Project Echo is a new endeavour in colour, materials and finish (CMF) by the team of Industrial Design creatives at Thompson Aero Seating

Background

Thompson has long been established as a leader in the design, innovation and production of luxury seating and we are now turning the spotlight on CMF; an often-overlooked area of expertise in seating design. Our starting point has been to give our own Vantage range of seats a visual coherence that makes the products stand together as a brand but that still gives each seat its own individuality. This new aesthetic supports our new company brand, revealed last year.

Inspiration

We have been inspired by our surroundings, using the essence, or echoes, of Thompson’s Northern Irish heritage and key colour trends. Through these, we have created a narrative that is a reflection of our culture. We have interpreted the colours and textures into visuals and showcased these in the latest Vantage seating range. Using nature and the chemistry of its colours as our influence we have brought our brand aesthetic to life, layering tinted darks along with pops of brighter colours and highlights to capture the spirit of the land. The result is a feeling of quiet luxury.

Certification

All materials used in Project Echo are based on ready-for-flight options and grounded in certification reality. Throughout the design process, functionality and maintenance have been carefully considered in terms of the light-coloured surfaces and fabric choices.

Standardisation

Project Echo has the advantage of standardising many of the materials used within the Vantage seating range. This makes the supply of materials easier to manage and achieves economies of scale. While cohesion and unification has been important, each seating product still looks quite individual with the different layering of textures and colours.

“The aim has been to give a premium feel, with great attention to detail and the use of high-quality materials, conveying a sense of elegance, sophistication, and quiet luxury.”

Over to you….. 

Through Project Echo we are offering airlines a neutral starting point from which their own brand can be developed. Airline customers will be able to view the Vantage seating range with the new Project Echo designs at AIX 2024 in Hamburg. How will you be inspired?

Thompson’s seating range within Project Echo

Vantage

The redesign has introduced a lighter outer shell with a darker inner core. This, married with natural stones and lighter woods, gives a distinct aura of quality.

VantageXL

An intense dark surround and sumptuous leather inner give the VantageXL a subtle confidence. The enhanced front row conveys first class with deep moss-greens and velvety suedes.

VantageSOLO

The enhanced front row of the VantageSOLO uses soft tan leather as a pop of colour. The CMF options correlate with the changing offering, defining each category of seat.

VantageDUO

The VantageDUO cocoons the passenger in a dark fabric wrapping, highlighted with a lighter inner seat and light stone worktops. Premium leathers bring a feel that is as good as the look.

"The overall design feel of the Echo palette is a warm, natural and dramatic selection of colours and textures one might find while wrapped up in a handmade scarf in a windy autumn garden."
John Walton, Runway Girl Network
“Thompson’s CMF team has experimented with colours and textures, with a layering of tinted darks, along with pops of brighter colours and highlights to capture the spirit of the land, and different applications for each seat model in the Thompson range.”
Aircraft Interiors International
“Weaving A Narrative Of Irish Culture In CMF.”
Flightchic