Experimental 3D Digital Techniques in Design Practice

Experimentation is central to creative practice. Artists throughout the ages have explored, adopted and adapted the use of tools and techniques for creative means. The digital era has been no different; and as technology emerges, digital practice develops consequentially. Since the introduction of 3D computer graphics, practitioners have been creating virtual realms and digital objects in parallel. At the same time, advances in computer processing speeds, coupled with high-end technologies such as the availability of additive manufacture have allowed physical artefacts to be created on demand, leading to a proliferation of experimental practice. Whilst experimentation is the norm in art, commercial design tends to favour more established and formalised methodologies. For instance, software developers that aim to create dependency on their products adopt structured workflows that discourage practitioners from straying from the established path. In furthering the search for creativity, this paper argues that designers must look to the unorthodox experimentation of art and to harness the use of emerging technology. The paper reviews current literature and charts the rise of 3D digital design practice, with a central focus on work produced by means of additive manufacture. It examines several case studies on the use of experimental digital techniques in design practice before discussing the benefits and pitfalls of such an approach and speculates on future developments.