Materials and Society: Advancing the Material Culture of Design

This contribution focuses on the reconsideration of the relationship between society and the material culture of design. It includes the impact on environmental contexts, contemplating living and non-living elements as social bodies and where materials are an active part in continuous transformation. From this assumption, we want to indicate the material culture of design as an ally of the history of design, where society, environment, technology, and materials are integrated into the complex network between human beings and artefacts. The theoretical path is presented considering the approaches taken by the social sciences for a more in-depth analysis of society and material issues, as well as by studies on innovation. It integrates the history of materials in design, not only in socio-economic but also environmental contexts, which have permitted specific developments and where the materials are active elements in continuous transformation. Indeed, it is necessary to develop more contextual, and culturally situated epistemic beliefs to allow for multidisciplinary collaboration between design and other disciplines. We will start our study with a brief review of material culture advancement in humanities and social studies. Then we will introduce the multidisciplinary approach focusing on the social, technical, and environmental network involving the ‘use and development of materials with a focus on the Italian approach. Finally, we’ll draw up conclusions and prospects, although our reflections are of a general nature.