Exploring creativity management of design for additive manufacturing

Abstract

While many argue that Additive Manufacturing (AM) opens up new possibilities in design due to its higher degree of design freedom, it is also suggested that it can increase creativity in product design. It has been further proposed that creative outcomes are limited by the imagination of the designer: designers are often asked to take full advantage of the new design potentials given by AM, yet without having the supports that are needed to increase their creativity. Current literature focuses neither on supporting creative perspectives in Design for AM (DfAM) nor on how to manage the higher degree of design freedom that can be present. As a consequence of this noticeable gap in the literature, this paper continue to explore what areas that need to be considered in creativity management, to fully support designers in utilising their creative abilities in relation to AM in design. The paper proceeds through a literature study on creativity in DfAM and presents a case study with experienced designers who are just starting to work with AM in their design practices. This paper contributes to the field with the notion of a creativity layer laid upon DfAM, visualized by three characteristics of creativity (expertise, creative thinking skills and motivation) drawn from previous research. This results in three concrete propositions of areas that need to be considered in future research on how to include a creativity management perspective in DfAM.

Stress concentrations and design for additive manufacturing: a design artefact approach to investigation

“…The AM of components by space industry companies has allowed for rapid cost-competitive innovation in an industry where product development cycles can be slow and low-weight part designs are beneficial (Sacco and Moon, 2019). AM production can hasten product development; however, the pace can be hindered by a designer's lack of DfAM understanding (Lindwall, 2023). Designers need to decide early in the product development process if AM is feasible for their product idea.…”

A creation in abstract 3D art insprired from Pavo muticus imperator

“…Then forward those concepts and ideas to the recipient to understand and perceive, which comes out as a work of art, which may require the use of different tools, materials or media according to their interests and aptitudes of artists to convey and communicate whether it is art, painting, sculpture, building, color, product or even other appliances. Nine characteristics of creativity have been identified in current reviews of design creativity: expertise, motivation, goal orientation, values, creative thinking skills, flexibility, design thinking, individual traits and thinking styles [10]. Physical-level inspiration requires viewers to analyze the physical aspects of artworks and to reflect on the physical aspects of their own art making.…”