ClayScape: A GenAI-Supported Workflow for Designing Chinese Style Ceramics with Clay 3D Printing

2026-04-28

AI Summary

This work proposes ClayScape, a novel human-AI collaborative workflow that integrates generative artificial intelligence with clay-based 3D printing to democratize ceramic design. While digital fabrication has increased accessibility in ceramics, conventional CAD/CAM tools remain technically prohibitive for many creators. ClayScape addresses this barrier by enabling intuitive, low-threshold creation of ceramic artifacts imbued with Chinese cultural motifs. Evaluated through co-creation sessions with four ceramic artists, the system significantly lowers technical entry barriers and expands creative exploration. The study further reveals critical tensions between user control and AI autonomy in collaborative making, offering a new paradigm for integrating cultural heritage with digital creativity.

Abstract

Chinese ceramic-making involves complex and interdependent steps, making it technically demanding. Digital fabrication methods attempt to make the process more accessible, but for craft-creators, technical challenges such as CAD and CAM skills remain major obstacles. To address this, we designed a hybrid workflow that integrates Generative AI with clay 3D printing to support new creative possibilities. We evaluated the workflow through ClayScape, a design tool that operationalizes this approach, with four ceramic creators. Our findings show that the workflow supports accessible ceramic creation while revealing both expanded opportunities for creative exploration and challenges in balancing agency and control. This work demonstrates how hybrid workflows can lower barriers to digital fabrication while supporting creative possibilities in culturally grounded ceramic practices.

Problem

• Chinese ceramics
• digital fabrication
• technical barriers
• craft creation
• clay 3D printing

Innovation

• Generative AI
• clay 3D printing
• hybrid workflow
• digital fabrication
• Chinese ceramics