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  • Sensory materials library: Finally, a materials library that makes sense

Hatfield, Lissy, Jansen, Chipp, Ma, Zhengtao, Tuo, Boyuan, Ozden Yenigun, Elif and Baurley, Sharon, 2025, Other, Sensory materials library: Finally, a materials library that makes sense Royal College of Art, London, UK.

Abstract or Description:

Textile Designers rely on touch and their tacit knowledge and experience to navigate a constantly evolving world of material which they discover primarily through physical experiences such as expos and material collections. Digital material platforms would increase the accessibility of materials. However, the current material library landscape lacks the necessary sensory data. In addition, gathering this data is limited by the textile industry tools which are primarily focused on standardisation as opposed to design innovation. Faced with these challenges, this paper presents a research framework for an inclusive and holistic approach towards sensory properties within a materials library – the Sensory Materials Library (SML). Based on this framework, preliminary research into connecting the objective and subjective properties for a prototype library is presented, the aim being to support digital tools to help Designers discover, select and learn about materials. As an example of such a tool, we have developed the AiLoupe, an AI-enabled mobile application that uses image-based material classification to present sensory properties for properties to Designers. We present our initial iterative development process for AiLoupe and potential applications that fit within a greater research paradigm that aims to connect material research from raw materials, distributed manufacturing, branding, retail, product use, end-of-life and circular processes.

Subjects: Other > Mathematical and Computer Sciences > G400 Computer Science
Other > Mathematical and Computer Sciences > G700 Artificial Intelligence
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W230 Clothing/Fashion Design
Creative Arts and Design > W200 Design studies > W230 Clothing/Fashion Design > W231 Textile Design
School or Centre: Other
Funders: Funded by the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design under the InnoHK Research Clusters, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Research Project Intelligent Design Systems for Innovation (RP2-5) at the Royal College of Art.
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2025 10:34
Last Modified: 30 May 2025 23:20
URI: https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/id/eprint/6197
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