Cursos / 2º Ciclo / Faculty of Architecture and Arts :: Product Design

DESIGN E MATERIAIS - 2025/2026

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 2nd semester
ECTS: 7.5

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutora Benedita Camacho
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutora Benedita Camacho

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 2 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

Stimulate research and development of innovative solutions in materials; Reach levels of high complexity in the field of materials and their suitability; Develop innovative products in terms of materials in different project contexts; Acquire reflective and original thinking, proposing new ways of using materials and/or new applications; Integrate knowledge in the field of materials and technologies in the search for solutions to specific product design problems.

Specific Aims/Objectives

The syllabus responds to the objectives of the Master´s Degree in Product Design, focused on innovation and launching integrated systems of new products onto the market, but also to those of the course unit, stimulating prospection, enquiry and research into new solutions and/or applications of materials. Analysing cases of excellence and/or inspiration encourages new actions and stimulates highly complex research models.

Skills to be acquired

Have a thorough understanding of the materials and associated technological processes;
Know how to transform, obtaining answers for new design contexts;
Consolidate the ability to research and develop new applications using new materials;
Understand impact factors, life cycles and sustainability in product design;
Master experimental instruments and procedures for testing, trialling and prototyping in a laboratory/workshop environment.

Teaching Procedures

Participatory exhibition; debate; visualisation of relevant and inspiring iconographic material; study visits;Encouragement of applied research;Tutorial supervision of projects (individual and team projects) with a high level of complexity.

Programme

Groups of materials (wood, textiles, ceramics, metals, glass, polymers and composites)
Criteria for selecting and adapting materials in product design
Combinatorial power of materials in creating new applications
Integrating new materials into new contexts
Reconfiguration of base materials and changes in performance
Materials and surfaces capable of changing properties through external inputs (Smart Materials)
Electro-active polymers
Shape memory materials (SMM) and Shape memory technologies (SMT)
Biomaterials
Optimisation of transformer instruments
Characterisation and adaptation of transformation processes (machines, equipment and tools) in
different product design contexts
Impact, sustainability and life cycle of materials
Analysing excellent, innovative and inspiring case studies.

Evaluation Type

General Regulations for 2nd Cycles of Study Leading to a Master´s Degree at Universidade Lusíada
Continuous Assessment 60%
Final Exam 40%
Continuous assessment: a written test; a research project; class participation; quality of oral and written expression; demonstration of interest in the programme contents and ability to interpret and relate them.
Final assessment: frequency test.

Teaching Resources

Moodle. Supporting texts, compulsory or optional reading.
UL Media Library and Library and others.
Audio-visual material.
Computer with internet.
Study visits and open classes.

Sustainability Objectives

The sustainability objectives of the UC are aligned with CITAD, GI4 Innovation, Design and (Im)material Culture:
STRONG
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
MODERATE
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13 - Climate Action
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

Design and materials;
Groups of materials;
Suitability of materials;
Materials research.

Main Bibliography