Knowledge on manufacturing technologies (MT) is recognized by academics
as being an important element of product design curricula and practice.
Consequently many authors have proposed various approaches to teach
potentialities and constrains of MT. These approaches could be classified in
four typologies: the normative approach, the selective approach, the case
study approach and the multi-sensorial approach. However do young product
designers practice these approaches to learn MT? If not what kind of
methods and tools do they follow? A survey was carried out among 97 young
furniture designers in order to examine the relationship between young
designers and MT. The survey was conducted during the “Salone del Mobile
2012”, an international furniture trade fair held in Milano, Italy. Analysis of
the data explored methods and tools practiced by young product designers to
learn MT potentialities. Results reported that knowledge on MT is very
important for young furniture designers and nearly all indicated MT as a
potential source of inspiration for their professional practice. Additionally our
findings would seem to suggest that the most utilized and important tools for
studying MT are two: look at the made products and speaking with experts.
Internet and publications on MT are also quite practiced, but they are not
perceived as important as the others. In our opinion these findings would
seem to highlight the importance of direct experience for young product
designers in learning of MT. Despite our research is preliminary, we believe
that our conclusions could have an impact on future researches on tools and
techniques for teaching MT.
DesignED Asia 2012 Conference
