Ben Bridgens presented “Skin deep: perceptions of human and material ageing and opportunities for design” as a five minute ‘provocation’ at the European Academy of Design 2019 conference in Dundee.
‘Skin Deep’ presented at EAD2019, Dundee
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Author Archives: Ben
Ageing (dis)gracefully: enabling designers to understand material change
The ENDURE project forms the basis of a recent publication in the Journal of Cleaner Production:
Lilley, D., Bridgens, B., Davies, A. & Holstov, A. Ageing (dis)gracefully: enabling designers to understand material change (2019) Journal of Cleaner Production, 220, 417-430.
Link to article on publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.304
Abstract:
From the moment of purchase, pristine objects are subjected to an array of stimuli including wear, impact, heat, light, water and air which alter their tactile and aesthetic properties. Material change is often regarded as ‘damage’ or ‘degradation’ and contributes to premature obsolescence but has potential to be used as a tool to engender emotional engagement with an object and extend product lifetimes. However, materials resources for designers rarely provide information about how materials will change in use. In this paper we draw on a combination of literature and user studies to elucidate the complex web of factors which contribute to changes in material surfaces, which we present in a ‘framework for understanding material change’. We go on to explore the role that changes to product material surfaces, and the design of objects to change in particular ways with use, could have on the transition to circular modes of consumption. A range of resources which aim to increase designers’ understanding of material change are presented, and the challenges of creating, utilising and developing these resources are discussed.
Mixed reality video prototype
The ENDURE team are delighted to debut a short video demonstrating our vision for the future of materials specification in which material change is a fundamental part of the selection process. Filmed and edited by Andre Brito, the video demonstrates the potential of ‘mixed reality’ enhancements to our prototype app (https://egkz1o.axshare.com password: endure) which allow architects and designers to manipulate the aesthetics and tactility of material surfaces to harness the potential of material change.
We would love to hear your comments.
New publication: “Embracing material surface imperfections in product design”
A new publication in the International Journal of Design co-authored with Owain Pedgley and Bahar Şener. Here’s the abstract…
“Imperfection is not a usual aim within the context of industrialized product design. Under general norms, products are manufactured as clones of a ‘perfect’ original and product surfaces are prized for their ‘perfect’ flawless state. The mass production of products against these principles seems counterintuitive. Yet within the world of materials, and especially considering material surfaces, imperfection is widespread. This research set out to identify and scrutinize circumstances when material imperfection in products is appreciated, from mass manufacture to artisan practices. By synthesizing literature with analyses of material and product samples, five sources of surface imperfections are characterized: inherent material properties, production effects, workmanship of risk, planned and foreseen events, and everyday wear and tear. Following this, a research-focused concept design project is reported, leading to eleven product designs that exemplify how to design for, and with, imperfect material surfaces. A significant challenge facing designers is one of persuasion: of designing products where imperfect material surfaces are regarded as contributing to rather than detracting from product value. To this end, the paper culminates in a visual guide to embracing material surface imperfections in design practice.”
Link to full text: http://ijdesign.org/index.php/IJDesign/article/view/2962/833
Degrowth: Oslo Architecture Triennale 2019
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Degrowth: Oslo Architecture Triennale 2019
We have been selected to exhibit our work on material change at the Oslo Architecture Triennale! The theme for the 2019 triennale is degrowth. From the website: “Oslo Architecture Triennale 2019 will challenge the supremacy of economic growth as the basis of contemporary societies and investigate the architecture of alternatives. The chief curators of the Nordic region’s largest architecture festival are inviting architects, urban practitioners and citizens to explore the architecture of a new economy in which human and ecological flourishing matter most – the architecture of Degrowth.”
In our proposal we asked: “What would the materials through which we experience the man-made world around us look and feel like if they were not chosen by designers seeking to maximise economic growth and profit for their clients? How would we clad our buildings, pave our streets and encase our toasters if our goals were longevity and an enduring, caring relationship with our possessions?”
Our work provides a counterpoint to ‘smart’, digital visions of the future, which are predicated on consumerist models contriving to sell the latest technology, rather than on long term interest in citizens and their environment. We believe that an appreciation of durable materials and the unique, complex surface patina that develops over decades or centuries provides an opportunity to create a sense of place, a connection between people and the buildings, spaces and objects with which they interact, and engender a desire to care for and maintain the material world, whether or not objects are owned or shared, and whether places are public or private.
Beautiful degradation
Skin Deep
Our paper titled “Skin deep: perceptions of human and material ageing and opportunities for design” has been accepted for presentation at EAD2019, the 13th International Conference of the European Academy of Design, which will be held in Dundee in April 2019 (https://ead2019dundee.com). The paper was written by Ben Bridgens and Debra Lilley in collaboration with Hannah Zeilig and Caroline Searing at the London College of Fashion.
Abstract: Rapid unsustainable purchasing and disposal of mass-produced objects is, in part, driven by ‘cosmetic obsolescence’ – changes to the pristine material surface which are perceived as damage and degradation. In Western society there is an obsession, fuelled by pervasive advertising, with hiding the effects of ageing and maintaining skin that exudes ‘youthful perfection’. We consider the parallels between these attitudes to changes in material surfaces and human ageing, and propose that actively considering future material change in product design could increase product longevity.
ENDURE to exhibit at The Baltic
Adele at MaterialDriven invited us to exhibit our ’changed’ material samples from the ENDURE project at an exhibition called ‘FUTURE THINKERS’ at The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. The exhibit is part of ‘Idea of North’ which runs from 11 May to 30 September 2018. And here it is:
Our triangle will form part of a geodesic dome which visitors can walk through and around, showcasing a wide range of materials, from traditional materials to experimental and futuristic materials.
Material change app
ENDURE invites designers, architects and material specifiers in academia and industry to review our app-based resource which explains, exemplifies and illustrates material change.
The prototype app provides succinct information on how materials change with use and in response to different stimuli. Changes to how a material looks, feels and behaves are illustrated with inspirational case studies of products and materials, as well as time lapse images and gifs of physical samples subjected to various stimuli (UV, ammonia, salt etc.) and accelerated ageing techniques.
We’d love to hear your feedback! please go to: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YCLZ7SJto view and evaluate the prototype.
Granta EduPack workshop featuring ‘ENDURE’ resources
Granta EduPack workshop to be held at Loughborough University in January. On the second day of the workshop we will demonstrate prototype ‘ENDURE’ resources within the Granta ‘Products, Materials & Processes’ database. And we will be asking participants to have a go and give us feedback on these resources which highlight the role of material change in design.
Material metamorphosis resource development
From the moment of purchase, pristine objects are subjected to an array of stimuli including wear, impact, heat, light, water and air which alter their tactile and aesthetic properties. Material change is often regarded as ‘damage’ or ‘degradation’, but has potential to be used as a tool to engender emotional engagement with an object.
But how can we convey to the designer the role of the complex interaction of material choice, surface finish, form, physical interaction with the user & environmental exposure in determining the future aesthetics of a product?
The ENDURE team have got some ideas… click on the thumbnail for a full size image showing some of our initial thoughts on resources to educate designers about ‘material metamorphosis’:
ENDURE material metamorphosis resource development