Learning through materials: transforming design Education in the 21st Century

Materials have played a significant role in design education: not only as the practical medium to materialize form but also as the creative vehicle for dialogues between ideas and possibilities. In design education, the way materials are engaged has evolved over the years. There has been a shift from "hands-on" approaches to more "hands-off" methods, and the transition from engineering-driven material selection to the diverse material practices of the twenty-first century is still ongoing. This article reviews these transformations, highlighting key practices and approaches for acquiring contemporary design competencies and nurturing innovative capabilities through the medium of materials, thereby providing insights into the teaching and learning of knowledge within the design discipline. The core of these design practices and approaches is that designers regard materials as active participants in the design process and develop empathy for the relationship between people and materials. In addition, the article also demonstrates the essential role of dialogue with materials and first-hand contact with materials in 21st-century design education, even in an era where digital design techniques have become dominant.