The 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing incites us to take stock of how far technology has brought us in the last half a century and explore new material resources on our planet and beyond.
By looking out beyond our planet, we regain perspective on what it is to be a human, living on Earth. A woke generation of designers and scientists optimise material usage and give familiar materials unusual properties. In our built environment, digital interfaces are overlaid onto inert surfaces, and patterns which trigger augmented reality are incorporated.
As sensors and microprocessors become smaller and technology evolves to become emotional and unobtrusive, intriguing and tactile materials define future devices. Dramatic textural contrast between high-shine and rough-hewn finishes imbue products with an elemental feel and produce awe-inspiring illusions.
For colour directions relating to this theme, see Augmented Space: Colour from our Colour Spectrum S/S 20.