Elysian 9 Soft Tip Darts by Target

Intro
The Elysian.
Target’s annual project that represents our vision for the future. The objective has remained the same for 9 years, deliver an experience that transcends darts and challenges the construct of what a dart can be.
A unified effort from everyone within Target, Elysian is a platform from which we can creatively express our vision and create something truly beautiful.

Speed
Designating each new Elysian project with a theme allows us to explore unique and interesting subjects, pushing our creative expression and storytelling skills.
We believe that a rich and layered narrative provides the foundation from which we can develop honest creative responses, drawing from a wealth of research material to deliver an original experience that resonates with our fans.
For the Ninth Edition we chose a subject that would provide unique design opportunities. A world of possibilities, the element of speed breathing life into every design and detail of this poignant project.

Inspiration
The theme of Speed instantly set our minds racing. A vast landscape of visual material as human kind’s obsession with speed has been documented over thousands of years. From the sleek lines of a Roman arrow to the mind-warping physics behind hypersonic travel, the wealth of graphic material alongside interesting scientific examples provided us with a gigantic library of inspiration.


The Barrel
The journey of a barrel is born first from an idea. This starts as a design illustration and then moves across to 3D, from there onto a tool path then onto the milling machine.
There are many challenges within this process, but the part where metal begins to be milled is a thing of beauty.
To reach this final stage, the process has been scrutinised, 3D printed, refined and every small detail finely examined.
This is engineering at it’s best.
The birth of something special.

Colour
Inspired by captivating images of speed, the Elysian Ninth Edition combines a range of PVD coatings that communicates movement even when the dart is stationary.
The front of the dart features a PVD Chrome coating, this highlights the experimental asymmetric lines and vent style cuts which are precisely milled along the front of the barrel. This coating is also extended across the bespoke Swiss Storm Point to create a fluid and purposeful looking dart.
This is contrasted by a polychromatic PVD coating on the rear. The colour shifts and changes under different lighting, providing perfect framing of the cage milled design that wraps around the back of this mesmerising barrel.

Machining
Multiple processes are used to achieve the finished outcome of the Elysian. This is the process for the barrel only. Point and shaft are milled separately.
After the 95% billet is selected it is profiled to shape the dart, at this point of the process the threads for shaft and Swiss Point are tapped.
The grip of the dart is then revealed as it is milled for a total of 55 minutes.
Once machined, the barrel is PVD coated, Silica on the front and Chrome on the rear.
The barrel is then placed inside a custom masking rig which only exposes areas of the front of the barrel. The front is then hand sand blasted using a specially selected grade of material to give the desired finish.
The central rings are re-machined to separate the cuts and finishes on the barrel.
After a strict QC the barrels can then be assembled.

Box Design
The Elysian display box is where the experience begins. The vehicle in which our creative expression is first shown and the point at which we begin to tell the story of dart within.

Our box design was based around the concept of depicting movement in a stationary form. We printed a graphic pattern of the Elysian 9 rear grip design onto silk material. We then pulled and stretched this material to create an image that likened that of a high-speed object creating a wake or ripple.
We then worked over this image, adding in layers of moving particles, speed lines and holographic foil highlights. The result is a design that uniquely communicates the essence of speed and movement.

Sculpture
Functional art. We believe that the Elysian deserves a bespoke stand that allows you to display your limited edition darts in a captivating and interesting way.
Our Ninth Edition stand is inspired by the flowing lines of movement that influenced the Elysian barrel design.
Two profiled discs are suspended apart, connected by one supporting arm creating a dramatic but simple form. This single piece of cast steel is then coated in a black PVD coating to create this beautiful functional sculpture.