A fundamental and advanced understanding of Product Design comes from knowing what materials and making processes are available to the Designer. Each material and process can be combined, however, by doing this you produce a unique set of properties, capabilities, limitations, advantages and disadvantages to that part being made. Each of these processes have their appropriate design guidelines and produce specific and natural forms, shapes, patterns & geometries etc.

When selecting the form, function, material and making process of a part, keep your overall intentions and end goals clear. These could be:

Maximizing value, functionality, reliability, life span, quality, aesthetics & sustainability

Minimizing cost, weight, tooling, part count & complexity

To help prime the Designer’s mind with the materials and technologies available to them, these two charts were developed. Divided into materials and processes. A bibliography is also included below for reference.

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A higher resolution of these charts will be made available soon for purchase.