Overview

In 2014, the Chief Technology Officer of Jabil, a leading contract manufacturing company, engaged Radius to envision future scenarios for 3D printing. This project had a five-year horizon and encompassed various aspects of 3D printing systems, usage environments, ecosystems, and materials. The primary exploration question was, “How might 3D printing become an integral part of our lives by 2020?”

I led the project, overseeing both the futures research process and the planning and facilitation of collaborative ideation sessions

Approach

This project employed a futures research and ideation process to uncover emerging trends in 3D printing and related technologies. It focused on three perspectives: consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, and manufacturing. Through collaborative ideation activities and workshops involving Jabil project stakeholders and Radius Industrial designers, these trends and perspectives were explored. The outcome of this effort consists of a series of vignettes that depict potential future experiences and business models enabled by the wider adoption of 3D printing. These concepts are visualized through storyboard-style sketches

Outcomes

The final report contains 9 different storyboarded use cases and 3 plausible scenarios for 3D printing in the year 2020. This content was leveraged by the Chief Technology Officer's innovation team as the foundation for thought leadership, new business development, and strategic sales initiatives.

Credits

Client: Jabil Role: Project Lead Year: 2014