Material libraries have traditionally played a fundamental role in the collection and cataloguing of materials, offering designers and researchers a tool for analysing technical and performance properties. However, their static structure and informational rigidity pose significant limits on the ability of these resources to support dynamic and circular design practices. In response to these critical issues, this paper proposes a rethinking of material libraries through interaction design, transforming them from simple archives into exploratory devices capable of conveying the complexity and narrative value of materials. Through a comparative analysis of 25 physical and 32 digital material libraries, the study identifies the main limitations of existing models, including the lack of multisensory interaction, the difficulty in integrating experiential data, and the poor connection with local production contexts. The proposed approach aims to overcome these barriers through interactive storytelling models that highlight the biography of materials and their connections with production and cultural processes. The conceptual shift from Library to Exploratory implies a revision of archiving and usage methods, introducing systems that allow for more fluid and contextual navigation of material information. Emerging digital platforms demonstrate the potential for more engaging interaction, but still have limitations in terms of data fragmentation and lack of immersive experiences. The paper discusses how a hybrid model, integrating the physicality of the tactile experience with the possibilities of interactive technologies, can offer new opportunities for the understanding and conscious use of materials in design. Through the proposal of a design framework for interactive material libraries, the paper explores the implications of this new approach for contemporary design, highlighting the role of interaction design in redefining the ways in which materials are accessed, explored and understood. The research thus contributes to the construction of an innovative model of use, capable of supporting circular design practices and promoting a deeper awareness of materiality in the creative process.
From Library to Exploratory: rethinking the narrative of materials through interaction design
Annapaola Vacanti
;Michele De Chirico;Martin Romeo;Carlo Turri;Pietro Costa;Raffaella Fagnoni
2025-01-01
Abstract
Material libraries have traditionally played a fundamental role in the collection and cataloguing of materials, offering designers and researchers a tool for analysing technical and performance properties. However, their static structure and informational rigidity pose significant limits on the ability of these resources to support dynamic and circular design practices. In response to these critical issues, this paper proposes a rethinking of material libraries through interaction design, transforming them from simple archives into exploratory devices capable of conveying the complexity and narrative value of materials. Through a comparative analysis of 25 physical and 32 digital material libraries, the study identifies the main limitations of existing models, including the lack of multisensory interaction, the difficulty in integrating experiential data, and the poor connection with local production contexts. The proposed approach aims to overcome these barriers through interactive storytelling models that highlight the biography of materials and their connections with production and cultural processes. The conceptual shift from Library to Exploratory implies a revision of archiving and usage methods, introducing systems that allow for more fluid and contextual navigation of material information. Emerging digital platforms demonstrate the potential for more engaging interaction, but still have limitations in terms of data fragmentation and lack of immersive experiences. The paper discusses how a hybrid model, integrating the physicality of the tactile experience with the possibilities of interactive technologies, can offer new opportunities for the understanding and conscious use of materials in design. Through the proposal of a design framework for interactive material libraries, the paper explores the implications of this new approach for contemporary design, highlighting the role of interaction design in redefining the ways in which materials are accessed, explored and understood. The research thus contributes to the construction of an innovative model of use, capable of supporting circular design practices and promoting a deeper awareness of materiality in the creative process.
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