The research in the design of interactive devices is related to a wide range of engineering activities which embrace realistic prototyping both through immersive environments like Virtual Reality, and also through physical prototypes developed with technologies such as 3D printing. Our aim is therefore to explore design methodologies which shift from traditional design approaches which focus on the design of artefacts, towards designing interventions and experiences, with the purpose of affecting behaviour. Thus, the field of interactive design covers a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary research.
The first workshop on Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM): Future Interactive Devices (DEFINED) is thus being organised and planned to be held at the Palace Hotel, High street, Sliema, between 17 and 18 March, 2022. In this workshop we aim to discuss how Additive Manufacturing can be exploited to develop custom, future interactive devices used in a range of sectors, such as rehabilitation. The goal of the workshop is to explore the mindset of adopting an interactive product design approach in Additive Manufacturing together with the exploration of integrating sensing, display, and illumination elements to be directly embedded in the architecture or mechanical structure of these interactive products. Using these elements, unique product architecture, novel user-interaction techniques, bespoke and modular industrial designs, and embedded optoelectronic components can be digitally fabricated for rapid, high fidelity, highly customised interactive devices. This workshop is part of our long-term vision for interactive devices that are 3D printed in their entirety.
This workshop is hosted by the University of Malta and is organised as part of the PRIME-VR2 project aimed at developing innovative 3D-printed VR-based bespoke controllers and the supporting IT platform for rehabilitation purposes. The workshop is supported by MakerFaire Malta, the Design Society, the Institution of Engineering Designers (UK) and the Design for Additive Manufacturing Network (UK).
There are a number of keynote invited speakers and a special session during which participants can disseminate their research interests and network to potentially form consortia for Horizon Europe proposals. Furthermore, participants can showcase any working prototypes in a ‘marketplace’ session. The registration for this workshop is free of charge. We are hoping to safely welcome you to Valletta, Malta in March of next year. We will keep you posted on the mode of attendance in the coming months. Currently we are planning to adopt a hybrid mode.
