Dynamic affordances in human-material “dialogues”

Abstract

This chapter investigates craft practices through the lens of affordances, a central concept in both the field of cognitive psychology and that of design and craft. We illustrate how practitioners skilfully respond to what a material situation offers through an example of clay throwing. In such “material dialogues”, not only do craft practitioners dynamically respond to given affordances, but they also actively shape and cultivate them. They handle affordances while keeping in mind the overall integral craft logic and order of actions. An analysis of dynamic affordances can offer practitioners and researchers a means for theorizing craft practices from a perceptual perspective.