Swatchcloud aims to provide a “Searchable Online Visual Material Library” to connect designers to material suppliers, allowing designers to find the right materials quicker. It will be a designer friendly UX, and agnostic to suppliers.

Suppliers can reduce their postage and brochure manufacturing costs, and avoid obsolescence. They can find designers looking for their materials that they haven’t considered approaching. Smaller manufacturers without large marketing budgets or expertise can be represented, creating a more level playing field for suppliers of niche materials.

There will be an environmental positive impact, as postage and brochure production is reduced.