Design to last? Material selection tools considering aesthetic obsolescence

This paper investigates tools for material selection to consider aesthetic obsolescence. Current literature covers material selection and product obsolescence separately or on an overall level, whereas this paper strives to investigate the link between material selection tools and aesthetic obsolescence dimensions. Through qualitative studies of four product development cases, we identify tools that are used to counteract 'wear and tear' obsolescence (including prototyping, accelerated ageing testing, material samples, datasheet as well as personal experience) as well as tools to cope with 'style and fashion' obsolescence (including trendspotting). Our study contributes with an overview and more fine-grained understanding of tools for material selection, and how they consider different aspects of aesthetic obsolescence. Each tool is described, an example of use in context is given, and the benefits or shortcomings of the tools are discussed, to give an overview of the use and purpose of the tools.