Argomenti dell'insegnamento
The course will support the development of practical skills and knowledge, aiming to build up a base of knowledge and understanding concerning the world of materials in general as well as taking a closer look towards specific materials and production techniques in the context of design. In parallel, the course encourages the development of a critical attitude on the eco-social impact of our material choices here and now, and how to look differently at the relationships between humans, objects, materials and systems running our planet.
Understanding materials requires personal engagement with matter. Due to the transformable character of materials, we cannot rely on general understanding or indirect knowledge. “Plastics can be as clear as glass, as sharp-edged as stone, and as metallic as aluminum. Aluminum can look like quicksilver, wood can look like plastic” (Paola Antonelli, Mutant Materials in Contemporary Design, 1995). Therefore, the course focuses on the creation and adaptation of materials and material qualities exploring the mutable character and formability of matter.
Just like the shape of a product, materiality can be designed. To go beyond surface and finishing, this course involves the creation of so-called do-it-yourself materials (working with ingredients and recipes) and the adaptation (changing the material properties) of existing materials in order to understand their (mutable) character. This hands-on approach of working with materials will support our sensorial skills to better understand, create and select appropriate materials for future design projects.
The industrial processing of materials (involving extraction, production, distribution, consumption, disposal and/or recycling) will be reviewed in the context of bio-based cycles where composting often closes the cycle. The course includes a special focus on the lifecycle of materials based on the principles of a circular economy including the elimination of waste and pollution, circulating products and materials and the regeneration of nature.
Every semester includes hands-on exercises with different materialities, waste(d) material streams such as bio-based materials (e.g. food waste) and industrial scraps. Along this material driven approach we are encouraging any form of collaboration, relations and synergies with other fields and courses (e.g. design research, “Material Matters” student initiative, BITZ Fablab, Material Library). The course program is adaptive and foresees possible support in developing the material aspects of the student’s main projects.
Modalità di insegnamento
Input lectures: Focusing on diverse material topics for discussion. Topics:“Material activism / Introduction to DIY Materials” – “Recycling materials / Urban mining” – “Bio-based materials / Back to nature?” – “Social materials / Inclusive ways of making” – “Circular design / The lifecycle of materials”.
Guest lectures: Diverse guest speakers will give us a better insight in the business practices of materials. First, from the perspective of young creatives starting their own material-driven design studio. Second, with entrepreneurial input from a materials manufacturing company. Finally, we learn more from material experts about the role and importance of documenting and sharing materials within “Material Libraries”.
Material tinkering: DIY-Materials are materials created through self-production, often by techniques and processes of the designer’s own invention, as a result of a process of tinkering with materials. We will make first experiences with this kind of work and investigate / tinker one or more recycled and growing materials. Including the further development of (raw) materials through processes involving shaping, colouring and surface treatments.
Excursions: We will be visiting and/or reviewing materials-related events and exhibitions. Through on-site excursions and online presentations we will take a closer look at the role(s) of circular and bio-based materials in design. Small summaries of these excursions are part of the final documentation.
Skill sharing: This course is not only about learning from the lecturers and guests. We also put high value on the dialogue between the participants and will support this process of skill sharing. The content and format of the courses will be fine-tuned according to the dialogues, collaborations and dynamics of you as a group.
Learning by doing: Learning by doing: The approach of this semester project is very much on “Learning by Doing”, also for its lecturers. Hands-on exercises at the university workshops and fab lab should support you in becoming more skilled and independent in materialising your ideas. Parts of the course should be seen as an experimental teaching formats and will adapt according to your needs.