Material innovation portfolio ideas for design students
A strong material case study asks a question that matters to a user: which surface is easier to maintain, which textile drapes better for this product, or which joinery concept supports repair? Show the context before presenting samples. Explain where the materials came from and which criteria you used to compare them.
Include photographs, sample identifiers, sketches, process notes, observations, user feedback and a revised design. Mark assumptions and tests you did not perform. If the prototype is not certified, do not imply it is ready for unrestricted use. A clear account of limits makes the case study more useful to a design team.
The University of Nairobi’s Product/Industrial Design page describes study that connects products, users, materials and production. Explore KENCID’s Product Design course for product-development context and Materials Innovation & Product Development for hands-on material investigation.
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.
Related links
- Product Design
- How to plan a simple material comparison for a design project
- How to record finishes and treatments in a design project