Over the last ten years there has been a huge growth in the area of materials for design, but most books on this subject deal with advanced, semi-formed materials (that is, materials sold as sheet, rod, tube, etc.). This book provides much-needed information on the raw materials, and the low-down on how these can be used. Organized into three sections embracing grown, oil-based and mined materials, each entry includes information on key features, typical applications, production processes and sustainability issues. This fact-packed book will allow professional designers and students from a range of disciplines to understand in simple, exciting, visual terms the different qualities and features of materials.

Chris Lefteri is Senior Lecturer in Product Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London. He also runs his own packaging, furniture and product design business in London. His previous books include Making It: Manufacturing Techniques for Product Design, and five titles in the Materials for Inspirational Design series covering Plastic, Wood, Glass, Metals and Ceramics.