The use of additive manufacturing technology has grown significantly in recent years, creating new challenges for product designers. Complex designs are rarely fully described in traditional drawings or design specifications. This research aimed to address this gap by developing specifications based on the mechanical characterization of fused deposition modeling objects, focusing on their anisotropic behavior as influenced by cell structures. We used experimental design, analytical research using finite element methods, statistical analysis, and simplified numerical models to investigate the relationship between mechanical characteristics and manufacturing factors. The main effects of building attributes were examined in addition to formulating failure mechanisms and generalized elasticity. The findings allowed the creation of a simplified model to describe mechanical behavior by demonstrating the relationship between infill methods and mechanical strength.

In recent times, to cater to a larger audience, mass production has become more common, with investment casting being one of the fastest-growing manufacturing techniques. However, even with this modernization, production still requires significant manual labor, such as mold assembly, heating, gas removal, cutting, and polishing. This process also consumes a lot of energy and generates waste. Rapid prototyping and computer-aided design technologies have revolutionized jewelry manufacturing, enabling greater agility, reduced production time, and product customization, while also offering designers more creative freedom. This study aims to present shell fusion technology (SFT), an advanced digital manufacturing technology, as a way of processing jewelry and other precious metals for various applications. Practical processing tests were carried out using SFT. Metallic materials with high and low melting points were employed, enabling the investigation of processing characteristics (temperature, heating rate, and melting time), final quality (flaws, roughness, etc.), finishing requirements, and other factors. The feasibility of making jewelry and metal parts using SFT was investigated and validated. This work demonstrates that SFT can be used to make jewelry and process noble metals for other purposes. A piece of jewelry was produced with a quality classified as satisfactory for use as an ornament.

The design domain has long been recognized as a source of value creation, with a recent paradigm shift in both academic and practitioner circles conceptualizing design as a comprehensive innovation management practice. Design thinking (DT) has gained prominence for fostering engagement and confidence in creative processes. However, outcomes can be influenced by various factors and conditions, making direct attribution to DT challenging. While organizational maturity can impact DT implementation, this relationship is complex and warrants further investigation. More in-depth research and appropriate methodologies are needed to assist organizations in establishing the legitimacy of DT, acknowledging that legitimacy often derives from the perceived quality of work outcomes, which is inherently subjective. Therefore, it is essential to develop more objective criteria and evaluation methods to provide a clearer and more reliable basis for assessing the success and impact of DT initiatives. This paper addresses the need for legitimacy in adopting DT as an innovation strategy, with a focus on both individual and social structural perspectives. Drawing on organizational workplace theories and employee perceptions, we developed and tested hypotheses to overcome barriers to the adoption of DT. Although based on a small sample size, our study offers valuable insights into the factors influencing DT adoption within organizations. Using a quasi-experimental approach, we examined how organizational practices, leadership, and physical spaces affect the legitimacy and widespread adoption of DT. By assessing both qualitative and quantitative indicators, we combined participant feedback with observable behaviors for a more comprehensive evaluation. Recognizing the subjectivity of legitimacy measurement, we enhanced our approach by integrating multiple data sources. This study lays the groundwork for future research, refining legitimacy assessments and investigating the long-term impact of DT adoption. We hope our findings inspire further exploration of additional variables that influence the success of DT across diverse organizational contexts.

Technology has impacted various sectors, and the field of art and design has witnessed notable changes due to these developments. In today’s world, digital art illustration has emerged as a prominent and popular form of artistic expression, revolutionizing graphic design, and visual communication, particularly with the rise of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). This study seeks to explore the development of digital art illustration in Zimbabwe through the lens of the technology acceptance framework. The study focused on artists, lecturers, and students familiar with both traditional art and new technologies. Data were collected through two focus group discussions with students from two higher education institutions. In addition, five lecturers and five practicing artists were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, based on their experience in digital art and their background in traditional art. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that digital art has not yet been fully integrated into the art and design curriculum. The study also highlights the critical role of early art and design education in fostering student interest in digital art illustration. Furthermore, digital art illustration can be viewed as an extension of traditional art; therefore, artists should find ways to embrace both forms to their advantage. This integration can be promoted through blended exhibitions, with support from established galleries. For the design field, the study emphasizes the impact of AI and suggests how various stakeholders can incorporate it into their practices to enhance success. The study concludes that investment in technological infrastructure by the government can help promote digital art illustration as a burgeoning sector, creating new job opportunities for the younger, technology-savvy generation.

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological innovations, such as electrification, autonomous driving systems, digitalization, and the shift toward mobility services. This transformation is further intensified by new competition from the IT sector, industrial policy objectives, particularly from China, and the increasing automation and connectivity of manufacturing processes. In addition, environmental regulations, evolving consumer preferences, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future. This study aims to identify and analyze the key technological drivers contributing to the transformation of the automotive sector. Using a systematic literature review based on the approach outlined by vom Brocke et al., a structured and reproducible analysis of the relevant literature is conducted. The findings indicate that technological drivers, such as connectivity, autonomous driving, electrification, and digitalization are crucial to this transformation. Furthermore, supporting technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and big data analytics are critical enablers of this transformation. A deep understanding of these drivers is essential for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to anticipate future developments, address emerging challenges and develop effective strategies for sustainable and competitive mobility solutions. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on transformation and its implications for the future of the automotive industry.

Material selection is one of the most critical steps in constructing a building that is safe, economical, esthetically pleasing, durable, and functional, and ensuring building sustainability has become an indispensable task nowadays. Multiple options are available for people interested in owning their own residential property: (1) Purchasing finished houses; (2) building their own houses, which entails selection and purchase of building materials; and (3) purchasing unfinished houses and carrying out large-scale renovations. In this study, a survey with 141 participants was conducted to identify the extent of importance our respondents attach to 11 material selection criteria and seven sustainability criteria for building material selection. The survey data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analyses, which revealed no significant difference in the participants’ opinions according to their demographic characteristics. Thus, the results were generalized by determining the relative importance of the criteria. Durability and availability of materials and availability of skilled labor force were identified as the most important material selection criteria. Durability, ease of maintenance, and energy efficiency were determined as the most important sustainability criteria. Although cost is viewed as one of the obstacles to sustainable building construction, more than half of the participants stated that they could bear an additional cost ranging from 5% to 15% for sustainable materials. By comprehensively depicting the perspective of non-professionals, the results of this study provide a crucial reference for the stakeholders of the construction industry.

Building code knowledge is essential for designers, but it can be challenging to learn and master. While automated code compliance tools assist in navigating these complexities, they are typically used later in the design process. This study introduces the Building Code Calculator App as an early-stage design tool. Grounded in cognitive load theory, the app simplifies information to simplify the learning process. It also incorporates concept mapping, a visual tool that aids in knowledge construction. This research aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Building Code Calculator App as a tool for design education. The app offers a visual guide to building codes and includes calculation features with explanations. It was hypothesized that the app would improve designers’ knowledge and skills while reducing their stress levels as they work on building code tasks. The study also predicts that the app will be adopted by designers in the future. A survey was conducted with senior interior design students after they completed a building code task using traditional methods and then used the app. All of the survey participants indicated the usefulness of the Building Code Calculator App in assisting the application of building code’s content and expressed disposition to use the app in the future. Results also confirmed that using the app lowered the participants’ stress levels, demonstrating its value as a design tool. In conclusion, these results advocate for a more comprehensive approach to building code education that leverages technology to provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities.

Design occupies a space between theory and practice, strategy and tactics, discipline and craft. Its approach is now applied across a wide range of formulas and contexts. To maintain its ability to engage with reality, design must adopt an interpretation that manages increasingly complex models, while suggesting future educational frameworks. The objective of design is to practically intervene to modify reality, which makes its disciplinary dimensions somewhat ambiguous: It is rich in tools but lacks the foundational axioms of a discipline. A transdisciplinary perspective can be valuable in developing a reliable model and an affordable methodology. However, this perspective must be built on areas of knowledge in which the practical activity complements the theoretical evidence; that is, fields where the engagement with the public (both collectively and individually) is strong. Therefore, a stimulus can come from personal care practices such as medicine, psychology, or pedagogy. In these areas, recurring patterns (or, better, Gestalt) can help shape an anthropological dimension, one that reflects the contextual and functional nature of design.

This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical history taking (anamnesis) and assesses its acceptance using technology acceptance models. Through nine expert interviews with physicians from diverse medical backgrounds, the study aims to understand concerns and anticipated benefits of AI in the doctor-patient relationship. To demonstrate AI’s applications, digital anamnesis surveys were conducted with two actual patients, and the resulting data were interpreted by AI and reviewed by physicians. Findings indicate that physicians view AI as potentially beneficial, expecting that AI can facilitate improvements in care quality, efficiency, and time savings. Despite initial concerns about AI’s ability to address individual patient needs and its impact on the doctor-patient relationship, there is significant interest in integrating AI tools into daily practice. Key issues include patient constitution, the effort-to-benefit ratio, and potential risks to patient trust. The study identifies six areas for further research: Economic impact and cost-benefit analysis, patient acceptance and trust, stress reduction and job satisfaction, effects on doctor-patient relationships, development of verification mechanisms, and ethical and legal considerations. These findings underscore the complexities of AI integration in health care, emphasizing the need to address concerns about patient individuality, data privacy, and interpersonal relationships while harnessing AI’s potential.