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1、How Much Do We Need? Materials KnowledgeThe information superhighway has paved the way to a wealth of information for designers. Computerized databases, the Internet and the availability of“virtual libraries”on-line provide resources once available to only the largest corporations.But while technolo
2、gy has changed the way designers work, many still rely on old habits; especially in the selection of materials and processing technology. Material specifications are almost an afterthought or“someone elses task,”in part because we prefer to work on the intangible qualities of a product.The marketpla
3、ce demands more. Today, the material often becomes the product. We know that materials can help to differentiate our products character, add value, enhance performance and make the difference between success and failure. In a world where new processes and new materials keep appearing in a sea of acr
4、onyms coined to define endless combinations, we need to constantly challenge ourselves. We need to take more risks, do more research, explore more alternatives and learn how to optimize our selections.We know what we want, we just have trouble asking the right questions to find the correct answers a
5、nd resources. Take the following examples:“Whats so great about this material, and why is it so gummy?”I remember an industrial designer asking this question as he proceeded to explain that he required a material that was both stiff and flexible in certain circumstances.“Can you help specify a mater
6、ial without modifying our design?”A well-known design company insisted on modeling a computer housing with zero draft on all four sides, regardless of cost. Needless to say, the manufacturer eventually discontinued the project because of its bad economics.“We need a material that has a medium to hig
7、h level of comfort.”This request came from a furniture designer for a new office chair. The project required categorizing levels of comfort“by the seat”of this designers parts.The role of education in this“knowledge gap”cannot be discounted. Design curricula have dome little to foster the exploratio
8、n of materials and production methods. On a recent tour of the Bayer facility, a design student asked me the difference between a polymer and a monomer. Although this and similar questions reflect an appalling ignorance of materials, they also show an encouraging interest among students as well as p
9、rofessionals.To address this interest, IDSA has created a Materials and Processes Special Interest Section. Our goals are to spark and nurture the natural curiosity of designers with regard to manufacturing processes; cultivate a better understanding of the differences, and demonstrate how we can ap
10、ply them to the success of our products. We strongly believe that a basic understanding of materials and processes should be a fundamental part of a designers entry-level education, and we will work with IDSAs Eudcation Committee to define the minimum requirements of such know-how a design student s
11、hould possess upon graduation.The section also has formalized an alliance with the Society of the Plastics Industry(SPI)Structural Plastics Division(SPD) to share communication and programs. To that end, weve agreed to host our spring meeting at the annual SPI conference, scheduled for Atlanta this
12、year. We have expanded our activity there to include a full days preconference. Were also working similar relationships with the Society of Plastics EngineersProduct Design and Development Division and the American and Iron and Steel Institute.Within IDSA, the section has established a strong workin
13、g relationship with the Environmental Responsibility Section including archiving speaker presentations on video as a resource for IDSA members and benefit for those not able to attend, We will host a section Web page at the IDSA Chicago Chapter site and enhance our communication by posting section a
14、ctivities, reference information and a list of member“key contacts”and their field of expertise.Many section members share an enthusiasm for materials and production methods and feel a sense of responsibility to share their expertise. With this type of networking members of IDSA gain not only resour
15、ce recommendations, but also the benefit of another members experience in that area. Its designers talking with other designers to find the solutions.Today, we do not need a vast working knowledge of material and processes. All we need is to know how to find that knowledge. And most of it exists wit
16、hin the framework of IDSA, through the experiences of its members, their personal contacts and resources. The networking, programs and education of IDSAs special Interest Section on Materials and Processed tap this knowledge base and put the information we need literally at our fingertips.我们需要多少钱？材料知识信息高速公路为设计师提供了丰富的信息。计算机化数据库、因特网和在线虚拟图书馆的可用性提供了曾经只对大公司可用的资源。但是，尽管技术改变了设计师的工作方式，许多人仍然依赖旧习惯，特别是在材料选择和加工工艺方面。材料规格几乎是事后考虑或“别人的任务”，部分是因为我们喜欢研究产品的无形质
