Nov 21 2024
When we’re shopping, the way a product feels or fits is is a big part of our purchasing process. Knowing this well, product developers see the selection of the right materials as one of the most critical steps in product design and development. From fashionable clothing to durable sports equipment, the choice of materials plays a significant role in the greater product experience. For product creators, the challenge is to combine the best, most appropriate materials with the latest relevant technologies to meet consumer needs. To ensure these materials fit, feel and perform as expected, product creators rely on feedback from testers, such as those at MESH01, who experience early versions of the products through real-world testing.
Types of Materials Often Used in Products
Product design and development includes the critical step of selecting appropriate materials based on the product’s purpose. In product categories, we’re all used to, like activewear, footwear, or outerwear, the product’s performance is largely determined by the materials chosen. Common materials options in these product groups include:
- Natural materials like cotton, wool, and leather offer breathability, comfort, and natural insulation.
- Synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and spandex are favored for their durability, moisture-wicking properties, and stretch. They can also be developed for water-resistant, waterproof, and insulative properties.
- Blended fabrics that combine natural and synthetic fibers provide benefits such as increased comfort with added durability and flexibility.
The material choice istailored to the specific demands of the product. High-performance running shoes, for example, rely on lightweight, breathable synthetics, while cold-weather jackets may incorporate insulating and waterproof materials to provide both comfort and protection.
The Role of Technology in Material Innovation
Advances in technology are revolutionizing how designers innovate with materials. Today’s product creators don’t just select materials based on their basic properties—they use cutting-edge technologies to enhance performance.
Some of these technologies that might be familiar to us as customers include, moisture-wicking properties -sometimes even made possible by yarn shapes- in fabric allow for better sweat management, keeping users dry and comfortable. Four-way stretch materials provide added flexibility, ideal for athletic wear where freedom of movement is essential. Waterproof membranes of varying levels of breathability and lightweight insulating technologies ensure that products designed for the outdoors perform well in tough weather conditions.
Highlighted in The Interline’s article on sustainable material sourcing, there’s been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly materials, too. Product creators have been exploring bio-based materials, recycled fabrics,, sustainable production techniques and more, many of which are becoming more popular as consumers prioritize sustainability. The trend toward environmentally friendly materials balances performance and a reduced environmental impact, meeting both performance goals and consumer demand for more responsible production practices.
How Product Tester Feedback Guides Material Choices
While materials innovation and new technologies continue to create exciting new product possibilities, real-world feedback from product testers like those in the MESH01 Product Tester Community has been critical in shaping the final product. Because of their ability to put products to use in real-world ways while being highly representative of the market, product testers are essential in evaluating materials based on comfort, durability, performance, and beyond.
Product testers help determine how comfortable the material feels when worn—whether it’s breathable enough if it causes irritation, or if it offers the desired flexibility during use. They assess durability, providing insight into how materials withstand wear and tear, repeated washing, or exposure to harsh conditions. Testers also provide performance feedback, such as how well waterproof fabrics keep users dry or how effectively a moisture-wicking shirt performs during high-intensity workouts.
This feedback helps product creators refine their material choices or even inform further material development. A fabric that performs well in controlled lab settings might need adjustments once tested in the real world. By incorporating tester insights, designers ensure their material choices align with consumer expectations and deliver practical results in everyday scenarios.
The Importance of Consumer Expectations for Materials
Consumer preferences and expectations greatly impact the types of materials used in product design. As consumers become more educated about product features and technologies. They increasingly look for specific material qualities, such as sustainability, comfort, and specific performance attributes.
MESH01 Product Testers, representing a cross-section of real consumers, help product creators understand these evolving desires and expectations. Their feedback on how materials meet—or fall short of—consumer expectations guides product designers and developers in making more informed, more consumer-oriented choices. Whether consumers want more sustainable options, better-performing fabrics, or greater comfort, the feedback from testers helps ensure that the final products are optimized for these preferences.
Selecting the Right Materials with the Help of MESH01
Selecting the right materials for product design and development is complex. But an essential process that combines material science, innovation, and real-world feedback. By leveraging advanced materials and technologies and incorporating the valuable insights from MESH01 Product Testers, product creators can craft products that meet the highest comfort, durability, and performance standards.
