This blog captures my process throughout my Honours year at University. The posts describe the research I undertook in response to my research question,
'How can Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) contribute to the sensory experience of touch in an interior space?'
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This project sparked my interest in understanding and refining the experience had by users in various situations; eventually leading me to align myself with UX Design - a field I wish I had found much earlier but feel grateful that I have now found my passion.
WEEK 1 - INITIAL THOUGHTS
3 MARCH 2018
Shape Memory Polymer (example), YouTube video by mcskiii
This week has been focused on narrowing down my scope of work. I have already decided that Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are to be my smart material of choice and it is now my intention to gain a better understanding of their properties, abilities and the costs involved in working with them. Through my research it is clear that the development of these polymers is still in its early stages with availability to the everyday consumer proving hard to come by.
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I have also started thinking about the application of these polymers. Once I acquire them, how do I form them? How do I apply them in a way that is conducive to my intended interior design related outcome? I am in the process of sourcing these materials and have already found two stockists that appear to be positive leads. By this I mean, sell a product that I can begin making prototypes with.
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The two stockists are:
SMP Technologies, Japan (http://www2.smptechno.com/en/smp/)
Mind Sets, UK (https://mindsetsonline.co.uk/)
WEEK 2 - FURTHER RESEARCH
10 MARCH 2018
Mind Mapping - Expanding my knowledge base
In order for me to better understand SMPs I have been undertaking a large amount of reading, utilising the Uni's searchable databases and catalogues. What I have discovered is that the current literature surrounding SMPs is heavily science orientated with most peer reviewed journal articles and books being published by current researcher scientists. There appears to be little information on the application or potential application of SMPs in the field of art or design. I feel that this, in part, serves my research well as I have clearly discovered a gap in knowledge / current research.
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As I am taking part in Uni SA's Adelaide Modern (AM) course in conjunction with my Honours studies, I find myself regularly thinking about the best way to fulfil the associated brief. I am aware that the work I do as part of my Honours isn't required to 'fit in' with the AM outcome and that the two courses do in-fact give me the opportunity to develop both my exegesis and artefact as my final outcomes, I am simply mindful that I don't want to rush in to trying to make a finished product when a prototype may be all that is possible.
WEEK 3 - WHO'S IN THE INDUSTRY
17 MARCH 2018
What does this mean?? Source: Leng, Jinsong, Xin Lan, Yanju Liu and Shanyi Du. “Shape-memory polymers and their composites: Stimulus methods and applications.” Progress in Materials Science, Vol. 56 (2011): 1093.
This week I have been focusing on gaining a better sense of who the current SMM practitioners are and their applications in the design industry. This hasn't been an overly easy task, especially when trying to find applications that utilise SMPs as the core material. One of the most fascinating (and most relevant to my research) practitioners is Doris Kim Sung of dO|Su Studio Architecture. Her work with SMAs and their response to changes in temperature has encouraged me to explore a similar concept with SMPs and interior environments.
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A hurdle I have been faced with throughout my readings is the level of scientific knowledge required when understanding the properties of SMMs. I feel that I am beginning to understand the basic concepts applicable to achieving my desired outcome but there are still questions that I need answered in order to progress my work. It is because of this that I am in the process of making contact with material scientists / researchers in a similar field.
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With regards to my prototyping progress, a have now ordered a number of different materials (not just SMPs) with the hopes that I can begin creating within the next week.
WEEK 4 - UNDERSTANDING SMPs
24 MARCH 2018
Initial Concept Animation - SMP Movement in Response to Heat. Made with Autodesk 3ds Max
by Yolanda López
As my literature and artefact review evolve I have come to realise that my understanding of SMP properties is only part of the question I am basing my research on. After considering the potential uses of SMPs in Interior Design applications to convey information regarding changes in temperature, it dawned on me that my outcome may end up being a 3d version of a thermostat. I am now wondering if an element considering aesthetics, environmental impacts or a focus on the SMPs being used in a way that improves an interior environment would lead to a more resolved and useful application.
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For my current intended outcome, I believe I have worked out that I require two-way shape memory polymer in order for the individual pieces to deform when heat is applied and revert back to their original state when cooled. I would like to be able to incorporate an interactive user experience in addition to the piece reacting to changes in temperature. I believe this is possible as examples of SMPs that react to the temperature of the human body exist (see Mitch Anthamatten from the University of Rochester speak about their SMP that is triggered by body heat, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DE3D9SLev8).
WEEK 5 - FINALISING MY LITERATURE + ARTEFACT REVIEW
31 MARCH 2018
Snippet from my Artefect Review document: the key I have created to assist in categorising existing smart material products and designs.
It is interesting that you can follow the guidelines you set for yourself, remain organised throughout your entire process and manage time constraints but the end result can still leave you with questions and a sense of dissatisfaction. I am referring to the completion of my literature and artefact review. Although I am proud of the work I have done for this task, reading over thirty texts and analysing over twenty artefacts, I can't help but feel that, by comparison, the work in the field of smart materials that already exists is more substantial, more evolved than my own. This of course is a harsh comparison as many of the existing artefacts are results of years of study and PhD dissertations but nevertheless, I finished my review feeling a little disheartened yet incredibly determined to create a design that had value (a contribution that is substantial enough to satisfy me).
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During the analysis stage of my literature review I realised that I had focused on sourcing material that had been written for the science and technology fields. This unconscious weighting of scientific information made me realise that I needed to expand my research into design-focused texts; after all, my entire practice is built on answering a question relating to the field of interior design. Since then, I have engaged in resources that discuss topics of sustainable design practice, new technologies in the architecture and design professions and various materials currently used in design.