Our Story
Pattern Makers & Rule Breakers
Over ten years ago, the founders of Rollout had a vision to start a design studio where creativity could strive. A place where integrity and art could coexist with great design to make a viable commercial enterprise that would have the power to invigorate, inspire, and shake up established notions of wallpaper design in the commercial design industry. We would reinvent wallpaper.
“WE’VE NEVER FOLLOWED ANY OF THE TRADITIONAL RULES OF WALLPAPER BECAUSE, IN THE BEGINNING, WE DIDN’T KNOW THEM.”
Rollout was built on a promise. Starting out with a free commercial printer found on Craigslist offered on condition that we create a successful business with it, we experimented initially with large format printing on canvas. This eventually led to printing larger than life images to wallpaper. From the onset, the medium was a hit with the team. As co-founder, Jonathan Nodrick puts it, “I soon found printing larger-than-life images really exciting. After the first print, that was it. I was hooked.”
The early days of Rollout established us among a few creative organizations as rescuers of wallpaper, a medium that had lost its way as other design elements modernized. Our unique and fresh approach continues to be welcomed by designers looking for something new and different. It’s an approach that was stumbled upon by lucky accident and pursued with relentless determination. As Nodrick explains, “We’ve never followed any of the traditional rules of wallpaper, because in the beginning, we didn’t know them.” Some of Rollout’s early clients include Microsoft, Google, Holt Renfrew, Indigo and Starbucks, a clear indication of our success in using bold methods to reinvigorate wallpaper’s relevance.
"OUR STORY IS ABOUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE SHARING A COLLECTION OF IDEAS, IMAGES AND EXPERIENCES CENTERED AROUND A 'DO IT OURSELVES' PHILOSOPHY."
Our collective experience in environmental and communication design, coupled with involvement in the local art and design community in Calgary, Vancouver and ultimately in Toronto and New York City, led to quickly gained notoriety. After organizing and being involved in many integral creative endeavours, a growing creative following was established that helped to build the community of artists and designers that we still draw upon today to collaborate, inspire and continually innovate. Using an above the industry standard royalty incentive coupled with relationship building and advertising that is mutually beneficial to the artists and to us, we team with innovative artists who produce relevant design work to produce outstanding wallpaper designs.
"OVER A DECADE LATER I AM STILL IN DISBELIEF WE GET TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF MAKING COOL SHIT. EVERY DAY."
In the early years of the company, commissions were a mix of commercial and residential. Today, Rollout’s client base are predominately represented by commercial projects, spearheaded by some of the foremost designers and architects in the industry. We work with these leaders to bring their designs to life, supporting and reinforcing the brand messaging of national department stores, luxury and specialty retailers, boutique restaurants and hotels, hospitality, civic and educational spaces to create outstanding interior environments.
The Rollout studio is continually reinterpreting large scale artistic expressions on wallpaper, including recent additions to our Artist Series collection, which includes works that feature stunning explorations in abstract and figurative imagery. Included in our catalogue are wallpaper patterns that draw inspiration from many forms of visual art - from experimental street art and photographic imagery to abstract painting and surface explorations – all of which raise digitally printed wallpaper beyond the functional and into the spotlight of interior design.