iCAT 2026 PLENARY SPEAKERS

Based on interviews with 13 professional designers utilizing Additive Manufacturing (AM) for end-use product development, this presentation investigates the impact of AM on product design practice, including processes, tools, outcomes, stakeholder relationships, and ethical considerations. Employing thematic analysis and a systematic, iterative methodology informed by constructivist Grounded Theory, the research identifies five principal themes: the integration of digital and analogue design methods, computational and algorithm-driven design, eclectic adoption of virtual design tools, the continued significance of analogue design, closer engagement with stakeholders, and heightened awareness of sustainability. The findings advance theoretical discussions on the evolution of product design by providing empirical evidence of how AM is transforming contemporary practice. Additionally, the study offers actionable insights for practitioners, educators, and organizations seeking to integrate AM into product development workflows and to define the competencies necessary to leverage AM technologies.

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