CREATIVITY, 3D PRINTING AND DESIGN EDUCATION
Year: 2016
Editor: Erik Bohemia, Ahmed Kovacevic, Lyndon Buck, Christian Tollestrup, Kaare Eriksen, Nis Ovesen
Author: Lindley, Julian
Series: E&PDE
Institution: University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Section: Programmes
Page(s): 656-661
ISBN: 978-1-904670-62-9
Abstract
The core of this paper outlines and reflects on a project set as a challenge to final year Product Design
Students. The project is used as one approach to explore the possibilities of new manufacturing
technologies within an under-graduate curriculum. The paper explores how these technologies can be
introduced creatively as well as formally. Within this the current purpose of product design is touched
upon. Its starting point is observations of how the landscape for manufacture is changing due to scale
and cost of new technologies to the point that citizen designers can manufacture at home. The
question of ‘What is the mandate and role of the modern professional designer?’ is explored.
Universities are training the next generation and it is important that they address these issues both
from an understanding of the technology but also the new creative possibilities through practical
projects. The introduction places design in the context of manufacture from a traditional perspective
allowing new technologies to be considered as both evolving and divergent to this knowledge. The
project, ‘designing a three dimensional business card utilising new 3D Printing technologies’ allows
students to explore the possibilities of these machines with a physical outcome while also considering
how business cards can be used to attract attention and therefore promote themselves as creative
designers.
Keywords: Creativity, Additive Manufacture, design education.