NextGen Cape Breton Covers Planar Creations' Tile Art Business

Protocase Inc. recently launched its newest division. Planar Creations, the maker of artistic custom tiles, uses Protocase's mass customization equipment to bring the project to life.

With this latest venture, Protocase has combined their versatile mass manufacturing operation with an ancient craft to create a modern form of commercial and residential artwork.

“It’s a new artistic medium,” explains Doug Milburn, Vice President of Protocase and head of the Planar Creations division. The formation of the new division was inspired by Cape Breton creativity and Milburn credits the music and culture of the island played a developmental role. The striking and customized tiles pair together art and functionality; the tiles are both visually compelling and useful for all spaces in commercial or residential properties.

Planar Creations products are well-suited to commercial uses, allowing businesses to have their office spaces and stores appealing to clients. The tiles can be designed to portray business logos or brands. Residential custom tiles can be used for detailed décor on floors, counter tops, tub surrounds or backsplashes. Planar Creations work with many materials including, porcelain, ceramic, vinyl, even carpeting materials are being considered.

The process in which the custom tiles are created is extremely detail oriented and intricate. Designs are first produced through software and then transferred to the water jet cutter which creates the designs on tiles through water pressure nearly twice the speed of light.

Planar Creations is getting ready to launch their ‘Design a Day’ campaign. Encouraging artistic amateurs to create tile designs, custom tiles will be featured through their website and upcoming catalog.

Originally appeared in NextGen Cape Breton’s March 8, 2013 newsletter.

It's 8am on an otherwise ordinary looking February Morning, except that today (Feb 13) is Planar Creation's grand opening. I was thinking on my way in about how having a grand opening presents today as a beginning. That's true in a way, but like most 'beginnings', there are deep roots that go back a long way.

Planar Creations' roots are firmly planted in a company called Protocase (www.protocase.com). At first glance, the connection is probably not obvious, as Protocase makes electronic enclosures for engineers and designers, a subject far removed from tile art. However, Protocase works in a highly creative part of engineering. Its customers begin with visions of the electronic devices that they are creating, and, simply stated, Protocase is in the business of turning their creative thoughts into real physical objects, as quickly and simply as possible.

We've become very successful at the process of making physical copies of creative thoughts, and, after a while, we began to see other places where we could apply what we've learned. I have one foot planted in another fascinating creative field, architecture (through my role as founder of a company called Advanced Glazings Ltd.)  This made me aware of the challenge that architects face in turning their creative visions into reality. They are always constrained by the availability of products and contracting services. There is no point designing something that can't be built. Also, there is no point designing something that is too expensive for their client to pay for, or something with a lead time too long to fit the construction schedule.

The final part of the inspiration comes from living on the island of Cape Breton, surrounded by artists and musicians. These people create beauty on a daily basis, but I'm often struck by how difficult it is for many of them to make a living.

Then came our own creative leap: what if we could harness this largely untapped sea of creativity, and turn it into reality through our own advanced manufacturing processes? Could we make it practical and cost-effective for ordinary people to integrate art in their homes and businesses?

Well, it's now opening day, and we're actually up and running. Stay tuned to see how the story unfolds.

Doug Milburn