What if materials could transform due to user interaction, environmental condition, and digital data? New materials with smart, dynamic, and interactive behaviors are emerging as enablers of meaningful, multi-sensory, and intuitive experiences.

DATA < > MATERIALS: Design between Envisioning and Prototyping” is a two-day Hackathon dealing with Smart and Interactive technologies, Bio-based materials, Digital Manufacturing, and Speculative Design. Design students of the School of Design of the Politecnico di Milano took part in the challenge of hands-on experimentation with bioplastics and electronics, tutored by a team of young research fellows and PhD students of the Design Department. Stimulated by technology-oriented futures scenarios, they produced four interactive material-based prototypes of wearables and interfaces able to sense and respond to data, delivering specific information.

The event took place on October 25th and 26th, at Polifactory, the maker space and fab lab of the Politecnico di Milano. The activity is part of the research project InData – Envisioning and Prototyping informed by Data, funded within Mini-FARB 2018 program by the Design Department of the Politecnico di Milano. Visit the website www.indata.polimi.it to know more about it.