The transition toward a circular economy model has stimulated research and development of new materials for design, aimed at recyclability, reuse, and a more responsible use of natural resources. In recent decades, these materials have gradually entered production processes, contributing to the goals of ecodesign. However, despite their technical suitability, their application remains limited, and many contemporary products still refl ect consumption models that are no longer aligned with current environmental and social needs. This research focuses on bio-based materials, obtained entirely or partially from renewable sources of plant, animal, or microbiological origin. Attention is given to their material identity, which is still being defi ned and whose heterogeneity often generates confusion among designers and consumers. The aim of this thesis is to provide a design support tool that enables designers to understand and select bio-based materials also from an aesthetic and perceptual perspective, thus encouraging their broader use in design processes. The methodology involved the analysis of 38 bio-based materials, structured in two phases: an initial objective phase based on instrumental color measurement, classifi cation according to the Natural Colour System (NCS), and cataloguing of the visual inhomogeneities of the samples; followed by a second phase conducted through an online questionnaire aimed at investigating the material experience from a visual standpoint, at a sensorial, interpretive and emotional level. The outcome of the research is the MatBioAtlas, a visual design atlas that allows exploration of bio-based materials from an aesthetic and perceptual standpoint, through color and visual inhomogeneities. Comprising 38 material sheets organized chromatically according to the NCS system, the MatBioAtlas supports designers during product development, fostering a more conscious material experience and integrating aesthetic-visual criteria into the selection process alongside technical-functional ones. It takes shape not only as an atlas but as a product-service system: on one hand, it serves as a consultation and inspiration tool; on the other, it facilitates connections among professionals, companies, and bio-based material producers - becoming both a showcase and a space for dialogue.
La transizione verso un modello di economia circolare ha stimolato la ricerca e lo sviluppo di nuovi materiali per la progettazione, orientati alla riciclabilità, al riutilizzo e a un uso più responsabile delle risorse naturali. Negli ultimi decenni, questi materiali si sono progressivamente diffusi nei processi produttivi, contribuendo agli obiettivi dell’ecoprogettazione. Tuttavia, nonostante la loro idoneità tecnica, trovano ancora un’applicazione limitata, e molti prodotti contemporanei continuano a riflettere modelli di consumo non più in linea con le attuali esigenze ambientali e sociali. La ricerca si concentra sui materiali bio-based, ottenuti totalmente o in parte da fonti rinnovabili del regno vegetale, animale o microbiologico. L’attenzione è rivolta alla loro identità materica, ancora in via di definizione, la cui eterogeneità genera spesso confusione tra progettisti e consumatori. L’obiettivo della tesi è fornire uno strumento di supporto alla progettazione che consenta ai designer di conoscere e selezionare i materiali bio-based anche dal punto di vista estetico-sensoriale, incoraggiandone un impiego più ampio nei processi progettuali. La metodologia ha previsto l’analisi di 38 materiali bio-based, articolata in due fasi: una prima fase oggettiva, basata sulla rilevazione strumentale del colore, sulla classificazione secondo il Natural Colour System e sulla schedatura delle disomogeneità visive dei campioni; e una seconda fase, condotta tramite un questionario online, volto a indagare l’esperienza materica che viene fatta dal punto di vista visivo, ad un livello sensoriale, interpretativo ed emotivo. Il risultato della ricerca è il MatBioAtlas, un atlante visivo per la progettazione che consente di esplorare i materiali bio-based dal punto di vista estetico e percettivo, attraverso il colore e le disomogeneità visive. Composto da 38 schede materiali organizzate cromaticamente secondo il sistema NCS, il MatBioAtlas supporta il progettista nella fase di sviluppo prodotto, contribuendo alla costruzione di una material experience più consapevole e integrando i criteri estetico-visivi nel processo di scelta, accanto a quelli tecnico-funzionali. Si configura non solo come un atlante, ma come un sistema prodotto-servizio. Da un lato rappresenta uno strumento di consultazione e ispirazione; dall’altro, favorisce la connessione tra professionisti, aziende e produttori di materiali bio-based, diventando al tempo stesso una vetrina e un luogo di dialogo.
MatBioAtlas : uno strumento a supporto della progettazione per navigare le caratteristiche estetico-visive dei materiali bio-based
Grimaz, Giulia
2024/2025
Abstract
The transition toward a circular economy model has stimulated research and development of new materials for design, aimed at recyclability, reuse, and a more responsible use of natural resources. In recent decades, these materials have gradually entered production processes, contributing to the goals of ecodesign. However, despite their technical suitability, their application remains limited, and many contemporary products still refl ect consumption models that are no longer aligned with current environmental and social needs. This research focuses on bio-based materials, obtained entirely or partially from renewable sources of plant, animal, or microbiological origin. Attention is given to their material identity, which is still being defi ned and whose heterogeneity often generates confusion among designers and consumers. The aim of this thesis is to provide a design support tool that enables designers to understand and select bio-based materials also from an aesthetic and perceptual perspective, thus encouraging their broader use in design processes. The methodology involved the analysis of 38 bio-based materials, structured in two phases: an initial objective phase based on instrumental color measurement, classifi cation according to the Natural Colour System (NCS), and cataloguing of the visual inhomogeneities of the samples; followed by a second phase conducted through an online questionnaire aimed at investigating the material experience from a visual standpoint, at a sensorial, interpretive and emotional level. The outcome of the research is the MatBioAtlas, a visual design atlas that allows exploration of bio-based materials from an aesthetic and perceptual standpoint, through color and visual inhomogeneities. Comprising 38 material sheets organized chromatically according to the NCS system, the MatBioAtlas supports designers during product development, fostering a more conscious material experience and integrating aesthetic-visual criteria into the selection process alongside technical-functional ones. It takes shape not only as an atlas but as a product-service system: on one hand, it serves as a consultation and inspiration tool; on the other, it facilitates connections among professionals, companies, and bio-based material producers - becoming both a showcase and a space for dialogue.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2025_12_Grimaz.pdf
accessibile in internet solo dagli utenti autorizzati
Descrizione: Tesi
Dimensione
52.31 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
52.31 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in POLITesi sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
https://hdl.handle.net/10589/246327