Implementing a design thinking approach to de-risk the digitalisation of manufacturing SMEs

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has proposed a significant shift in the way companies approach manufacturing. However, this new paradigm is not without faults. The integration of processes and equipment (‘digitalisation’) can be prohibitively expensive or too technically complex for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources and technical expertise. Another barrier to digitalisation lies in the ambiguity of not knowing what precise practices to adopt to improve productivity. Although these challenges have been identified in the literature, there is still little evidence on how to tackle them. Thus, we explore how design thinking can help overcome these challenges, given that it has been used in many organisations and disciplines to deal with complex and ambiguous problems. We do so by investigating the research question ‘How can designers and design thinking processes assist manufacturing SMEs’ digitalisation?’ We address this research question by presenting a case study of a university–industry collaboration where the authors utilised a design-thinking process to select and implement technologies to capture, process and analyse data for an Australian medical device manufacturer. By reflecting on the case study, we identified the user-centeredness of design thinking as crucial in selecting technologies for implementation that prioritised usability and brought value to all stakeholders. Furthermore, iterative prototyping was critical to scale up the required expertise and deliver a successful sustainable solution without investing vast resources. Our work suggests that designers and design thinking have the potential to help de-risk digitalisation. Finally, we suggest a framework that may assist in guiding other SMEs approaching digitalisation and provide a starting point for further design thinking research in this area

Radio interview with Dr Gianni Renda

Discussion on the use of 3D printers

Stadtgeschichte - Melbourne

Abstract not available

Design for social inclusion: a study investigating the emotional effects of adaptive cutlery

The research explores how users of disabled cutlery are perceived by others. Existing literature suggests the aesthetics of existing disabled cutlery marginalises female users more than men, potentially leading to social isolation. Testing was undertaken and the subsequent analysis of data demonstrated a gender effect. This research contributes to the knowledge on this subject and empowers product designers and manufacturers to tailor their products to cater for this user group

Design for disability: Industrial design-led interventions for assistive cutlery

This research details the potential for design-led interventions in regards to assistive cutlery within a hospitality environment. Design for disability, especially in terms of cutlery, has remained aesthetically stagnant within the area of hospitality. Products currently exist for use in the home environment, however due to a lack of concentration on the aesthetic resolution, they remain under-utilized. The importance of industrial design as a discipline to influence change in current product development activities for this industry is highlighted, and shows that the physical manifestation of a product is a result of a professionally trained industrial designer who increasingly utilizes inclusive design principles to develop appealing assistive products

Food, disability and design

This paper aims to inform the reader of the design-related challenges faced with feeding oneself with a disability. This seemingly normal task is something that is taken for granted; from a small age, we are taught to hold and use forks and knives correctly, etiquette on serving and presenting food and on maintaining a convivial and friendly atmosphere. Unfortunately, due to the effects of aging or acquired disabilities, the dignity of this simple task can be compromised. Literature suggests that mealtimes for people with a disability can cause emotional stress due to the reduction of independence, self-consciousness of their appearance, and fatigue (Backman et al., 2008) (Coleman et al., 1993 and 2006). These factors may lead to social isolation and a reduction in the pleasure of partaking in a meal in a social context. While products exist that fill the physical need for gripping and balancing, the design of these implements leave little to be desired. An investigation into the design of exemplary adaptive products, such as the ‘Smoking Glass’ by Joe Colombo and the vegetable peeler from OXO have promoted inclusion, ease of use for sufferers of arthritis and have opened up a new market segment of inclusive kitchen technologies that bring the sufferer back into the kitchen. The discipline of industrial (product) design is explored, and its pertinence to the research and development of new adaptive aids is demonstrated. Strategies for the future are proposed utilising emerging industrial design techniques and food design trends, such as molecular gastronomy are hypothesised as future areas of research and development for inclusive food design. This paper forms part of a doctoral research project from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. It will discuss the sensitivities of a person with a disability when confronted with designed products used during a mealtime, and will suggest potential strategies to help alleviate the emotional stressors

The craftsman versus the maker: tensions in design education

The new found availability and cost of 3D printing, using such machines as the Makerbot Replicator or 3D Systems' Cube has led to significant advances in student output in terms of quality and form. However, there is an increasing risk of students utilising these machines to prototype and provide outputs to match the capabilities of the machines, as opposed to an traditional craft-based prototyping exploration. Tensions between the traditional and modern methods exist, however it is at the nexus of the two where significant innovation can occur. This paper will demonstrate how a combination of craft-based and advanced manufacturing processes can be beneficial for the student in their understanding of industrial design processes, subsequently resulting in higher-quality outcomes

Low-cost 3D-printable prosthetic foot

Home 3D printing technology is rapidly evolving from a means of creating low-fidelity trinkets, to becoming a robust and viable method of batch production. This paper explores the potential that this technology has on the manufacture of prosthetic feet for children from developing countries-specifically referring to the variance in sizes as the child grows. An exploration of the design process undertaken in an industrial design honours year demonstrates how a low-cost (approx. AUD$15.00 at wholesale material prices), 3D-printed prosthetic foot has a comparable, if not better, performance level than a SACH foot - the type of foot typically donated to provide aid to those from developing countries who would otherwise be unserved. Prototyping was undertaken using a hobby-level printer (the Makerbot Replicator 2) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament. This method of prototyping allowed the designer to undertake rapid iterations of the prototype to undergo basic testing using autoethnographic methods. The prosthesis' ability to be modified and produced on-site, on-demand could potentially redefine the opportunities available to prosthetists for accommodating varying gait patterns when providing low-cost aid to developing countries

A pilot study used to better construct a research direction to understand where industrial design fits within the 4th industrial revolution (Industry 4.0)

The industrial design profession is engaging with a new manufacturing revolution — Industry 4.0 (I4.0). This new paradigm presents new opportunities and challenges for industrial designers. However, it is still unclear what knowledge industrial designers can contribute to manufacturers in an emerging I4.0 context. This pilot study serves to determine the current state of practice of industrial design, and to discover areas of improvement as well as strengths to build on. Most importantly, this study functions as the first step to better qualify questions for a subsequent online questionnaire survey, in conjunction with findings from literature. A focus group was conducted with an even ratio of males to females (n=6) of industrial design professionals, and identified current and future problems and opportunities for industrial design practice and its preparedness for I4.0. This study was intentionally kept concise to ensure all participants in the focus group contributed to the discussion and to minimise echolalia. This was important to give everyone a ‘voice’ to develop an appropriate framework to help substantiate a series of questions for a much larger study. The findings suggest poor communication between industrial design and industry, as well as confusion around what I4.0 entails and how industrial design can contribute to this new manufacturing revolution

The Priority Given to Sustainability by Industrial Designers within an Industry 4.0 Paradigm

Industrial design is intrinsically linked to manufacturing; however, what is required of industrial design to adapt to new changes brought on by Industry 4.0 in manufacturing is unknown. Current literature gives little insight into how industrial designers need to evolve to the current developments in manufacturing to remain value drivers in an Industry 4.0 paradigm. There is minimal research describing the link between industrial design, Industry 4.0 and the effect this will have on sustainability. We conducted an extensive survey of 190 respondents from 53 countries to establish the present state of industrial design practice globally and to better understand the priority sustainability is given by practicing industrial designers. Qualitative data showed a desire for improved sustainable processes; however, quantitative data contradicted this, showing “sustainability” as one of the lowest ranked areas of importance in design practice for industrial designers. While sustainability—especially in manufacturing—demands more prominent change as industrial design adapts to an Industry 4.0 manufacturing paradigm, it seems that junior industrial designers do not currently see this as a priority