CH. 1 Materials and Design

For my materials and processes class we are reading a book called "Materials and Design." I was assigned to read chapter 1 and then post a response. Chapter 1 is called “introduction” and the chapter aptly starts with an introduction to the authors, Michael F. Ashby and Kara Johnson.  It also introduces the main topics as they pertain to materials and design. It discusses how materials create two basic principles: providing technical functionality and creating product personality. Following that, it talks about how product designers attempt to blend the technical and aesthetic traits of products, and they drive to make products that are sustainable and lovable- because that is what people are looking for.The chapter then goes on to say how experimenting with materials is a must, and that industrial designers often times do not have access to a database on materials like some technical designers to. A main concept of rising up from the industrial society pushed through by consumerism to one that has both admiration and respect for materials and efficiency is the goal for today. (Never mind the recycling aspect) Development in materials and the processes we can use on them are starting points on the products of tomorrow, and the materials can become a cornerstone of the product itself.