected textures. It’s a sight to behold!
A single piece of Arc tile is like a work of art unto itself (all thanks to the incredible artistry of our glazing team), but it’s only when these pieces are arranged into a pattern that the versatility and depth of the collection comes into focus. Using a mixture of Arc and Classic Field tiles, we developed six ready-made patterns, but if you’re feeling creative, the possibilities are endless. We can’t wait to see what people come up with.
If you’re curious about Arc’s origins, how it’s glazed, and if it’s right for your next project, read on for insights from its chief architect: Industrial Designer Dan Villareal.
A single piece of Arc tile is like a work of art unto itself (all thanks to the incredible artistry of our glazing team), but it’s only when these pieces are arranged into a pattern that the versatility and depth of the collection comes into focus. Using a mixture of Arc and Classic Field tiles, we developed six ready-made patterns, but if you’re feeling creative, the possibilities are endless. We can’t wait to see what people come up with.
If you’re curious about Arc’s origins, how it’s glazed, and if it’s right for your next project, read on for insights from its chief architect: Industrial Designer Dan Villareal.
How'd the idea for Arc come about?
While working on a custom commission last year, we ended up doing a lot of exploration with stenciling and layered glazes. This process left us feeling very inspired, and even after the project was finished, the exploration continued. We have such a rich catalog of glazes to pull from, so it’s always exciting to try different combinations and see what happens. We did extensive testing (I have a gigantic stack of test tiles to prove it!) to find the right colors, textures, and moods that make up the Arc palette.How exactly are Arc tiles made?
Essentially, Arc tiles are made by applying several layers of glaze using a combination of stenciling and a fade technique. When two glazes are layered, it can create a really special and interesting “third zone” where the two glazes interact. All of Heath’s glazes are applied and sprayed by hand, but it takes a truly skilled hand to achieve the smooth fade you see on Arc tile—it’s a real testament to the expertise of our glazing team. There are a host of other important steps in setting up tooling, working with multiple glazes, and the high-touch fade technique that make Arc a high-craft offering—and that’s not even going into forming and firing!
Did any past Heath designs inform Arc?
The custom commission I mentioned had a big influence on Arc, but really, the kind of experimentation that led us here is something we do constantly at Heath. Fans of our seasonal collections know that we’ve used gradients and stenciling techniques there, but this is the first time we’ve explored these ideas on tile. We’re really happy with the results!How did you land on these glaze combinations?
We’re lucky to have a large glaze palette to work with, and we know our glazes well enough to have a pretty good idea of what to expect when we combine them in the kiln. For Arc, we wanted to give ourselves freedom to explore new, unknown glaze combinations. The results of those experiments were surprisingly beautiful, so we included some of them in the final palette.Balance, range, and newness were the three key ideas behind the Arc palette. Since it’s a new kind of product for Heath, we wanted to make sure that the palette felt fresh. At the same time, balance and range are two key principles that we apply to every product, so I think many of these glaze combinations feel pretty quintessentially Heath, too.
What kind of customer (or project) is Arc for?
Arc is for any designer or homeowner looking for unique, high-impact elements. I picture it in a statement powder room, a feature wall, or a fireplace. Public spaces seem like a natural fit, too: train stations, libraries, hotels, restaurants, etc. We came up with six original (and, if you ask me, very beautiful) patterns to get people started, but part of Arc’s magic is in its flexibility. It’s made up of two simple shapes that can be laid out in endless combinations, so any designer who wants to get creative will have a blast spinning those tiles around and stumbling upon new patterns. Once you get into it, it can be addicting!Feeling inspired by Arc? Stop by a showroom or order a sample to see it up close, and reach out to our tile team when you’re ready to give it a spin for yourself.
