Choice of Materials
The materials used in a project may affect the range of possible solutions. In selecting a material, consider these qualities in relationship to your intended design.
- Strength. How much weight can a given material support? What is its breaking point when stressed?
- Workability. How difficult is it to alter the shape of a material? Does it cut and bend easily?
- Durability. How long must a project last? In what context will a sculpture be shown? The hard basalt used for many Egyptian sculptures has endured for millennia, while the flexible fabric used in a temporary installation may last less than a year.
- Weight. A material that is too light for a given purpose can be as problematic as a material that is too heavy. What is the function of the design, and how can weight serve that function?
- Cost. Can the material chosen be obtained easily and at a reasonable cost? If your budget is limited, expensive materials will have to be removed from consideration.
- Toxicity. Many plastics produce toxic gases when cut, etched, or burned. Paints and solvent may require the use of masks and gloves and often present significant disposal problems. Is the ventilation of your workspace appropriate for your work process? Are less toxic materials available?
- Function. Most important, how appropriate is a given material for a particular purpose? A teapot will be useless if the material used is porous, and a chair that is too difficult to construct can never be mass produced. Any material chosen must serve both the structural and aesthetic needs of the physical object.
From Launching the Imagination: A Comprehensive Guide to Basic Design 2001, Mary Stewart
Opening paragraph Part Three Ch. 8 Three-Dimensional Design: Organization, 8-10
