TRANSFER OF DESIGN TECHNIQUES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPLEX NATURAL FORMS IN STEEL - A CASE STUDY

The introduction of an industrial design graduate into a steel fabrication company in the UK not only brought fresh ideas for new products but also new design methodologies. In particular the introduction of design visualisation CAD packages has allowed the company to develop new products in a way that standard 2D and 3D drafting software could not. This paper discusses how the use of surface-modelling CAD software, usually intended for film and graphical applications, was harnessed to provide an innovative and cost-effective way to visualise and develop steel tree-masts. The paper will also highlight how the successful integration of methodologies from a variety of design disciplines can raise awareness of the benefits of this approach.