Generative Product Design Futures

Abstract

Product Design has a digital future, but the changes in thinking and practice required of discipline leaders involve a paradigm shift, rather than an evolution. Rather than challenging existing cultures and conventional mass manufacturing expertise to create incremental change, it will be necessary to propose new digital product design themes that align with computer-based disciplines. This article highlights the development of generative product design over the last decade, enabled by advances in additive manufacturing (3D printing) moving it from a rapid prototyping technology into a viable production process for end-use manufacturing. Illustrated through generative product design practices developed by a UK computational product design studio, this article explains how generative design has the potential to enable more fluid product outcomes and interactions. The approaches discussed provide insight into the possibilities for future product design practices and changed disciplinary boundaries, predicated on digital discipline collaborations and innovative ways of working.

Keywords:

• 3D printing
• additive manufacturing
• algorithm
• digital
• customization

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 FutureFactories Studio: Computational product design studio www.futurefactories.com.

2 Nervous System: Generative design studio working at the intersection of science, art and technology: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lionel Dean

Dr Lionel Dean is Reader in Digital Arts at De Montfort University, UK and Creative Director of FutureFactories Studio, a design practice focused exclusively on 3D printing and computational design. Dean’s designs challenge manufacturing conventions, exhibiting innovative structural formations. FutureFactories has both an academic and public profile, yielding iconic gallery pieces and designs for well-known manufacturers. The significance of the work is illustrated by acquisitions by MoMA, The Museum for Modern Art in New York and DHUB, Design Museum Barcelona. In 2008, the MoMA piece was in a ‘Highlights Collection’ of the Museum’s 250 most significant acquisitions since 1980.

Jennifer Loy

Dr Jennifer Loy is Professor of Additive Manufacturing in the School of Engineering, Deakin University, Australia, specializing in Design for Additive Manufacturing. Previously she was Professor of Product Design, University of Technology Sydney, as well as a research theme leader for Transformative Technologies across Design, Architecture and Building. Before then Loy was Professor of Industrial Design at Griffith University, Queensland where she was Deputy Director of the Griffith Creative Arts Research Centre. Loy’s research focusses on the disruptive impacts of 3D printing and its associated digital technologies on design, practice and systems. Her work spans clinical and industrial product, through to creative product, workforce development and supply chain organization.