Master's in Design for Emergent Futures: Research, Design Experiments, & Interventions

REsource:
Concept,
Communication
& Conversations
APRIL 2021 | TERM 3
I am working to strengthen my material intelligence, integrate this understanding
into my design practice and cultivate this knowledge through communities of
makers and creatives. If we want to design for regeneration we need to learn
to source second hand and locally, build an understanding of material histories,
properties, lifecycles, and calculate carbon footprints. This will mean looking back
to ancient techniques and traditional ecological knowledge while simultaneously
researching and innovating with new recipes, techniques, tools and technologies.
After many bio-material experiments, online and hands-on material research,
a visit to the Barcelona Design Museum’s material library, MATERFAD, and
discussions with designers, architects and change makers in my community, I
started to ideate on ways to engage makers & creatives in circular and bio-based
design practices. I surveyed students, designers and architects to ask them about
their interest in incorportating natural, recycled, or waste materials into their
practices and what online or physical resources they use to explore such topics
and materials. Their responses and further discussions with relevant stakeholders
guided me as I developed a concept for designers to learn about material science,
lifecycles, applications, local sourcing, a material library, events, and an opensource
toolbox. The online and experiential platform would encourage designers,
architects and artists to re-think the way that they source materials.
46 DESIGN EXPERIMENTS & INTERVENTIONS