About
UAL Library Services offers reference access to 2 Materials Library Collections. The collections are part of the many resources for students and staff. These can be accessed within UAL libraries.
The collections are educational spaces for hands on learning. The collections contain extraordinary materials from a range of industries.
For example, plant-based materials and objects, like fruit leathers and mycelium plant pots can be found in the collections. We also have a range of papers, surface materials, fabrics and textiles for all design needs.
Visiting
The collections are in Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion libraries. Collections are for all UAL students and staff. They are open for browsing when the libraries are open.
Alumni and External visitors can visit the collections via the library bookings systems.
See below for location and contact details.
Collections
Each material or sample has labels to showcase the manufacturer or designer information. This promotes further research and potential collaboration.
The collections can be used for:
- Interaction: Browse the collections with the senses to discover a range of materials. Alongside their potential for projects.
- Inspiration: Explore materials across a range of industries. With the view of cross disciplinary research and collaboration.
- Information: Learn about the stories behind a material. Explore who created the material and where this took place. Understand the methods behind making a material. This explores critical research and responsible sourcing decisions.
- Innovation: Find leading innovations in materials, systems, and processes. Learn about current materials research projects.
These values were identified by a cross-course cross-cultural team of MA students on the LCF MA Collaborative Challenge, Materials Collection brief for the move to Eastbank 2022 – 2023.
Central Saint Martins
N1C 4AA
Contact:
London College of Fashion
E20 2AR
Contact:
Stories
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Display of the physical artefacts students made as part of their response to the Collaborative Challenge brief. Image courtesy of Una Lote Andzane.
Reimagining the Materials Library: Storytelling Through Textiles
Students used autoethnographic research to reflect on their cultural heritage and explored their identities through hands-on workshops, research visits, and dialogues with guest contributors.
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Indigo dyed fabrics and pigments. Photograph by Laura L. Maceiro
Materials Collection display on natural dyes at London College of Fashion library
Laura L. Maceiro and Billie Coxhead share a current display on natural dyes at London College of Fashion Library
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MA Collaborative Challenge of the collection at JPS.
Discover the new and improved LCF Materials Collection at East Bank
The LCF library is home to the new Materials Collection, where students can interact with and learn about a range of material samples to inform their studies.
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LCF Materials Collection Draping Station. Photography by Ana Blumenkron.
Top tips for using the LCF Materials Collection with Billie Coxhead
Billie Coxhead, Materials and Products Coordinator at LCF and CSM, chats to LCF Stories about how the collection can support students and their work.
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Burberry 2024 campaign: a model standing in woodland surroundings, wearing a brown trench coat, black boots and holding a red bag. Photography by Tyrone Lebon.
Burberry partners with CSF for Reimagining Materials Competition - Applications now open!
Calling all LCF students - engage in a real industry brief and benefit from the guidance of Burberry experts, and the chance to win a cash prize and Burberry internship.
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Acoustic Pulp Panels, Baux
Material matters
What does a sustainable material revolution look like? Billie Coxhead, Co-ordinator of the Materials and Products Collection, talks through some recent acquisitions from algae blooms and bacteria to abattoir waste.