Abstract
This designer-led, practice-based doctoral study proposes a novel roadmap for
developing context-appropriate small-scale manufacturing capabilities in South Africa
and for addressing critical barriers faced by informal and under-resourced
manufacturers. Its core contribution lies in demonstrating a replicable approach to lowcost
technology development, exemplified by the iterative design and fabrication of
two locally manufacturable machines: a rotational casting machine and a pressure
forming machine. These developed solutions offer accessible pathways to enhance
production capacity and boost productivity within the local informal manufacturing
sector, utilising readily available resources.
The research employs a designer-led action research methodology, where strategic
engagement within industrial design teaching environments fundamentally informed
the iterative cycles of making, testing, reflecting, and redesign. Through the
approaches of Studio-based learning (SBL) and experiential learning, the students'
direct interaction with the prototypes provided essential, real-world insights that were
integral to the development of the machines. This dynamic integration not only enabled
rigorous prototype evaluation but also established a unique feedback loop that
crucially shaped the research trajectory and the design outcomes.
This study contributes new knowledge to the field of industrial design by presenting
both tangible, context-appropriate manufacturing technologies and a robust, validated
methodology for their development within resource-constrained environments. It
establishes the industrial designer's critical role in fostering localised economic growth
and offers a practical model for generating innovative, accessible solutions that have
potential to impact small-scale manufacturing industries. The study, therefore,
provides a robust framework and tangible examples for driving innovation in smallscale
manufacturing within comparable global contexts.