Carocim x Baptiste Vandaele: The Cement Tile as a Graphic Playground
When centuries-old craftsmanship meets contemporary graphic design, the result is bound to be surprising. The collaboration between Maison Carocim and Baptiste Vandaele is a bold exploration of pattern. It transforms the cement tile, traditionally perceived as a fixed decorative element, into a dynamic and modular creative tool. Together, we have imagined collections that don't freeze space but animate it. Baptiste Vandaele brings his structured and playful vision, while Carocim brings the depth of the material. It's a meeting marked by creative freedom.
Baptiste Vandaele: From Graphic Design to Space
Designer, graphic artist, and illustrator, Baptiste Vandaele has a rich background that informs his approach to pattern. A graduate of the Beaux-Arts in Nancy in 2012, this Alsatian, now based in Paris, has made drawing his universal language, which he uses across a wide range of media: wallpaper, rugs, carpets, ceramics, and more. For him, pattern is not simply surface decoration; it is architecture. His work is distinguished by a constant pursuit of modularity. He enjoys creating systems, visual alphabets with which everyone can write their own story. This unique vision has attracted major names. Since 2017, he has regularly collaborated with the Mama Shelter hotel chain, designing iconic floors and walls from Paris to Lisbon, via Prague and Rome. His talent is also expressed through his brand "Burning for," where he celebrates the artisanal craftsmanship of hand-painted tableware.
A collaboration that shakes up the codes of the cement tile
For Carocim, Baptiste Vandaele took on an exciting challenge: using the constraint of the square format (20x20 cm) to create infinity. Far from classic friezes or central rosettes, his creations for Carocim are conceived as construction games. The cement tile becomes a module, a giant pixel. By playing with rotation, inversion, and assembly, a single tile can generate dozens of different designs on the floor.
The Art of Modular and Playful Pattern
What characterizes the collections born from this collaboration is their playful aspect. Baptiste Vandaele invites the user to become an active participant in their own décor. He provides the pieces of the puzzle, but it's up to you to compose the final image. His geometric patterns, with their clean lines and strong contrasts, allow for the creation of unique visual rhythms. You can opt for the rigor of strict alignment, or conversely, for the dynamism of a random arrangement. It's a decidedly modern approach to cement tiles, one that adapts to the architecture of the space rather than imposing a rigid design.
Materials in the Service of Graphic Design
While the design is digital and precise, the execution remains deeply handcrafted. This contrast is what makes this collaboration so powerful. The geometric rigor of Baptiste Vandaele's lines is softened by the grain of the cement and the vibrancy of the natural pigments. The handmade aspect adds that extra touch of soul, those subtle variations that bring the motif to life. With Carocim and Baptiste Vandaele, the graphic design is never cold; it is textured, warm, and enduring.
