Flexibility through Design

BACKGROUND Designing for flexibility in the digital arena is a complex and skilled task that requires high levels of tacit knowledge in algorithmic scripting and computer aided design (CAD). The "Flexibility through Design" project implements use of tactile electronic hardware interfaced to commercial computer software to allow novice designers with no knowledge of design or CAD systems to redesign and additively manufacture (3d print) a product range to their needs. CONTRIBUTION This design device addresses and simplifies the knowledge required to design and modify existing and complex algorithmic scripts through tactile hardware. The algorithmic scripts allow designers to integrate topological adjustments to existing designs where novice users can reinterpret the designs through the tactile hardware. This novel approach allows novice users the opportunity to modify a pre existing design to appropriately address their criteria. SIGNIFICANCE Current design and manufacturing paradigms are fixed in their approach, designs are created and subsequent products mass manufactured. Our novel approach through tangible design flexibility challenges these past paradigms through application of Additive Manufacturing where a new design is manufactured according to the novice users input. This approach allows for unique designs to be tailored to a users specific needs where traditional design and manufacturing can not adapt to this continual level of adaption. The exhibition was reported in Sydney Morning Herald (Cussins, KA. July 2015) and