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Exploring AI as a Creative Collaborator : Designing Playfulness Through Lighting

Nidadhalu Ramesh, Abishek LU (2026) IDEM05 20261
Industrial Design
Abstract
This thesis investigates how Artificial Intelligence can collaborate across the entire product development process, using the case of playfulness through lighting as the design context. The project follows the development of a playful table lamp from early research to the final product, comparing traditional methods with AI-assisted approaches to understand where AI adds value and where human expertise remains essential.

AI proved especially effective during the research phase, helping synthesise literature, analyse interviews and connect theoretical frameworks on play. In ideation, AI worked best when guided - expanding ideas, analysing concepts and producing rapid visual variations. During development, prototyping and refinement,... (More)
This thesis investigates how Artificial Intelligence can collaborate across the entire product development process, using the case of playfulness through lighting as the design context. The project follows the development of a playful table lamp from early research to the final product, comparing traditional methods with AI-assisted approaches to understand where AI adds value and where human expertise remains essential.

AI proved especially effective during the research phase, helping synthesise literature, analyse interviews and connect theoretical frameworks on play. In ideation, AI worked best when guided - expanding ideas, analysing concepts and producing rapid visual variations. During development, prototyping and refinement, tools such as Adam supported quick form exploration, while traditional CAD, material tests and hands-on making were crucial for accuracy and real-world feasibility.

The final lamp embodies playfulness through interaction and movement, but more importantly, the research shows that AI is most powerful when treated as a collaborator rather than a replacement. AI accelerates exploration, enhances efficiency and broadens perspective, while the designer contributes intuition, spatial sensitivity and material understanding. Together, they form a hybrid workflow that offers a promising direction for future design practice. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nidadhalu Ramesh, Abishek LU
supervisor
organization
course
IDEM05 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
AI, Design, Industrial Design, Collaboration, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, CAD, Prototype, Ideation, Product Development, Product Design, Google, Artificial Intelligence, Lighting, Play, Playfulness, Lighting Design, Table Lamp, Lamp, Circularity, Sustainability, Generative AI
language
English
id
9223028
date added to LUP
2026-02-20 10:20:07
date last changed
2026-02-20 10:20:07
@misc{9223028,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates how Artificial Intelligence can collaborate across the entire product development process, using the case of playfulness through lighting as the design context. The project follows the development of a playful table lamp from early research to the final product, comparing traditional methods with AI-assisted approaches to understand where AI adds value and where human expertise remains essential.

AI proved especially effective during the research phase, helping synthesise literature, analyse interviews and connect theoretical frameworks on play. In ideation, AI worked best when guided - expanding ideas, analysing concepts and producing rapid visual variations. During development, prototyping and refinement, tools such as Adam supported quick form exploration, while traditional CAD, material tests and hands-on making were crucial for accuracy and real-world feasibility.

The final lamp embodies playfulness through interaction and movement, but more importantly, the research shows that AI is most powerful when treated as a collaborator rather than a replacement. AI accelerates exploration, enhances efficiency and broadens perspective, while the designer contributes intuition, spatial sensitivity and material understanding. Together, they form a hybrid workflow that offers a promising direction for future design practice.}},
  author       = {{Nidadhalu Ramesh, Abishek}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Exploring AI as a Creative Collaborator : Designing Playfulness Through Lighting}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}