In design, materiality is the complete set of an object's sensory properties—its material, weight, texture, temperature, and the way these shape both usability and emotion. This holds true even when the object is digital.

For a long time, materiality was the obvious core of industrial design: wood does not invite the same gesture as metal, and a textured finish does not inspire the same confidence as smooth plastic. Materials do not merely dress an object; they are an integral part of it, carrying its meaning and longevity.

The digital age seemed to dematerialize design, turning everything into fluid, weightless pixels. But we must challenge this illusion. First, because the digital world possesses its own unique materiality—the haptic feedback of a screen, the simulated "depth" of an interface, the sound of an interaction. Second, and most importantly, because nothing is truly immaterial: behind the "cloud" lie servers, copper, energy, and rare earth elements. The apparent lightness of digital design carries a very physical footprint, which we have long preferred to ignore.

Embracing materiality in the digital era means rejecting two illusions: that of a disembodied digital experience, and that of a design process that stops at the screen. Matter always finds its way back, through usability (gestures and touch) and through impact (resources and waste).

Our approach is systemic: responsible design proudly owns its materiality—both what we touch and what we consume. Designing for real use means keeping in mind both the hand that interacts and the planet that supports it. Nothing is immaterial; everything leaves a trace.

What is happening elsewhere: product design, sustainability, lifecycle assessment, emotional design (sensory experiences), and interaction design (digital materiality).

References: materiality in industrial design; debates on digital materiality and infrastructure footprint.