Social participatory teaching and learning – lessons from a partnership of industrial designers and local artisans

Abstract

Regional industrial design education aims to reinvent itself and adapt to local realities, such as the demands of industry and society, while providing object-oriented solutions. Artisan craftsmanship is one particular social demand. The present study therefore aims to better understand the role of industrial design in the production of artisan crafts. The User-Centred Design Workshop (UCD) for third-year industrial design students at the Universidad del Bío-Bío in Concepción, Chile established a collaborative alliance between the “Fundación Trabajo para un Hermano” (TPH) Concepción1 (“Foundation Working in Fraternity, Concepción”), the Universidad del Bío-Bío and artisans affiliated with the group “Comercio Justo Manos” (“Fair Trade Hands”). Together participants worked to identify opportunities and potential setbacks related to the micro-production of artisan crafts, from creation to exhibition of jewellery, wooden handicrafts, woven goods, felted products and handmade soap. Solutions proposed by student designers primarily supported artisan production. Participant perceptions were evaluated both during and upon completion of the workshop and covered a range of aspects such as project skills and collaborative work, among others. The collaborative project was well received among students and particularly artisans. Despite differences of opinion, both groups agreed on a number of aspects and positively evaluated the overall methodological focus and results of the project.