The Changing Role of the Designer in a Dynamic, Digital Environment

Scott Summit has designed a wide variety of consumer products, with clients including Apple, Palm, Nike, Silicon Graphics. Recently, however, he has switched focus to researching applications where digital body scanning, parametric computer modeling and direct digital manufacturing intersect. The results include bespoke products specifically tailored to unique needs, digitally fabricated for the individual user. This approach to 'mass customization' offers a new hope for many people whose needs have been neglected by mass production. In this talk, Scott will be showing ideas where some of the new digital tools and methodologies impact the process and products that some new designers are creating.

Berkeley Center for New Media Commons is located at 340 Moffitt Library, near the Free Speech Cafe (map)