This book presents a design-driven investigation into smart materials developed by chemists
physicists materials and chemical engineers and applied by designers to consumer products
buildings interfaces or textiles. Introducing a class of smart materials (referred to as
stimuli-responsive morphing or kinetic materials) that move and change their shape in response
to stimuli the book presents their characteristics advantages potentials as well as the
difficulties involved in their application. The book also presents a large number of case
studies on products projects concepts and experiments employing smart materials thus
mapping out new design territories for these innovative materials. The case studies involve
different fields of design including product interior fashion and communication design.
Reflecting the growing demand for sustainable and human-centered design agendas the book
explores and reveals the role and influence of these new materials and technologies on design
and human experience and discusses how they can be used to redefine our objects and spaces so
as to promote more resilient environments. The book offers an intriguing and valuable resource
for design professionals engineers scientists and students alike.
