Top Books on Sustainable Material Design You Must Read
Overview:
Better Things: Materials for Sustainable Product Design by Daniel Liden aims to tackle the issue of greenwashing in product marketing. Often, labels proclaiming products to be made from 'recycled material' or 'bioplastic' lack clarity on their true environmental benefits. Liden's book seeks to provide transparency and provide solid information for product designers, manufacturers, and consumers who aim to make more informed and sustainable material choices.
The book is structured into six chapters, each dedicated to a material category—plastics, textiles, metals, ceramics and glass, wood, and paper—and a seventh chapter on emerging sustainable technologies. Each section includes interviews, photos, diagrams, environmental impact data, and general material properties, making it a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in sustainable product design.
Great For:
Designers looking to get a snapshot of a wide range of materials.
A really good reference guide. I pick this one up a lot instead of searching for the material online.
Understandable environmental impact information.
Product Designers looking to keep up to date with material information.
Overview:
Materials for Design by Chris Lefteri offers an insightful exploration into the world of materials and their applications in design. Unlike many resources that focus on semi-formed materials, this book provides a comprehensive look at raw materials and their unique properties.
It is organized into three main sections: grown, oil-based, and mined materials, with each entry detailing key features, typical applications, production processes, and sustainability considerations.
Chris is an internationally recognised authority on materials and specifically their application for products and consumer goods. Despite this book being written in 2013 I believe it is still a really valuable reference guide. Particually for it’s information of oil-based plastics and mined materials.
Great For:
Product designers working with consumer goods.
A great understanding of the wide and varied available plastic polymers.
Knowledge of a wide range of raw materials.
Overview:
Wasted: When Trash Becomes Treasure by Katie Treggiden explores the innovative ways in which waste materials are being transformed into valuable and functional products. In an era where human activity significantly impacts the environment, Treggiden highlights the creative and sustainable practices of designers and makers who see potential in discarded materials.
The book features a series of case studies, interviews, and stunning visuals that illustrate how waste can be reimagined and repurposed into something new and worthwhile.
This was one of the first design books I bought myself and has been a firm favourite.
Great For:
Seeking inspirational designers working with ‘waste’
Exploring the possibilities of circular design practices
Covering a wide range of creative disciplines.
Overview:
Material Reform by Material Cultures explores the innovative use of bio-based materials in the construction industry. The book advocates for a shift towards a post-carbon future, where sustainable practices and materials are at the forefront of architectural design. Organised into a series of essays and conversations, it examines the systems, cultures, and infrastructures that shape the built environment. Through case studies and expert insights, the book provides a compelling vision of how bio-based materials can transform the way we build, offering practical solutions to reduce carbon footprints and promote ecological balance. This is a great, pocket-sized book, and I love it for the overview of a broad range of important theme.
Great For:
Anyone looking to understand the use of natural and biomaterials in construction
Specifically focused towards architecture but the learnings can be utilised across design more broadly
It’s got a really useful Glossary and section on further reading.
Overview:
Radical Matter explores ideas that will shape the future of material choices, design methods, and manufacturing processes. Looking at a broad range of concepts from co-creation to future mining this book is full of inspiring case studies.
Drawing from a global community of designers, the book highlights innovative approaches that go beyond traditional sustainable design, advocating for holistic systems of design, production, and consumption that benefit the environment, society, and economy.
Through insightful case studies and expert opinions, it delves into themes like transforming waste into raw materials, natural assets, and living materials. This book offers insightful solutions to help design professionals and students turn revolutionary concepts into reality.
Great For:
Designers from all disciplines to gain inspiration and explore a wide range of concepts around materials
Beautiful imagery and case studies