On-demand
1 hour of video learning
Additional resources
Material Literacy 101
Sustainable Materials Workshop for Designers
Get started here. The stuff you really need to know.
Learn how to choose sustainable materials with confidence
Material Literacy 101 is an online workshop designed to help designers understand sustainable materials, material lifecycles, and circular design principles. The course introduces a practical framework for evaluating materials and making better material choices in product, interior, and architectural design.
What People Are Saying
‘Thanks again for such an inspiring session - I always come away from your workshops feeling motivated and full of ideas.’
Olivia, Student / Interior Designer‘Massive thank you for today, absolutely fantastic session. I have personally learnt a lot, which never really happens in my role anymore, some super thought-provoking topics.
Participant, No7 Beauty Group‘Incredibly informative—opened my eyes to new materials and ways of thinking about design. Highly recommend!’
Online Workshop AttendeeA practical online workshop on sustainable materials for designers
Material Literacy 101 is a short, practical online workshop designed to help designers understand how materials work, where they come from, and how to make better material choices in their projects.
If you're interested in sustainable design, circular thinking, or emerging materials, this workshop will give you the foundations you need to understand materials more clearly.
In just one hour, you'll understand the foundations of circular material selection, which goes beyond trends, marketing claims, and surface-level sustainability language.
What you'll learn
This workshop introduces a simple framework for understanding materials in design.
Topics include:
Understanding where materials come from
Whether the are grown, mined or derived from petrol chemicals.
Understanding material lifecycles
How materials move from extraction and production to use, disposal, and reuse.
Circular thinking for designers
How designers can consider repair, reuse, recycling, and material recovery when making design decisions.
A framework for evaluating materials
A practical way to assess materials beyond aesthetics or marketing language.
Overview.
Why does making conscious design choices feel harder than ever?
Hint: It’s not because designers care less.
More materials.
More processes.
More sustainability claims.
More pressure to do the right thing.
Less clarity.
Therefore, to design responsibly in today’s world, you must think clearly about materials.
Better doesn’t mean being perfect or having all the answers.
Materials Literacy is a practical way to understand materials well enough to make informed, conscious design decisions.
Is this course right for me.
Who is this course for?
Product designers
Industrial designers
Architects and interior designers
Design leads and decision-makers
Students looking to upskill
Designer Makers
Design Educators
Founders and teams building physical products
Home renovators
If material choices affect your work, this course is for you.
Who is this not for?
The lessons, videos, and exercises in this course are designed for beginners to intermediates in materials thinking.
If you are a trained materials scientist or already deeply specialised in material engineering, you may find parts of this course too foundational.
Workshop format
Material Literacy 101 is a self-paced online workshop.
You will receive:
• 1 hour of video learning
• access anytime after purchase
• the ability to pause and return whenever you want
• additional resources to continue exploring materials
It is designed to fit easily into a busy schedule while still offering meaningful insights.
Pricing
To keep the workshop accessible offer the following prices:
£20 – Student / low income ticket
£30 – Standard ticket
Meet your tutor.
Who’s running the course?
Hi, I’m Olivia!
I started Do Not Go Gentle to challenge the guilt and fear that often surround sustainability in design. I believe real change happens when people feel informed, inspired, and empowered to take action. Through my work, I help clients use design as a force for good, giving them the tools and confidence to make sustainable choices that really matter.
I studied Textile Design at Central Saint Martins and spent eight years running my own surface design studio, creating handmade, bespoke materials and collaborating with brands, architects, and designers around the world. My work has been featured in Frame and Elle Decoration, and in 2022 I expanded my focus by studying Sustainability in Business at Cambridge.
Today, alongside Do Not Go Gentle, I teach Interior Design at Falmouth University, consult across industries, and lead workshops that make sustainability feel exciting, practical, and full of possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is the online version of Materials Literacy 101. Once you sign up all videos are available on demand for as long as you need.
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This is a pre-recorded video course for you to follow along at your own pace. Additional resources for further reading or learning are also included. Access any time.
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There is about an hour of video learning all together.
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This course helps you understand how materials move through their full lifecycle; from sourcing and use to recovery and reuse. You’ll learn how to make circular design decisions with clarity and confidence, gain practical insight into sustainable material choices, and develop a deeper connection to the resources you work with. By the end, you’ll have a confident, circular mindset you can apply to everyday design and making practice.
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General Access | £30
Student and Low Income | £20
Above and Beyond | £40
Low-Income and Student tickets are issued on a trust basis. Above and Beyond tickets help support the education of those on low incomes, studying, or transitioning careers by paying it forward.