Intelligent design with chromogenic materials

Abstract

This paper introduces the new qualitative dimensions that smart materials bring in industrial and product design with the aim of stimulating designers to take a more proactive attitude in the choice and application of these materials. Chromogenic materials enable designers to make visible, by emitting colour signals, what is happening under certain environmental conditions, normally invisible to our eyes. This allows the increase of comfort and safety of the designed environment. The possibility to create kinetic elements and dynamic products that change their expression over time allows design to contribute to a pleasant user-product interaction.