Ultra Materials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World [Hardcover]

George M. Beylerian (Author), Andrew Dent (Author), Bradley Quinn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2007

The single most significant influence on today's manmade environment: materials innovation. Here is an indispensable resource for interior, product, graphic, and fashion designers, and anyone involved with packaging, design, or architecture.

Smart substances, intelligent interfaces, and sensory surfaces are redefining the world we live in, from self-cleaning materials based on the surface morphology of a lotus leaf to outdoor pavilions made from inflatable membrane exteriors to temperature-regulated clothing.

The people at Material ConneXion are uniquely placed to explain these developments:

the context and key tools for innovation, including biomimicry, nanotechnology, and sustainability;

the application of new materials in interior, fashion, textiles, product, and vehicle design;

where current developments are leading, along with the implications for educators, professionals, and society as a whole.

The book includes a classified presentation of the four hundred most recent significant materials; a directory of designers, design conferences, trade shows, and professional organizations; and details of degree programs, grants, scholarships, internships, research labs, and competitions.

Over 600 illustrations in color and black & white

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George M. Beylerian is the founder of Material ConneXion. Andrew Dent directs Material ConneXion's research into innovative materials and processes. Bradley Quinn is the author of numerous books on fashion, architecture and style.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (November 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500513821
• ISBN-13: 978-0500513828
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing and misleading, March 20, 2008

By 

Designer "Green Gal" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultra Materials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World (Hardcover)

This is a book written by the folks who are tied to Material Connexion - a for-fee, for-profit group who have researched many materials that you can only access as a paid member. (And the membership is NOT cheap.) What that translated into, for this book, is that the discussion revolves around specific, groundbreaking materials without ever revealing what they are. So the sum total of information you can glean is NOTHING. Essentially, they state that there ARE cool materials out there but not who makes them or where to source them. DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK. There is another title, Transmaterial and its second edition, Transmaterial 2 which does an excellent job of researching the same materials - and then giving the designer or architect the information necessary to actually find and purchase those materials. Very disappointing and misleading.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great synthesis of design and science of materials, August 10, 2009

By 

R. Lehrer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultra Materials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World (Hardcover)

I was looking for a book that really discussed how specific designers were inspired by materials, and while also including other interesting sections, "Ultra Materials" fit the bill perfectly. The authors interviewed a really impressive collection of designers including: Philippe Starck, Isaac Mizrahi, Naoto Fukasawa, Jurgen Mayer, Ross Lovegrove and Zaha Hadid, just to name a few. What ends up emerging is a book that really illustrates the integration of material technology and creativity.

In order to set up the symbiosis captured by these designers, other sections give a scientific background that helps to explain the categorization, development and implementation of different material types. Not only did I end up learning a considerable amount about materials but it also provided an excellent introduction to innovators and their specific and often groundbreaking products in the design community. An added bonus was that almost every discussion of a product, building or material was accompanied by a beautiful photograph. The authors of "Ultra Materials" were able to merge the science and creativity behind materials in relevant and engaging text. If this kind of synthesizing is what you're looking for, this book could be one of your best choices.