Teaching Materials in Design: Three Approaches from Three Universities (Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey)

In recent years, an important body of research has developed that underlines the role of positive user experience (i.e. gratification of senses, conveying desired meanings and eliciting desired emotions) within designers’ materials selection activities. However, despite the body of research emphasizing the increasing value of these experiential concerns and their integration to formal materials selection processes, the focus of materials education in industrial design programs has remained dominated by engineering content and technical-led selection activities. As a result, industrial design students often express frustration that it is difficult for them to select materials based on predominantly technical approaches and requirements. In response, staff at three design faculties - Delft University of Technology, Politecnico di Milano, and Middle East Technical University - have sought to share their experiences in the initiation of new approaches to materials education that redress the aforementioned technical-experiential tensions. This paper provides description and cross-comparison of the three approaches. Common points include: integration of tangible and intangible material concerns; student exploration of materials through faculty sample collections and material libraries; linking of theory on ‘design for experience’ with first-hand sensorial material encounters; and trialing of new materials selection tools. In informal discussions, students expressed their satisfaction in being led through a new door into the materials world. They appreciated the combination of experiential learning and second-order understanding (i.e. understanding other people’s understanding) in developing a user-centered perspective on materials and design. The approaches were seen as engaging, inspirational and informative. The paper concludes with guidelines for improved materials education within design faculties, based on the experiences gained from the three featured universities.