D i g i t a l
( r o u g h - h e w n )
F a b r i c a t i o n
E x p e r i m e n t
In recent decades, computer-aided design and digital fabrication have become increasingly important in the field of production. This shift in tools has had a significant impact on the process of human production. Digital crafting has emerged from the desire to continue producing craft items, but now with the aid of technology.
However, friction is clearly present in crafting in the digital age. Digital crafting allows crafts to be produced with more precision and efficiency, and digital crafting as a process exists outside the realm of typical production. But with these benefits, this functionality, and the added potential, the resulting craft items have become ‘smart’ objects. For crafting to survive, it must take advantage of available technologies. However, debates are emerging about whether premium features and high standard is the quality of true crafts or soulless robotic goods.
This project aimed to investigate the value of the process of crafting, and how this value can be preserved when using digital tools to ensure continued respect of crafting in the digital age.
Since appreciating imperfection from the process is an important drive for craft production as a beautiful rough-hewn aesthetic, this exploration and examination of the ideas of imperfection was conducted in a 3d clay printing process. The attention had shifted from focusing on the materialized work which resembles its digital master, to the awareness that the process of turning data to be physical form is never seamless. Therefore, the variation is a common fact that always happens during the process. By using the variation as a potential design drive, this study has shown the way to transform inaccuracy to beauty.
