SCAD Interior Materials Classes Presentation, 9 November 2017

Composite Wood-Based Decorative Surfaces
Engineered Alternatives for Rare and Fragile Natural Resources

Material Intelligence was invited to present to several materials classes in SCAD's interior design department. Students were treated to a "lunch and learn" experience, where they actively participated in learning alternatives decorative surfaces for furniture and interiors, and imagined new solutions for real-world material and design challenges. 

The presentation, "Composite Wood-Basted Decorative Surfaces - Engineered Alternatives for Rare and Fragile Natural Resources," focused on the positive properties of particleboard and MDF, thermally fused laminates, 3 dimensional laminates, high-pressure laminates, and decorative papers and foils. 

"Learning to connect with young designers is key to the future of smart design and the responsible use of and preservation of our resources," says Kenn Busch, founder of Material Intelligence. "Not only are these students the next generation of materials specifiers; they represent the next generation of consumers." 

Engineered Alternatives for
Natural Materials:

Video:
Composite Wood-Based Decorative Surfaces

 

A Note from Professor Merrill:

I invited Kenn to talk to my Interior Materials students about laminated materials. His lecture was informative, engaging, and educational. The material was presented at the right level for my third-year students.

He didn't bore students with too many technical details, but put materials in a global context with his observations from international exhibitions. His coverage of projects created by students and young designers from around the world helped bring students into the conversation. 

Kenn kept the class tuned in, and handled students’ questions well. This format and style would be great to have for other material categories as well. Other professors joined the class and found the information useful, and engaged Kenn to dig deeper on some specific questions relevant to their classes.

Laura Merrill, NCIDQ, IIDA
2016–2018 Adjunct Professor of Interior Design, Savannah College of Art and Design

Materials Covered in the SCAD Presentation

HPL

The granddaddy of decorative laminates, HPL has proven itself over decades of use, and still offers more design options than any other material. 

3DL

Durable, easy to clean, 3D laminates are a perfect solution for healthcare, education, and retail. 

Decorative Paper Foils

Found often on vertical surfaces and RTA furniture, no other material is capable of the resolution and realism of decorative papers and foils.

TFL

TFL - thermally fused laminate - combines durability, design, and incredible textures for commericial and residential furniture and panels. 

 

This presentation made possible by: