Week 2: Materials and Applications

[Photos: Magnet, Fibers, Spacer Fabrics]

The second week, we review the materials samples (cork, felt, stone, latex, styropor, leather, etc.) and their applications.

We see that single materials have many applications that vary from very decorative (visible) to very functional (hidden). Also, we see that the processing and finishing (verarbeitung) plays a key role in various applications and quality of the material. Regarding material names, we see that artificial leather (kunstleder) has the image of being a 'fake' product and seems to be replacing leather as affordable sustitute. This is different for Neoprene, a name that sounds futuristic and profiles itself in high-tech applications.

At the end of the day we get in first contact with a set of three material types that will be driving our course, namely:
1. Magnets
2. Brushes/Fibers
3. Spacer Fabrics

More on materials week. First, it's time for our theme 'Spiel' which we will experience next week in Berlin.

Week 1: Introduction

[photos: Stunt Egg]

The first week we start with a short introduction on materials and design. We reviewed the many and different roles of materials in design and noticed that we are experiencing materials all day long, simply by their applications.

This course we will be focusing on a selected set of materials to research and find new applications driven by the possibilities of the materials instead of form or functional requirements.

An 'Stunt Egg' show closes the day paper constructions give 4 out of 10 eggs a safe landing while jumping from the 1st floor at the HAW.

Material+Spiel weblog

Dear all, started this weblog in order to share thoughts and ideas on this semester's materials. Please don't mind me writing this in English.

Feel free to check in from time to time since:
- here you will short wrap ups of our weekly meetings
- this is a useful place to share books, links and other info with each other
- I will publish course information etc.

For now, enjoy the weekend and see you in Berlin next Tuesday!

Arnold