Category: Insight

Design for Social Justice: Honoring the Legacy of MLK

Design for Social Justice: Honoring the Legacy of MLK

In honor of Black History Month, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the intersection of design and social justice, inspired by the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His fight for equality, dignity, and inclusion reminds us that the choices we make—whether in activism, policy, or design—have the power to shape a more just world. Design is not just about aesthetics or functionality; it’s a tool for empowerment and systemic change. At Interwoven, we pride ourselves on having a diverse team from all over the world, and we know it makes our work stronger. In this Insight article, we explore how designers can honor Dr. King’s vision through design for social justice; creating solutions that dismantle barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster equity in every corner of society.

Embodying MLK’s Vision Through Design

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at Lectern

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a society where justice and equality weren’t just ideals but tangible realities. He spoke of the “fierce urgency of now,” urging people to take action against injustice wherever it exists. Designers, too, have a responsibility to act with urgency and purpose, using their skills to tackle issues like poverty, racism, and discrimination. Design that embodies MLK’s vision isn’t just about creating something functional; it’s about fostering dignity and inclusion. 

While the challenges of inequality may feel overwhelming, design provides a pathway to bridge gaps between communities and create systemic change. By designing with empathy and inclusivity, we can address issues such as unequal access to education, the digital divide, or the lack of representation in media and technology. Designers hold the power to influence not just products or spaces but also perceptions, behaviors, and policies. By embedding the principles of justice and equality into their work, designers can help dismantle the systems that perpetuate exclusion and create a world that reflects the ideals Dr. King fought for—a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Strategies for Designers to Address Social Inequality

By tapping into the following resources and strategies, designers can begin to dismantle systemic barriers and build more inclusive, equitable futures.

Empathy-Driven Research

The first step in designing for social justice is understanding the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Empathy-driven research involves going beyond assumptions and engaging directly with those who are most affected by systemic inequalities. This might mean conducting ethnographic research, hosting co-creation workshops, or working alongside community leaders to identify the specific needs of a group. At Interwoven, we find ethnographic research to be incredibly powerful. Witnessing a community firsthand can provide deep insights into how they interact with their environment and with each other, leading to innovative insights that become the core of a design solution.

Inclusivity in Design Processes

To create equitable solutions, it’s essential to involve diverse voices throughout the design process. A more inclusive team ensures that a variety of perspectives, cultural contexts, and lived experiences inform the final product. Here are some key practices for inclusive design:

Focus on Universal and Accessible Design

Dr Martin Luther King Jr in a crowd

Universal design goes beyond meeting the needs of a specific group and aims to create products, spaces, and systems that are usable by everyone, regardless of ability, age, or socioeconomic status. Accessible design focuses specifically on ensuring that people with disabilities are not excluded. We believe that all design must be universal and accessible, and we bake it into our process from the start. Here are some practical steps for universal design:

  • Integrate accessibility guidelines into your design process (e.g., WCAG for digital products).
  • Consider physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities in product development.
  • Prototype and test with diverse user groups to identify barriers early.
  • Resources to Explore:

Sustainability and Justice

Social and environmental justice are deeply interconnected. Designers can address both by creating sustainable products and systems that benefit underserved communities. For example, affordable solar-powered devices can bring electricity to off-grid areas, and circular design principles can reduce waste in low-income neighborhoods. Here are some key sustainable design principles:

  • Source materials ethically and sustainably.
  • Consider the entire lifecycle of a product, including its disposal and reuse.
  • Prioritize affordability and accessibility in sustainable solutions.
  • Resources to Explore:

Building Your Knowledge and Network

To create meaningful change, designers must continuously educate themselves about social justice issues and connect with others doing this important work. Attend conferences, read books, and follow organizations at the forefront of inclusive and equity-focused design.

Case Studies: 4 Design Solutions that Advance Social Justice

The following case studies illustrate the transformative power of design to address social injustices and inequities. Each project, while addressing a specific need, contributes to the larger goal of creating a more just and inclusive world. By learning from these examples, designers can reimagine their own work to honor the values of equity and inclusion.

1. Accessible Packaging: Kellogg’s NaviLens Codes

Kellogg's Cornflakes box

Kellogg’s introduced packaging with NaviLens codes to make grocery shopping more inclusive for visually impaired consumers. These QR-style codes can be scanned from a distance using a smartphone, providing information such as product name, ingredients, and preparation instructions through audio. This innovation not only enhances accessibility but also promotes independence and dignity for individuals with visual impairments.

2. Universal Design in Public Spaces: Curb Cuts and Tactile Paving

Curb cuts, initially designed to help wheelchair users, have become a universal design feature in urban landscapes, benefiting people with strollers, delivery carts, and bicycles. Tactile paving, which uses textured ground surfaces, guides visually impaired individuals through public spaces like sidewalks and train stations. These simple yet powerful designs ensure public spaces are accessible to people of all abilities.

3. Community-Centered Initiatives: Brightmoor Maker Space

The Brightmoor Maker Space in Detroit empowers local residents, particularly youth, to develop skills in woodworking, digital fabrication, and entrepreneurship. By providing tools, training, and mentorship, this community space fosters economic opportunities and builds confidence among participants while addressing systemic inequities in education and employment.

4. Technology for Representation: Adobe’s Diverse Voices Initiative

Adobe launched the Diverse Voices campaign to promote inclusivity in digital design by showcasing creatives from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative provides a platform for minority artists, highlighting their work while offering educational resources to help other designers create culturally sensitive and representative content.

Inspiring Designers to Take Action

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” This question challenges designers to think critically about their work and the impact it has on society. To truly honor Dr. King’s legacy, designers must go beyond aesthetics or functionality and consider how their designs can address inequality, amplify underrepresented voices, and create opportunities for all.

Guiding Questions for Designers

To begin incorporating social justice into your work, ask yourself:

  • Who are the most vulnerable or underserved stakeholders in my project?
  • How can my design solutions empower and uplift these individuals or communities?
  • Am I collaborating with the people I’m designing for, or imposing solutions from the outside?
  • Is my design equitable and inclusive in practice, not just intent?

These questions serve as a starting point to critically evaluate your design processes and outcomes, ensuring that justice and equity are central to your work.

Practical Ideas for Social Justice Projects

Justice spelled in scrabble tiles

Designers can make a tangible impact by tackling projects that address systemic inequities. Here are a few ideas to inspire action:

  1. Redesign Public Signage for Accessibility:
    Create multilingual, easily readable, and universally understood public signs to better serve diverse populations, consider incorporating icons or pictograms instead of or in addition to language.
  2. Affordable Assistive Devices:
    Develop low-cost tools like prosthetics, mobility aids, or sensory devices for individuals with disabilities, especially in low-income communities.
  3. Educational Kits for Underserved Youth:
    Design creative learning kits or online platforms to teach STEM and design skills to students in underrepresented areas, helping bridge educational gaps.
  4. Combat Food Deserts:
    Reimagine urban spaces by designing community gardens, mobile food markets, or apps that connect people in food deserts with affordable, healthy options.
  5. Improve Voting Accessibility:
    Design systems or tools that make voting more accessible for individuals with disabilities, non-native speakers, and those without reliable transportation.
  6. Amplify Underrepresented Voices:
    Build platforms that spotlight creatives and innovators from marginalized backgrounds, ensuring their work reaches a broader audience.
  7. Human-Centered Homeless Shelters:
    Reimagine the design of shelters to prioritize dignity, safety, and a sense of community for unhoused individuals.

Start Small, but Start Now

You don’t need to redesign the entire world to make a difference. Everyone can design for social justice. Start with a small, justice-driven project in your own community or within your current workplace. Even a single product, policy, or initiative that prioritizes inclusion and equity can spark meaningful change. Our projects always involve an element of keeping material and construction costs down as well as sourcing materials ethically, even if those projects aren’t explicitly social justice projects. Dr. King believed that every person has the power to contribute to justice and equality, and we believe that there is always a way to incorporate the principles of social justice into our practice. As a designer, your unique skills allow you to influence systems, spaces, and tools that touch millions of lives. Use this power wisely and intentionally to honor his vision and help create a world where equity isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality.

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The Power in Numbers: The State of Women in Design

The Power in Numbers: The State of Women in Design

This article, written by Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, was published in the Fall 2024 Issue of IDSA’s INNOVATION Magazine.

There is power in numbers—whether through data, collective action, or the growing presence of women in the field of industrial design. As our industry continues to evolve, conversations around gender equity have gained traction, especially in the face of persistent challenges such as underrepresentation, career progression barriers, and pay inequality. While we’ve made strides, there’s still a lot we need to dig into and figure out. This article explores key statistics on women in industrial design, takes a look into the troubling mid-career drop-off many women experience, and highlights the urgent need for concrete data to drive systemic change. Understanding the state of women in industrial design is critical, not only for those currently in the field but for the future of the profession itself.

Last spring, the Women in Design Committee gathered as much information as it could find to take the temperature of the state of women in ID. We found some eye-opening statistics. One of the striking statistics is that 70 percent of industrial designers are men, and unfortunately that trend is not getting better. Three recent studies from Data USA (2022), Zippia (2021), and IDSA (2021) show that the percentage of women and nonbinary designers has decreased from 30.77 percent in 2010 to 18.6 percent in 2021. Though this is in line with women’s overall participation in the workforce, the numbers get even worse as women progress in their careers. Between the ages of 30 and 44, the percentage of women in ID drops precipitously, from 38.7 percent to only 5.6 percent.

As women progress from junior to executive roles, an alarming 55 percent leave the industry altogether. By mid-career, many women leave the profession, a shift that raises important questions. Current data on where these women transition after leaving ID is limited, but evidence points to a range of barriers: lack of leadership representation, unconscious bias in the workplace, insufficient mentorship, limited opportunities for advancement into leadership roles—and, of course, the persistent pay gap between men and women. Feedback from industry professionals suggests that many women feel isolated or undervalued, leading them to pursue careers in adjacent fields or leave design altogether.

women in design statistics chart 1

This is something that Dalal Elsheikh, a first-generation Sudanese-American, car enthusiast, and keynote speaker at this year’s IDC in Austin, Texas, has experienced first-hand. Committed to creating opportunities for women and girls of color in traditionally male-dominated spaces, Elsheikh shared insights that provide a valuable perspective on the barriers faced by women, especially women of color, and how we can work to overcome them. One barrier that can be challenging to overcome is the feeling of belonging. When the majority of the people you work with don’t look like you and haven’t had your life experiences, it can be intimidating to take on a leadership role. When discussing advocating for oneself, she shared her thoughts:
“In a creative field like industrial design, it’s so important for designers of all levels and backgrounds to feel heard and respected. I know for women and those of us who don’t see ourselves reflected in the workplace, it can be a daunting task to advocate for ourselves and our ideas. Confidence is a muscle that takes constant exercise to grow. The first time you stand up for your work, share a radical idea, or dare to oppose the status quo, it will feel awkward.”

She added that reflecting on your work and how far you’ve come can help you gain perspective:
“The fact that you have been accepted into this role or program for no reason other than that you are qualified. That knowledge alone should give you the sense of authority you need.”

It is becoming increasingly important to include a diversity of thought and ideas in the work we do as industrial designers. In my role as the founder and principal designer at Interwoven, it has become a key selling point that we are a woman-led and primarily women-staffed design consultancy. This diversity has allowed us to approach design challenges with fresh perspectives, resulting in more innovative solutions. However, it wasn’t until I led my own firm that I truly felt people were actively listening when I spoke, and open to the ideas I put forth. At Interwoven, I’ve witnessed first-hand how creating a space where women’s voices are not only heard but valued leads to richer, more inclusive design outcomes. Our team’s unique perspectives have helped us tackle complex problems in ways that wouldn’t have been possible in a more homogeneous environment. It has reinforced my belief that diverse teams aren’t just good for equity—they are critical for creativity and pushing the boundaries of design.

Elsheikh shared a similar experience. When she first entered the automotive industry, she worked on a car interior project focused on enhancing rider comfort, specifically considering where a woman rider might prefer to place her purse. The design team, which was primarily composed of men, brainstormed many ideas: “Maybe it’s a hook she can hang her purse on, or maybe a compartment, or a shelf she can position a bag on, or how about under the seat?” Elsheikh didn’t feel qualified to share her insight with this group of seasoned designers, so she kept quiet and didn’t share that these suggestions seemed unlikely; most women, she believed, would want to keep their bag in their lap or on the seat beside them, and don’t feel comfortable keeping their bags out of sight. “I felt unqualified, but in actuality I was at that moment the most qualified,” Elsheikh said. “I had the lived experience of being a woman, being someone who used ride-hail services, and someone who carries a purse.” This experience illustrates how essential it is for women to feel empowered to share their unique perspectives, as they often bring invaluable insights that others may overlook.

women in design statistics chart 2

It is critical to cultivate and support women and nonbinary designers in becoming thought leaders within our field. To bring attention to these concerning trends and other key statistics, the Women in Design (WID) Committee created a large data visualization poster for the International Design Conference (IDC). This interactive exhibit encouraged attendees to engage directly with the data through various prompts aimed at gathering qualitative feedback. In one exercise, we asked attendees to vote on which question the community believes is most crucial to explore further. In others, we invited reflections on allyship and workplace inclusion.

From this exercise, we learned that one of the most concerning trends in industrial design—the dramatic mid-career drop-off of women—was a key issue that many attendees wanted to understand better. While women make up more than half of the graduates receiving industrial design degrees, this promising start doesn’t translate into long-term careers. The Women in Design (WID) Committee has recognized the need for more concrete data to fully understand the reasons behind this drop-off. By collecting more precise data on where these women transition, and by identifying the barriers that push them out of industrial design, IDSA and the WID committee aim to develop targeted solutions. These findings will guide future initiatives, from mentorship programs to policies addressing work-life balance and leadership pathways, all designed to support women through the most challenging phases of their careers.

In collaboration with IDSA’s Research Committee, we are working to scope out future research that will explore these transitions and uncover root causes, with the goal of developing strategies to retain female talent and foster long-term career growth in the field. While conversations around gender equity have helped raise awareness, the WID Committee believes it’s time to move beyond dialogue and take action. Ultimately, the goal is to use this data to inform industry-wide changes that will create more inclusive environments, foster diversity in leadership, and ensure that women not only enter industrial design but thrive throughout their careers. As Elsheikh said: “As we continue to see women entering (and more importantly, staying in) design roles and moving up the corporate ladder, we can only hope that the strength in numbers will put forward the importance of the female perspective.”

The conversation around women in industrial design is not just about representation. It’s about creating meaningful, lasting change in the industry. The data is clear: Women enter the field in strong numbers, too many leave by mid-career, driven by barriers such as lack of leadership opportunities, mentorship, and pay equality. Through efforts like the Women in Design Committee and their collaboration with IDSA’s Research Committee, we are beginning to take the necessary steps to move from dialogue to action. By gathering concrete data and addressing the root causes behind the mid-career drop-off, we can develop targeted strategies to retain and elevate women and nonbinary designers. This is about more than equity—it’s about the future of industrial design itself. As Dalai Elsheikh reminds us, “the strength in numbers will put forward the importance of the female perspective,” and that perspective is vital to pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in our field. It’s time to ensure that women not only enter industrial design but thrive throughout their careers, shaping the future of the industry.

—Rebecca Paikes-Friedman, FIDSA
rpf@getinterwoven.com

References

Bartlett, Kristin, “Women in Industrial Design: A Review,” Proyecta56 an Industrial Design Journal, https://www.zippia.com/industrial-design-internship-jobs/demographics, June 2023.

Data USA, “Commercial and Industrial Designers,” https://datausa.io/profile/soc/commercial-and-industrial-designers, 2022.

Industrial Design Society of America, “2021 Membership Survey Findings Report,” https://www.idsa.org/2021-membership-survey-findings-report, 2021.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “Labor Force Participation Rate: Women,” https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LNS11300032, 2024.

Zippia, “Industrial Design Internship Demographics and Statistics in the U.S.,” https://www.zippia.com/industrial-design-internship-jobs/demographics/, 2021.

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Wearable Tech in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges

Wearable Tech in Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges

Wearable technology has revolutionized personal health monitoring, empowering individuals to take control of their well-being like never before. From tracking steps to monitoring heart rates and detecting sleep patterns, wearables are becoming an integral part of the healthcare ecosystem. The journey of wearable health technology began with simple pedometers and fitness trackers. Over the years, these devices have evolved into sophisticated tools capable of monitoring health metrics like ECGs [electrocardiograms], blood oxygen levels, and glucose levels. Key milestones include the launch of the Fitbit in 2009, popularizing fitness tracking, the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, which debuted with integrated health features, and continuous glucose monitors becoming mainstream in the early 2020s. These advancements illustrate the rapid progression of wearable technology and further underscore its potential in the market. The global market for wearable medical devices was valued at $60 billion in 2022 and has been growing steadily. This Insight article explores the opportunities and challenges in wearable health tech, outlines key design considerations for designing in this area, and provides product examples to bring the concepts to life.

Opportunities in Wearable Health Monitoring

doctor holding an iPhone

The rise of wearable health technology is transforming the landscape of personal healthcare, offering users real-time insights that empower them to take charge of their well-being. These devices provide immediate healthcare metrics as well as feedback on those metrics, and play a pivotal role in preventative care, chronic disease management, and personalized health solutions. By integrating with advanced technologies like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), wearables are changing how individuals monitor their health and engage with healthcare providers, ultimately fostering a more proactive, data-driven approach to wellness.

1. Empowering Individuals with Real-Time Insights – Wearables provide users with immediate feedback on their health, fostering awareness and encouraging healthier habits.

Product Example: Fitbit Charge 6 The Fitbit Charge 5 offers real-time feedback on a user’s health by tracking heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. With built-in features like the Daily Readiness Score and stress management tools, the device empowers individuals to monitor their health continuously and adjust their habits accordingly to improve well-being.

2. Preventative Healthcare – By identifying early warning signs of conditions such as arrhythmias or sleep apnea, wearables can facilitate timely interventions and reduce healthcare costs.

Product Example: Withings ScanWatch The Withings ScanWatch is a hybrid smartwatch that combines traditional timekeeping with advanced health monitoring. It can detect early signs of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib) through an ECG feature, as well as monitor blood oxygen levels and sleep apnea. This helps users identify potential health issues before they become critical, enabling timely interventions and preventative care.

3. Chronic Disease Management – Devices like continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure trackers enable patients to manage conditions such as diabetes and hypertension more effectively.

Product Example: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitoring system designed for individuals with diabetes. It provides real-time glucose readings and sends alerts when blood sugar levels are too high or low. This allows users to take immediate action to manage their diabetes more effectively, reducing the risk of complications associated with the condition.

4. Personalized Health Solutions – Wearables’ ability to collect continuous data allows for tailored health recommendations, advancing the concept of precision medicine.

Product Example: Oura Ring The Oura Ring collects a wealth of personal health data, including sleep patterns, physical activity, heart rate variability, and body temperature. It uses this continuous data to provide personalized insights and recommendations, helping users optimize their lifestyle and health habits based on their unique biology and needs, advancing the concept of precision medicine.

5. Integration with AI and IoT – Connected ecosystems, powered by artificial intelligence, allow wearables to sync with other devices and share data with healthcare providers, enhancing diagnosis and care coordination.

Product Example: Apple Watch Series 10 The Apple Watch Series 10 is an excellent example of wearable health technology that integrates AI and IoT. The device tracks a range of health metrics (like heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen levels, and more), and syncs with other devices and apps within the Apple ecosystem. Through machine learning, it provides personalized health insights and allows healthcare providers to access the data for better diagnosis and care coordination.

Challenges in Designing Wearable Health Devices

woman wearing an apple watch

Designing wearable health devices presents a unique set of challenges that require careful consideration of both technical and user-centric factors. From creating a seamless user experience that balances comfort and functionality to ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and security of the data collected, developers must navigate a complex landscape. Additionally, concerns over battery life, data privacy, and regulatory compliance add further layers of complexity to the design process, making it essential for manufacturers to strike a balance between innovation and practicality.

1. User Experience (UX) Design – Wearables must strike a balance between aesthetics, usability, and comfort for long-term wear.

2. Data Accuracy and Reliability – Ensuring consistent, reliable data in varying conditions (e.g., movement, temperature) remains a significant hurdle.

3. Battery Life and Power Efficiency – Extended battery life is important for user satisfaction as well as functionality, requiring careful trade-offs in hardware design.

4. Data Privacy and Security – Protecting sensitive health information from breaches is paramount, especially in connected devices.

5. Regulatory Compliance – Navigating stringent regulations, such as FDA approval, can slow innovation and increase development costs.

Design Considerations for Wearable Health Tech

With these opportunities and challenges in mind, what should we be thinking about as designers approaching a wearable project in the healthcare industry? Well…ideally, a lot. Here are a few of the considerations we prioritize here at Interwoven when designing wearable health devices.

designers collaborating on paper with computers

1. Ergonomics + Comfort – Devices should be comfortable and adaptable to various body types for continuous use and suitability for a broad audience.

2. Materials and Durability – Hypoallergenic and sweat-resistant materials ensure safety and reliability. Sustainable materials also appeal to eco-conscious users.

3. Aesthetics – Designers must create visually appealing devices that seamlessly integrate into users’ lifestyles.

4. Accessibility – Products should cater to diverse demographics, including older adults and individuals with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity.

Take a look at our Breg CrossRunner Soft Knee Brace project or our Whitecloud Medical Utility Bag project to get a sense of how these considerations play out in a real application. Check out our Spotlight interview with medical design consultant Yukiko Naoi to dive deeper into the design process for medical projects. 

Case Study: Apple Watch’s ECG Monitoring

The introduction of the Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram (ECG) feature in 2018 marked a major milestone in wearable health technology. With FDA clearance, the Apple Watch became one of the first consumer devices to offer medical-grade heart health monitoring, allowing users to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heart conditions. By enabling users to take an ECG with just the touch of their finger on the watch’s digital crown, Apple combined cutting-edge technology with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. This design made it easy for individuals, even those without a medical background, to perform the test and receive immediate results. The seamless integration of this feature into the Apple Watch’s existing ecosystem of health and fitness tracking tools offered users a holistic approach to heart health monitoring, empowering them to stay proactive about their well-being.

The success of the Apple Watch’s ECG feature underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and user-centric design in wearable health tech. FDA clearance not only ensured that the device met high medical standards for accuracy and safety but also established it as a trusted tool for health monitoring. This regulatory approval boosted consumer confidence, positioning the Apple Watch as a legitimate, medically reliable device. By detecting conditions like AFib early, the wearable has the potential to prevent serious health issues, ultimately reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. As wearable technology continues to evolve, the Apple Watch’s ECG feature serves as a prime example of how innovation, regulatory adherence, and user experience can come together to create a product that positively impacts personal and public health.

The Role of Design

Designers play a pivotal role in the success of wearable tech in healthcare. By prioritizing human-centered design, they can create solutions that are not only functional but also transformative. As wearables continue to evolve, designers must think beyond aesthetics to address usability, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, these considerations will pave the way for innovations that improve lives and redefine healthcare. Wearable technology represents a unique intersection of design, technology, and healthcare. For design professionals, this field offers immense opportunities to contribute meaningfully while tackling exciting, genuine challenges. The future of wearable health tech is bright—and design is at the core of that potential.

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10 Innovative Material Resources for Designers

10 Innovative Material Resources for Designers

In the ever-evolving world of design, materials often serve as the foundation for creativity and innovation. Whatever the project, the right materials can elevate your work from functional to extraordinary. With the growing emphasis on sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics, today’s designers are not just seeking raw materials—they’re exploring innovative resources that push boundaries. From bio-based composites to advanced upcycling, these materials are transforming industries and redefining what’s possible. This Insight article explores ten exceptional resources that provide cutting-edge materials for designers, offering tools to fuel inspiration and solve complex challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, these innovative platforms and products are sure to expand your toolkit and your imagination.

1. Queen of Raw

Recycled Textiles at Your Fingertips
Queen of Raw [now Aloqia] is a digital marketplace for surplus and deadstock fabrics. By connecting designers with unused materials from global fashion brands, it promotes sustainability while reducing landfill waste. Whether you need high-end silk or performance fabrics, this platform offers eco-conscious alternatives for your projects.

Best For: Apparel, interiors, and sustainable design projects.

2. Material ConneXion

The Ultimate Material Library
Material ConneXion is a treasure trove for designers seeking innovative materials. With a physical library and a digital database, it houses thousands of materials, including bio-based plastics, smart textiles, and translucent concrete. Their team of material scientists can also help guide your choices.

Best For: Comprehensive material exploration across industries.

Material ConneXion swatches
Material ConneXion material showroom, NYC.

3. FabScrap

Closing the Loop on Fabric Waste
Based in New York City, FabScrap collects and redistributes textile waste from fashion brands. Designers can access their diverse inventory, which includes remnants and high-quality fabric rolls, perfect for sustainable and small-scale creations.

Best For: Ethical fashion and small-scale production.

Fabscrap fabrics on bolts
Fabscrap’s colorful textile inventory.

4. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute

Certified for Sustainability
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute is a nonprofit that certifies materials that meet rigorous sustainability and safety criteria. Their database includes everything from non-toxic paints to recyclable packaging solutions, empowering designers to create responsibly.

Best For: Designers aiming to achieve circular economy principles.

5. BASF Creation Center

Rethink Plastics with Innovation Labs
BASF’s [Badische Anilin und Sodafabrik] Creation Centers are hubs for designers and engineers to experiment with high-performance materials. From lightweight composites to bio-based plastics, the center offers solutions tailored for everything from automotive design to consumer goods.

Best For: Advanced material innovation for industrial design.

6. Precious Plastics

DIY Recycling for Circular Designs
Precious Plastics is a global community of makers who repurpose plastic waste into functional products. Their open-source machines and tutorials allow designers to turn discarded plastics into bespoke materials for projects.

Best For: Designers passionate about hands-on recycling and upcycling.

7. MatWeb

Comprehensive Material Data at Your Fingertips
MatWeb is an extensive online database offering detailed technical specifications for thousands of materials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. It allows designers and engineers to quickly access material properties, aiding in the selection of the right material for any project, while promoting better decision-making based on performance characteristics.

Best For: Engineers and product designers looking for detailed material data for informed decision-making.

8. Modern Meadow

Lab-Grown Leather for the Future
Modern Meadow’s bio-fabricated leather alternative, Zoa, offers the look and feel of leather without the environmental impact of traditional animal products. This lab-grown material is customizable, durable, and eco-friendly.

Best For: Fashion, accessories, and upholstery design.

9. Colorifix

Revolutionizing Dyeing with Biology
Colorifix uses microorganisms to produce sustainable dyes, eliminating the harmful chemicals and water-intensive processes of traditional textile dyeing. The vibrant, biodegradable colors are perfect for forward-thinking designers.

Best For: Textile and fashion design with an eco-conscious edge.

Colorfix sustainable dyes from nature
Colorfix creates sustainable dyes from plants, insects, microbes, and more.

10. Material District

Inspiring Design Through Material Innovation
Material District is a comprehensive platform showcasing thousands of cutting-edge material samples and trends across industries like architecture, fashion, and product design. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, it serves as a go-to resource for discovering new possibilities and gaining insights into the latest material advancements.

Best For: Designers seeking inspiration and up-to-date material trends across multiple industries.

Time to Investigate

Materials bridge the gap between ideas and reality, offering designers the tools to innovate, reduce waste, and craft meaningful products. These resources are ten of our favorites, and there are many more. With access to groundbreaking materials and resources, designers have the power to redefine what’s possible. Whether you’re creating a collection, prototyping a product, or building structures, these material resources will inspire and support your journey toward innovation and sustainability.

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The Dual Identity: Navigating the Roles of Artist and Designer

The Dual Identity: Navigating the Roles of Artist and Designer

The line between artist and designer often blurs, marrying two distinct yet complementary identities in the creative world. Both roles thrive on innovation, imagination, and a deep understanding of the human experience. That said, their purposes, approaches, and impacts often differ. This duality presents a fascinating interplay of challenges and opportunities for those who navigate both worlds, raising an important question: how can the distinct roles of artist and designer complement one another to create meaningful work? Here at Interwoven, we are especially interested in how the identity and approach of the artist can enhance our work as designers. In this Insight article we outline the key aspects of the artist and the designer, noting where they align and where they converge, and discuss the challenges and benefits of a dual identity.

Understanding the Core Roles

To appreciate the dual identity, it’s important to explore the foundations of these roles and how they differ in intent and execution.

The Artist: A Voice of Expression

Artists are creators of culture, crafting works that communicate ideas, emotions, and critiques of society. Their work stems from a deep well of personal expression and exploration, often unbound by external limitations. Artists revel in ambiguity and invite their audiences to interpret their creations freely. A painting, sculpture, or installation may not serve a direct functional purpose, but its power lies in its ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire dialogue.

artist paints mural

Think of artists like Frida Kahlo, whose paintings delve into personal pain and identity, or Jean-Michel Basquiat, who used his art to challenge racial and social inequities. Their work is timeless, not because it solves a problem, but because it captures the human experience and prompts an emotional response from the viewer.

The Designer: A Problem Solver

Designers, in contrast, take a more structured approach to creativity, aiming to solve specific problems or improve an experience. Their work must meet functional, aesthetic, and practical requirements, often operating within constraints like budgets, material limitations, deadlines, and client specifications.

Designers create for utility and accessibility, ensuring their products or solutions align with the needs of the audience. The work of Dieter Rams, with his “less, but better” philosophy, exemplifies this ethos. Every curve, button, and material choice in his designs is intentional, aimed at enhancing usability and delighting the user.

Points of Intersection

Despite these differences, artists and designers share several key similarities that can serve as bridges between their practices, or as common territory for those artist designers who wear both hats and live in both worlds.

1. Creativity as a Core Driver

At the heart of both roles lies a deep well of creativity. Whether an artist is sketching a concept for a mural or a designer is iterating on a prototype, both rely on imagination and out-of-the-box thinking to bring their visions to life. They are both admired for their ability to think differently, to see what has previously been overlooked, and to present the familiar in a way that makes it feel new.

2. Mastery of Tools and Mediums

Artists and designers often share tools and techniques, though their applications differ. Both might work with digital software, physical materials, or even artificial intelligence to explore their ideas. The difference lies in intent: while an artist might use 3D modeling software to sculpt a conceptual piece and the intent to make a political statement, a designer might use the same software to perfect the ergonomics of a new chair to meet the needs of a niche user group.

3. A Deep Understanding of Human Experience

Both artists and designers connect with people, albeit in different ways. Artists aim to provoke emotion, spark curiosity, or challenge perceptions, while designers focus on improving daily lives through functional and user-friendly creations. In either case, the human experience is central to their work, and deep empathy and insight are core skills.

Contrasting Mindsets

The differences between artists and designers are often most evident in how they approach their work and the mindset they bring to their practice:

1. Purpose vs. Process

For artists, the process of creation can be as meaningful as the final product, or even more so. Many artists begin their work without a predefined goal, letting their intuition and emotions guide the journey. Designers, however, are inherently purpose-driven, working toward a clear objective: solving a problem, fulfilling a need, or meeting a client’s expectations. This objective is typically approached with a consistent process, pre-defined and used, at least to some degree, across challenges. 

2. Constraints as Catalysts

Constraints play very different roles in these disciplines. Designers thrive on limitations—time, budget, materials—which often inspire innovative solutions. Artists, in contrast, may set their own constraints, such as working within a particular medium or theme, but they often enjoy greater creative freedom.

3. Audience and Feedback

The relationship with the audience also differs significantly. Artists typically create with a broad, undefined audience in mind, inviting subjective interpretation. Artists are also free to create with a single, specific audience in mind, a pitfall for designers. Designers cater to a specific user base, relying on research and feedback to refine their work and ensure it meets practical needs.

The Power of Synergy

The intersection of art and design offers rich opportunities for innovation and expression. By blending the two disciplines, creatives can elevate their work, creating pieces that are both functional and emotionally resonant.

Zaha Hadid’s architectural masterpieces stand as a prime example of art and design coexisting harmoniously. Her structures are not just functional spaces but also sculptural works of art that transform urban landscapes. Similarly, Virgil Abloh’s approach to fashion blurred the line between streetwear and high art, using Off-White as a platform for cultural commentary and design innovation. In product design, companies like Apple have embraced this duality. The sleek, minimalist aesthetics of their products reflect artistic sensibilities, while their intuitive functionality speaks to rigorous design principles.

Artists who adopt design thinking bring intentionality and structure to their work. For example, when an artist creates a public mural, they may consider the surrounding environment, community needs, and the logistics of scale—elements rooted in design thinking.

Designers who embrace an artist’s mindset can imbue their work with deeper meaning and originality. By allowing room for experimentation and intuition, they push the boundaries of conventional design, creating products and experiences that resonate emotionally.

The Challenges of Duality

Balancing the roles of artist and designer comes with a unique set of challenges. The freedom and introspection of artistic expression can often feel at odds with the structured, outcome-driven nature of design. Artists may feel constrained by the demands of functionality, client needs, or market trends, while designers might struggle to embrace the unstructured, exploratory process that defines art. This tension can lead to creative friction, where satisfying both the emotional depth of art and the practicality of design becomes a difficult balancing act.

Another challenge lies in audience perception and reception. The open-ended, interpretive nature of art might conflict with the clarity and direct usability that design often requires. A creative work that tries to blend both may risk alienating audiences—being too abstract for functional purposes yet too utilitarian to evoke profound emotional impact.

The duality can also create internal conflict for creatives who wear both hats. Switching between the roles of artist and designer requires significant mental flexibility. An artist may need to step away from personal expression to meet a design brief, while a designer must sometimes abandon the comfort of structure to embrace uncertainty. Navigating this mental shift can be draining, particularly when projects demand the coexistence of both mindsets simultaneously.

Collaborations can add another layer of complexity. When artists and designers work together, differing priorities and communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. Artists may prioritize originality and autonomy, while designers may focus on functionality and user feedback, potentially leading to compromises that feel unsatisfactory to both parties.

Finally, external pressures, such as commercial viability or societal expectations, can exacerbate these challenges. The art world values risk-taking and personal authenticity, while the design industry often prioritizes scalability and consistency. Striking a balance between these external demands can stretch creatives thin, requiring them to manage not only their dual identities but also the expectations of their audiences and stakeholders.

The Benefits of Duality

Embracing the duality of being both an artist and a designer opens up a world of creative possibilities and offers a unique edge in the creative industries. This fusion enables individuals to approach their work with a balance of emotional depth and practical problem-solving, combining the imaginative freedom of art with the structured logic of design. By blending these perspectives, creatives can produce work that is not only visually compelling but also highly functional, creating solutions that resonate on both aesthetic and practical levels.

This duality encourages innovation by allowing for a broader exploration of ideas. Designers can push the boundaries of convention by borrowing an artist’s willingness to experiment with form, texture, and abstraction. Meanwhile, artists who embrace design thinking can make their work more accessible and relevant by considering usability, audience needs, and real-world applications. This synergy often leads to the creation of groundbreaking work that bridges the gap between personal expression and universal appeal.

Another significant benefit of duality is the ability to foster emotional engagement in practical contexts. A designer who thinks like an artist can infuse their work with narrative and meaning, elevating a product or space beyond mere functionality. Whether it’s a beautifully designed object that tells a story or an interactive experience that evokes an emotional response, the combination of artistic storytelling and design utility creates a powerful connection with users.

Duality also cultivates versatility, allowing creatives to navigate diverse types of projects and roles. From designing user-centered products to crafting emotionally resonant campaigns, the ability to shift seamlessly between these identities makes individuals more adaptable in a rapidly evolving creative landscape. It also enables collaboration across disciplines, as dual practitioners can serve as bridges between artistic and design-focused teams, fostering richer, more integrated projects.

Finally, duality nurtures a deeper personal fulfillment in creative practice. By incorporating both the introspective, expressive aspects of art and the purpose-driven, problem-solving nature of design, individuals can experience the satisfaction of creating work that is both deeply meaningful and broadly impactful. This holistic approach allows for the cultivation of a dynamic, multidimensional creative voice that stands out in today’s saturated market.

What Designers Can Learn from Artists

Designers can greatly enhance their work by adopting certain practices from the world of art. One of the most valuable lessons is the power of embracing ambiguity and intuition. Artists often dive into the creative process without a clear end goal, allowing their instincts and emotions to guide them. This openness can help designers break free from rigid constraints and explore unconventional solutions. Additionally, artists prioritize storytelling and personal expression, which can inspire designers to infuse their projects with deeper meaning and narrative. By viewing their designs as not just functional objects but also as opportunities for emotional connection, designers can create work that resonates on a human level. Exploring abstraction, experimenting with mediums, and challenging traditional norms—hallmarks of artistic practice—can lead to innovative breakthroughs in design.

Conclusion

Navigating the dual identity of artist and designer is both a challenge and an opportunity. By embracing the strengths of each role, creatives can unlock new dimensions in their work, enriching their practice and leaving a lasting impact.

In this convergence lies a powerful truth: art and design are not opposites but companions, offering unique lenses through which to view and shape the world. Whether through a masterpiece that moves hearts or a design that changes lives, the synergy of these roles continues to drive humanity forward—proof that when art and design meet, magic happens.

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