What might the future of materials look like?

What might the future of materials look like?

At Materials Day at Aalto University, researchers, artists, engineers, and industry professionals came together to explore one shared question: how can material innovation support more sustainable futures?

The intense day brought together material experimentation, design thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration to examine how emerging materials are reshaping both design practice and broader systems of responsibility.

One of the key themes throughout the day was the evolving role of designers in creating more responsible ways of living. Design is increasingly understood as something that extends far beyond material or product development. It influences systems, behaviours, and everyday decisions that shape how resources are used and valued.

Would you design with citrus peels, banana fibres or mushroom mycelium?

Materials play a key role in enabling more responsible ways of living. Exploring materials through practice and innovation across disciplines is essential for accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable material future.

From fungal mycelium and interactive textiles to new bio-based material systems, the presentations demonstrated how design is embedded across the entire innovation process—from material sourcing and production to use, reuse, and end-of-life considerations.

Another important insight was the role of design in connecting disciplines. It brings together technological possibilities, material understanding, and human needs, helping translate research into products, services, and experiences that support sustainable transitions.

Materials Day highlighted that addressing complex sustainability challenges requires collaboration across fields. By bringing together researchers, designers, artists, and industry professionals, the event created space for new perspectives and approaches that would not emerge in isolation.

Design is a driver of sustainability and performance

Design plays a key role in enabling sustainability, as it directly shapes the design and use of products, services, and environments. Responsible design also extends to the development of processes and strategies. In EU sustainability policies, design is recognised as an important driver of sustainable solutions, as it influences consumer behaviour and the use of resources. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy_en

In business, design also has a measurable impact. The Design Management Institute’s Design Value Index shows that companies with high design maturity consistently achieve significantly stronger financial performance compared to their peers. This highlights the importance of design in building both responsible and competitive business in rapidly changing markets.