Perception-based design: An approach for engineering sustainable biobased materials

Authors

• Manu Thundathil, School of Architecture and Product Design, University of Limerick, Limerick V94T9PX, Ireland; School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New ZealandFollow
• Ali Reza Nazmi, School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; Biomolecular Interaction Centre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New ZealandFollow
• Bahareh Shahri, School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New ZealandFollow
• Nick Emerson, School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New ZealandFollow
• Jörg Müssig, The Biological Materials Group, Biomimetics, Faculty 5, HSB–City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, 28199 Bremen, GermanyFollow
• Tim Huber, School of Product Design, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 4940 Hautcharage, LuxembourgFollow

Abstract

Biobased composites, which are sustainable materials ideally poised to replace fossil-based raw materials, paradoxically are struggling to gain market acceptance. This underperformance is attributed to poor demand and acceptance of biobased composites, driven by technical and perceptual challenges. However, most research on biobased composites focuses on addressing technical challenges and fails to incorporate perceptual qualities into the material development process. By understanding the role of material characteristics (colour, patterns, texture, roughness) in shaping these qualities, we propose that novel biobased composites could be developed to meet specific consumer product needs. A prediction model for generating the desired material perception could help develop novel, sustainable materials that are perceptually appealing to consumers. This paper proposes a modified material design process based on consumer perception. This new process can help material engineers and product designers create new biobased materials that align with the emotional demands of the product segment and user experience.

Keywords

sustainable materials; material development; biobased composite; material perception

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.959

Citation

Thundathil, M., Nazmi, A., Shahri, B., Emerson, N., Müssig, J., and Huber, T. (2026) Perception-based design: An approach for engineering sustainable biobased materials, in Simeone, L., Gray, C. M., Verhoeven, A., de Götzen, A., Bakırlıoğlu, Y., Zohar, H., Stead, M., and Buwert, P. (eds.), DRS2026: Edinburgh, 8–12 June, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.959

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License