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.
The first task began with the question of which materials create a sporty impression. Sportswear and breathable fabrics particularly stand out. Geometric patterns and vibrant colors also appear very dynamic. The initial challenge lay in combining different materials such as metal (strong, waterproof, heavy) and performance fabrics (stretchy, breathable, lightweight).
To give the metal a breathable appearance, we opted for a lightweight aluminum plate with cutouts in the form of structural patterns of triangles and trident stars, backed with a yellow-green or black surface. To find the ideal application for our material, we considered which objects rely on its properties: breathability, stability, and water resistance.
The final decision was made in favor of a closed, double-walled fruit bowl. The inner layer consists of a fine, yellow-green mesh that deters fruit flies from eating the fruit. The outer layer is an aluminum tray with laser-cut triangles to allow light to pass through. Additionally, the lower tray features a three-pronged star-shaped structure to prevent mold growth and pressure marks.