Abstract

New product development has traditionally been aligned with the manufacturing sector and established global supply chains. However new production technologies and global connectivity are transforming the product design industry, and industrial designers are now empowered to be entrepreneurial and independent. Emerging technologies, especially additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing), have the potential to dramatically redefine product manufacturing and create new design possibilities. This �new industrial revolution� is enhanced by social media platforms, allowing designers to design, produce and distribute products whilst operating autonomously from the established manufacturing, sales and supply networks. The profession of Industrial Design is on the verge of a �renaissance� as designers and consumers are empowered by these new technologies; which enhance creativity and innovation, facilitate new product development practices and enable design entrepreneurship and encourage a participatory culture. Educators must respond to this paradigm shift and ensure that industrial design graduates are appropriately prepared to exploit the potential of these emerging technologies and respond to new product design practices. This paper examines technological and cultural impacts on industrial design practice and describes a teaching initiative that explores the combined potential of social media and additive manufacturing and encourages new product design and implementation strategies.