Characterizing Maker-Material Encounters in Collaborative Creative Making

The article aims to contribute to the understanding of relational dynamics of maker-material assemblages in collaborative making. In this study, we examine the encounters between makers and material entities in design problem solving scenarios. We specifically look at data from two collaborative making contexts: 1) a medical device innovation camp, 2) a maker activity-centered workshop, to characterize maker-material encounters and argue the emergent nature of creative making. Our analysis suggests that makers and materials engage in various forms of conversations where maker-material audits occur, maker-material synchrony shapes up, material configure collaboration, and materials exhibit epistemic characteristics.