Personal profile
Research Interests
Manu Thundathil is an industrial designer and academic specializing in the effective use of materials in product design. He leverages his professional background in polymer engineering and industrial design to create sustainable product solutions which connect with the aesthetic demands of consumers. His current research focuses on understanding material perception to develop novel and sustainable materials from biological or post-consumer waste streams, which could be adopted for mass-produced consumer products. He is also passionate about understanding the mechanism of creativity and advocates frugal design.
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
Masters, Industrial Design, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Bachelor, Polymer Engineering, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
PhD, Product Design, University of Canterbury
External positions
Teaching Fellow / Researcher, University of Canterbury
Dec 2023 → Feb 2025
Program Coordinator and Associate Faculty, Kerala State Institute of Design
Aug 2015 → Sep 2020
Assistant Project Director, Kerala State Institute of Design
Dec 2014 → Jul 2015
Principal Designer, Designscope
Nov 2014 → Sep 2010
Industrial Designer, General Electric
Aug 2010 → Jul 2007
Keywords
- TT Handicrafts Arts and crafts
- NX Arts in general
- TP Chemical technology
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Biofabricating Three-Dimensional Bacterial Cellulose Composites Using Waste-Derived Scaffolds
Kniep, J., Thundathil, M., Rezwan, K. & Nazmi, A. R., 6 Jun 2025, In: Applied Sciences. 15, 12, 6396.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Designing Sustainable Materials: The Role of Material Perception in Consumer Acceptance
Thundathil, M., Nazmi, A. R., Shahri, B., Emerson, N., Müssig, J. & Huber, T., 2 Apr 2025, In: New Design Ideas. 9, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Design With Sustainable Materials: Predicting Consumer Perception of Biobased Composites
Thundathil, M., Nazmi, A. R., Shahri, B., Emerson, N., Müssig, J. & Huber, T., 2025, In: New Design Ideas. 9, 3, p. 637-660 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Tactility in Perception of Biobased Composites
Thundathil, M., Nazmi, A. R., Shahri, B., Emerson, N., Müssig, J. & Huber, T., 16 May 2024, Proceedings of the Design Society. Cambridge University Press, Vol. 4. p. 1467-1476 10 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Designing with biobased composites: understanding digital material perception through semiotic attributes
Thundathil, M., Nazmi, A. R., Shahri, B., Emerson, N., Müssig, J. & Huber, T., 15 Mar 2023, In: Design Science. 9, 6, 30 p., e6.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Institute of Designers of Ireland (External organisation)
Thundathil, M. (Member)
Jul 2025 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of council
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COST Action (External organisation)
Thundathil, M. (Member)
2025 → 2027Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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COST Action (External organisation)
Thundathil, M. (Member)
2025 → 2029Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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COST Action (External organisation)
Thundathil, M. (Member)
2025 → 2029Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
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COST Action (External organisation)
Thundathil, M. (Member)
2025 → 2029Activity: Membership › Membership of committee