Digitally making as an opportunity for skilling and empowerment (original) (raw)

The current trend of digitally enabled self-production (i.e. digital DIY) is emblematic of the contemporary attitude to making and crafting. Although digital DIY has been seen as an opportunity for social and technological innovation, a major debate is taking place in research literature about its potential skilling or deskilling effect on practitioners. For instance, on the one hand, focusing on the digital representation undermines the ability to experience materials qualities and manufacturability. The ultimate effect is the development of a creative process, which is led by a virtual idea disconnected from the material world. On the other hand, the machine itself is a manifestation of knowledge, skills and labour involved in its design, manufacture and maintenance. The objective of this paper is to further unpack this debate and presenting our reflections from an ongoing research project on the potential of digital DIY as a skilling process through making collaboratively. We int...