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Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World
This visually stunning investigation of natural and man-made materials will change the way you look at the world around you, while offering hope for the future of our planet.
What does it mean to live in a material world, and how do materials of the past and present hold the keys to our future? This book tackles these questions by focusing on various issues that human beings face and by discussing potential materials-related solutions. Through the lens of intriguing projects by designers, artists, makers, and scientists, it presents a colorful panoply of ideas, technologies, and creative efforts that focus on the earth's most basic elements, while also showing how these elements can be transformed into entirely new materials. It explores, for example, how ancient practices such as dyeing fabric and making glue may hold the secret to renewable and earth-friendly consumer products, as well as how recycling plastics can tackle food waste, and how a type of light metal being developed may one day make air travel less fuel-reliant. This book also investigates the potential of the digital experience, suggesting how this most ephemeral type of matter can be used to improve our world. Eye-catching and provocative, Why Materials Matter serves as both a stimulating catalog of possibilities and a timely manifesto on how to consume, manufacture, and design for a better future.
What does it mean to live in a material world, and how do materials of the past and present hold the keys to our future? This book tackles these questions by focusing on various issues that human beings face and by discussing potential materials-related solutions. Through the lens of intriguing projects by designers, artists, makers, and scientists, it presents a colorful panoply of ideas, technologies, and creative efforts that focus on the earth's most basic elements, while also showing how these elements can be transformed into entirely new materials. It explores, for example, how ancient practices such as dyeing fabric and making glue may hold the secret to renewable and earth-friendly consumer products, as well as how recycling plastics can tackle food waste, and how a type of light metal being developed may one day make air travel less fuel-reliant. This book also investigates the potential of the digital experience, suggesting how this most ephemeral type of matter can be used to improve our world. Eye-catching and provocative, Why Materials Matter serves as both a stimulating catalog of possibilities and a timely manifesto on how to consume, manufacture, and design for a better future.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 6, 2018
4 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 31, 2021
This book is a beautiful compilation of design concepts made with unconventional materials. It contains high-quality pictures and short descriptions of the designers that developed such products/prototypes.
The reason of my disappointment is because the book lacks to solve (or address, even minimally) one question: Why Materials Matter?
I thought there would be more than just a catalog. Maybe a discussion of which Materials and why and why is that relevant for sustainability, performance, design, or responsible consumption...anything. At least some lead into basic considerations. Nothing.
It frustrates me enormously to read a book that fails to answer to its own title. Even when the book is beautifully made.
Btw. If any of you knows a book that addresses precisely the role of Materials in design, value chain, sustainability or anything remotely close, I would love to have some ideas. Thank you 😊!!
The reason of my disappointment is because the book lacks to solve (or address, even minimally) one question: Why Materials Matter?
I thought there would be more than just a catalog. Maybe a discussion of which Materials and why and why is that relevant for sustainability, performance, design, or responsible consumption...anything. At least some lead into basic considerations. Nothing.
It frustrates me enormously to read a book that fails to answer to its own title. Even when the book is beautifully made.
Btw. If any of you knows a book that addresses precisely the role of Materials in design, value chain, sustainability or anything remotely close, I would love to have some ideas. Thank you 😊!!
July 10, 2020
Great book! Talks about materials through the lens of projects that are immediately relevant as opposed to speculative.
It is very Eurocentric, with a few projects from the East. Surprising lack of projects from the Americas. Makes me wonder if they're not working on materials over there, or if the London-based author didn't look that far.
It is very Eurocentric, with a few projects from the East. Surprising lack of projects from the Americas. Makes me wonder if they're not working on materials over there, or if the London-based author didn't look that far.
December 18, 2019
A fascinating look at how art, design, and forms can be made from recycling and resourcefulness. A responsible approach into making the world a more beautiful and sustainable place.
February 8, 2020
I read this book during my master's degree. Seetal Solanki gave us a lecture and showed us this beautiful book. We, as a class, enjoyed it since our degree was on new materials.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews