How to choose a material for a product design brief
Material choice depends on what a product must do and where it will be used. A table-top object for a dry office, a frequently handled public-space fixture and a soft furnishing in a home raise different questions about touch, cleaning, wear, repair and replacement. Write those conditions into the brief before comparing samples.
Next, compare candidate materials using the same criteria: source and availability, dimensions, fabrication method, finish, maintenance, expected life, repair and evidence for any performance claim. Record why one option was chosen and what remains unknown. A sample board can help compare colour and texture, but it cannot prove long-term performance.
For an interior project in Kenya, link each material decision to a specific user and setting; do not assume one material suits every home or workplace. Explore KENCID’s Interior Design course for spatial context and Product Design course for objects and users. In Materials Innovation, test the material choices your project depends on.
Explore your next step
Explore the Materials Innovation & Product Development course at KENCID, or browse all KENCID courses. Contact Admissions to confirm current course details before you apply.