Creativity in engineering is a dynamic and multidimensional activity shaped by tools, structures, and objectives that influence problem-solving and innovation. This paper employs Activity Theory (AT) as a theoretical lens to explore creativity as an activity, analysing insights from 130 master's level mechanical engineering students who identified and mapped self-selected examples of creative engineering solutions. AT, a framework for understanding human activity as a system of interrelated components—subject, tools, rules, community, division of labour, and object— provides a structured means to examine the contextual factors shaping creative engineering practices. Findings from the mapping process reveal that creative engineering solutions are characterized by efficiency and sustainability as key objectives, supported by multidisciplinarity and the strategic leveraging of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and additive manufacturing. The analysis highlights how students perceive the diverse tools (technology-focused, such as AI and additive manufacturing), rules (innovation-focused, enabling efficiency and sustainability), and object characteristics (design-focused) of creative engineering examples. This study contributes to the first step in mapping engineering creativity by defining the activity system students perceive. These results underscore the importance of curricular approaches that promote originality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the effective integration of advanced technologies in creative problem-solving.

Peer reviewed