Design Futures for Traditional Craft: A Collaborative and International Approach

The potential of traditional craftsmanship to become part of contemporary design, not merely as a source of inspiration, but as a driver to address the issues of sustainability and ethical integrity of the production system in a innovative way, is leading to a growing interest in its production and consumption models at different geographies. Indeed, it is only by making the value components of traditional craft supply chains that it will be possible to ensure the repositioning of these great socio-technical-cultural heritages on alternative forms of value system, feeding new flows of experience. These new value systems, guided by design, make it possible to explore new directions for the protection, revitalisation and repositioning of traditional craftsmanship. The paper will present the results of FRONTIER, an international collaborative project, among Universities in Italy, Colombia and Brasil, that encourages the recovery and promotion of ancient textile-related crafts of their territories, through different drivers: creative processes supported by encounters with designers and artists, technological integration, the renewal of processes, ranging from digital fabrication to the virtual production of models also thanks to the introduction/replacement of biomaterials. The international research group, adopting responsible advanced design approach, created responsible innovation pathways, able to involve the academic communities, craft enterprises and their related territories, in the research for a link between innovation, design and traditional craft. The results are a combination of new emerging cuttingedge technologies, platforms and development of methodologies, curricula, entrepreneurial skills and vocational training courses, creation of sustainable relationships and networks with sectors and different stakeholders to promote innovation, employment and sustainable growth.