M1.2 - Sensory Matters

This paper explores the innovative use of 3D printing to address plastic waste, focusing on Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). A toolkit was made to guide users in manipulating 3D printing parameters to benefit from TPU's unique properties, often considered disadvantages, as design advantages. User testing was conducted in a workshop setting demonstrating the toolkit's effectiveness in bridging the gap between digital design and physical material properties, supporting sustainable design practices. The findings suggest that TPU's quirks can be transformed into innovative design features by physically sensing the material to understand how to implement it in new original ways.