The Art of Plastics Design conference wrap-up at www.materialstories.com - 5.11.

2005

The Art of Plastics Design (Berlin, 18-19 October)
Together with app. 50 manufacturers, engineers and designers I attend the conference
on designing with plastics organized by Rapra Technology. Unlike many others, this
conference was not only about success stories. Yes, plastics offer great possibilities for
designers but also seem to be a problem child regarding the consumers preconceptions
read on, why.



Poor Plastics
We dont seem to lovingly look after our plastic products in the same way we do with
our glass, wood or ceramic products Mike Ellams refers to plastics being used as multi-
purpose commodities. Imitations of other materials contribute to the image of plastics
being seen as a poor alternative to the real thing. Key note speaker Sebastian Conran
discusses plastics in the greater context of the art of creating value he was shocked to
learn that an Aston Martins mid-console was no real metal but bogus metalized plastic.

Plastics Branding
Plastics have an identity problem being considered as one material by the common man.
Plastics are many materials with diverse applications; Chris Lefteri sees opportunities for
(re)branding plastics in order to educate the consumer. Nylon is mentioned being an
example of a good plastics brand.

Perceived Quality
Perceived quality is what the consumers sense on their initial contact with a product
this is all about aesthetics and all about materials. The overall perceived quality of
plastics seems to be poor compared with materials such as wood or ceramics. Though,
The Art of Plastics Design conference wrap-up at www.materialstories.com - 5.11.2005

carbon fibres applied in polymer composites, score well yes, people are buying carbon
fibre stickers to visually upgrade their motorcycles, computers or even handhelds.

Revolutionary Design
Plastics enjoy more respect when not being considered as an imitation material - which
all depends on product design and innovation. People tend to understand the true value
of plastics in applications without direct predecessors. Mike Ellams refers to the
application of Polycarbonate in the iPod, its being used because nothing else will do

Plastics and Applications
Just as with products, commercialization of materials is a long way to go and many
developments of new and promising materials never see the daylight. Applications are
the key to success for instance, the CD/DVD production doubled the consumption of
Polycarbonate over the last 10 years. Also Silicones are in need for new applications and
Stephane van Oycke inspires us with this high-tech spaghetti.

Materials Communication
Chris Lefteri sees opportunities for better understanding between materials suppliers
and designers illustrating how GE Plastics can learn from Eastman Innovation Labs
website. In communicating materials and their qualities he mentions the importance of
being able to touch and play with physical samples. Later on, an example is
demonstrated by Ulf Nilsson - the so called Out of the Box by Santoprene and Merck, is
a set of physical samples that includes different TPE types and special effect pigments.

Material of Integration
The beauty of plastics lies in the opportunities for integration Francoise Pardos refers
to function and process integration - eliminating the cost increasing assembly, finishing
or painting of parts. More than designing with any other material, plastics require an
integrated approach to exploit its full potential.

Plastics and Sustainability
Sustainability issues seem to give plastics the preconception of being unethical and only
about consumption. Nick Gant disagrees and defends his case with examples of material
driven design projects conducted at the University of Brighton. With an alternate view
on our relations with objects and sustainability he demonstrates how plastics find their
role within an emotionally durable design approach.

Apples and Dysons
Among the iPod several Apple products are featured in presentations, not only for its use
of plastics but also for its philosophy to Think Different which also relates to designing
with plastics. Dysons materials specialist attends the conference as well, unfortunately
not as speaker but as visitor. A pity, since Dyson has an outspoken plastic identity and is
all about revolutionary design materials driving their techy look is part of the concept.

Plastics Aesthetics
Olivier Noiset and Hengfeng Zuo discuss the smell and touch aspects of plastics, though
throughout the conference little physical materials are displayed by the speakers. Since
the Rapra organization announced a follow-up on this materials conference we hope the
next announcement at www.polymerconferences.com will feature more tangible
demonstrations since plastics aesthetics and sensory design are all about experience. For
now, I get back to the conference papers for some well worth plastics reading.
The Art of Plastics Design conference wrap-up at www.materialstories.com - 5.11.2005



Speakers and references
Designers
Sebastian Conran - www.conranandpartners.com
David Humphries www.pdd.co.uk
Mike Ellams - www.razorbite.com
Nick Gant www.bobodesign.co.uk
Chris Lefteri - www.chrislefteri.com
Evan Kitsell - www.dwscientific.co.uk
Peter Frank - www.productinnovation.com

Consultants
Olivier Noiset www.certech.be
Erwin Baur www.m-base.de
Francoise Pardos pardos.marketing.free.fr
Tina Rippon - www.finishtechnologies.com
John McLoughlin - polynnovation@hotmail.com
Andy Clements - www.rapra.net
Peter Dickin www.delcam.com

Materials suppliers and manufacturing
Jean-Charles Fresnel - www.sleever.com
Ulf Nilsson - www.exxonmobilchemical.com
Mark Stoll www.eckart.de
Martin Wielpuetz www.degussa.com
Stephane van Oycke www.dowcorning.com
David Horan www.clariant.com
Bob Smith - www.erieplastics.com

Materials research (PhD)
Material texture perception in product design, Hengfeng Zuo (speaker) heng-feng.zuo@solent.ac.uk
Material selection in product design, Ilse van Kesteren (attendee) i.e.h.vankesteren@io.tudelft.nl
Integrating the intangible characteristics with the tangible properties of materials, Elvin Karana (attendee)
e.karana@io.tudelft.nl