Defining the DIY-Materials approach

The practices that shape the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach have always considered different sectors of knowledge and experience. The DIY movement is expanding beyond artifacts to include the materials from which products are made; namely, DIY-Materials. Designers from all over the world are engaged in various experimental journeys in the field of materials development, and they consider these experiments as the starting point of their design process, which will lead to the creation of new artifacts. The possibility to self-produce their own materials provides designers with a unique tool to combine unusual languages and innovative design solutions with authentic and meaningful materials experiences. As this phenomenon of self-production of materials has spread widely in recent years and is starting to be considered as an essential phase of the design process, it is necessary to investigate and understand it accurately. This chapter aims to provide an updated and comprehensive definition of the DIY-Materials phenomenon, as one of the emerging experiences in the field of design.