Industrial Design

Researchers in industrial design investigate experiences and products that affect human and environmental wellbeing.

Close up of bright green organic shape against black background

'Hydrophytes', digitally generated 4D aquatic 'plants' created by Nicole Hone in the MADE research group

Industrial design responds to human experience, behaviour, needs, and desires by creatively engaging with mass and batch production processes and materials. This field is being driven increasingly by digital technologies

Researchers in this area investigate experiences and products that affect human and environmental wellbeing. We create original, useful, and meaningful products, such as furniture made from recycled plastics and medical prosthetics tailored to fit individual people.

The Industrial Design Research Group works collaboratively with a variety of interdisciplinary academics and professionals with strong connections to industry partners and research organisations. Current research interests include innovative applications of additive manufacturing (AM), such as Computer Generated Objects (CGO), 4D printing for synthetic biology and a circular economy, and emerging digital platforms of making.

Research topics

Research topic	Staff who can supervise research in this area
3D fabrication	Anne Niemetz, Leon Gurevitch
3D fabrication and Māori narratives	David Hakaraia
3D fabrication for fashion and textile applications	Edgar Rodriguez
4D printing for a circular economy	Simon Fraser, Tim Miller, Jeongbin Ok, Ross Stevens,
4D-printed synthetic biology	Tim Miller, Ross Stevens, Bernard Guy
Computer-generated objects (CGO)	Tim Miller, Jeongbin Ok, Ross Stevens, Leon Gurevitch, Zach Challies
Emerging digital platforms of making	Simon Fraser, Jeongbin Ok, Bernard Guy, Edgar Rodriguez, Zach Challies

Academic staff

Name	Research interests
Zach Challies	Computer Vision and 3d Imaging for production and design Computer Vision and 3d Imaging for Heritage studies Procedural and generative 3d systems for voxel-based Additive Manufacturing Procedural systems and AI for concept development and iteration
Simon Fraser	4D printing for distributed upcycling, bio-based polymers, large-scale spatial and adaptive structures 3D printing for co-design, open-source products and new models of manufacturing
Leon Gurevitch	Designing and fabricating physical objects using traditional and digital techniques; narrative and physical objects Procedural and generative modelling for voxels, 4D-printed sensors and meta-materials
Bernard Guy	Multi-property dynamic voxel printing for soft robotics, medical applications, and special effects 3D printing for co-design, open-source products, and new models of manufacturing
David Hakaraia	Māori narratives using digital fabrication—3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters
Tim Miller	Multi-property dynamic voxel printing for soft robotics, medical applications, and special effects 4D Printing for distributed upcycling, bio-based polymers, large scale, spatial and adaptive structures Procedural and generative modelling for voxels, 4D printed sensors and meta-materials
Anne Niemetz	Designing and fabricating physical objects using traditional and digital techniques; narrative and physical objects
Jeongbin Ok	4D printing for distributed upcycling, bio-based polymers, large-scale spatial and adaptive structures Procedural and generative modelling for voxels, 4D-printed sensors and meta-materials 3D printing for co-design, open source products, and new models of manufacturing
Edgar Rodriguez	Textile design and soft material manufacturing using digital fabrication—robotics, 3D printing and knitting, CNC weaving, laser cutting 3D printing for co-design, open source products, and new models of manufacturing
Ross Stevens	4D printing for distributed upcycling, bio-based polymers, large-scale spatial and adaptive structures Procedural and generative modelling for voxels, 4D-printed sensors, and meta-materials Multi-property dynamic voxel printing for soft robotics, medical applications, and special effects

Design Research Labs

MADE

MADE (Multi-property Additive-manufacturing Design Experiments) focuses on innovative design applications of 3D printing and additive manufacturing materials, technologies, and processes. It aspires to establish globally recognised design research expertise in the currently undersubscribed niche of multi-material printing.

For more, see MADE.

Study options

The following postgraduate programmes allow you to pursue research in the area of industrial design:

Master of Design (MDes)

The MDes allows you to further develop your critical thinking and discussion skills, increase your understanding of design, and learn to express your own ideas and conclusions within a theoretical framework.

Find out more about the Master of Design (MDes).

Master of Design Innovation (MDI)

The MDI delves deep into the process of innovation, from conception to design to construction. Through independent research, you'll gain the specialist skills and knowledge you need to be a successful professional in the design industry.

Find out more about the Master of Design Innovation (MDI).

PhD

On our PhD programme, you'll produce an original body of research that expands the design discipline. Your work will be largely independently driven, with two supervisors available to advise you. Typically the PhD is studied on-site, but in suitable cases it may be studied by distance.

Find out more about the PhD.