VIRTUAL: Prague Heritages

Abstract

The practice of modern methods of design and manufacturing is an ongoing evolution, from the custom hands-on work of master craftsmen during the guild era, to the large-scale, standardized production factories post-Industrial Revolution, as well as contemporary developments in the Digital Age. Throughout these transitions, the participation and perception of the physical body in the manufacturing process have deteriorated. The loss of active hand feel and close relationship between the designer and materials has resulted in an overall degradation in the perceived quality of work. The vision of this research is to reaffirm the craftsman spirit through the merging of digital technology and hand craftsmanship by re-engage with embodied participation and material consciousness via “digital-crafting”. This research provides analysis of two custom designed experimental projects, combining digital design tools and traditional crafts. Specifically, augmented reality (AR) technology was utilized to provide work instruction during the processing of organic material on a conventional woodturning lathe. Findings from this research suggest that it is difficult for AR tools to effectively assist in woodturning lathe work processes while maintaining enough physical or mental connection to substantiate embodied participation. Nevertheless, AR visualization techniques may be more suitable for application to alternative manufacturing strategies, such as additive manufacturing or cutting. Although the results of these experiments fell short of their original intent, the process revealed new opportunities in digital craftsmanship, suggesting that the practice of digital-crafting will surely bring about a new culture of innovation and skill creation in the design profession.