Making Matters: Samples and Documentation in Digital Craftsmanship

Digital fabrication machines enable the creation of a wide range of artifacts and materials. In the process of exploring the possibilities within these digital modes of creation, many samples are made. To encourage cross-pollination between different practices and strive for a community that shares more information, this research investigates the state of the art of sample making and documentation practices in the context of Digital Craftsmanship. Through in-depth interviews with designers with a focus on digital craftsmanship, in this paper we unpack some of the practices and challenges in material driven processes related to how to design, evaluate, document and archive material samples. We reflect on making practices, what forms of knowledge are produced through making and how the use of samples in different design processes can be supported through documentation.