Semantic effect and material driven design
In the first part of the project, a material concept is to be developed based on a selected association term.
The second part deals with the design method ‘Material Driven Design’.
As part of the course, students first analyze the sensory perception, functional properties, and semantic dimensions of meaning of a material. Building on this, an association term (e.g., sporty, artificial, or playful) is drawn from a defined pool of terms and systematically related to the material.
From this connection, students develop a material concept whose intended effect corresponds to the respective associative term. In addition to examining the semantic effect of materials, students use this as a basis to design a product according to the principle of material-driven design. The application, function, and design of the product are consistently derived from the specific properties of the material.
Our material is a bioplastic made out of a compound of agar-agar, glycerin, and hemp protein. It has a different lookon each side. The upper side is glossy, slightly squishy, and resembles leather, while the bottom side is much rougher, matte, and sandy to the touch. All material ingredients are bio-degradable, which is the best part of it. The material is temporary and can dissolve completely.
Focusing on this biggest advantage of the material (an ability many other materials lack), we decided to make a temporary plant pot with a beeswax coating on the inside, which makes it waterproof.
While the project is not yet perfect, and its surface, and design can still be refined, it already holds a strong conceptual foundation and clear potential for further development and experimentation. Our project addresses plant stores and groceries, where single-use plastic pots are discarded almost immediately.
The user can decide whether to keep the plant in the pot or, as is often the case, replant it into a bigger pot. With full awareness, the user is not contributing to growing waste. The design is driven by the leather-like appearance, while an ”aggressive” quality is introduced through the material use of color, creating a sense of danger, something that feels unsafe, as if it cause harm.
Our project offers a waste-free alternative to single-use plastic pots, making the world a bit more sustainable.
