EXPLORING CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE INTEGRATION AND INNOVATION OF TRADITIONAL CRAFTS WITH CONTEMPORARY DESIGN.

Abstract

The integration of traditional crafts with contemporary design significantly enhances cultural sustainability and innovation. Notwithstanding increasing environmental apprehensions, ethical sourcing, and a need for unique, high-quality products, traditional craftsmanship has declined due to industrialisation and mass production, undermining cultural legacy. This study examines the authenticity of old artisanal methods and their potential adaptation to fulfil contemporary aesthetic, functional, and ecological requirements. Twenty individuals engaged in the pilot study, followed by the distribution of 1,550 questionnaires to achieve a final sample size of 1,337. Individuals ranging from artisans and designers to politicians and entrepreneurs contributed to the integration of traditional techniques into contemporary aesthetics. The gathered responses were evaluated utilising RAO software, facilitating statistical calculations and the derivation of valuable insights. The study highlights service design, digital fabrication, and eco-friendly production methods, all of which enhance the sustainability and enduring significance of traditional art forms. By integrating these characteristics, artists and designers can expand their market reach while remaining authentic to their cultural heritage. The lack of supportive governmental frameworks, artisan opposition to modernisation, and the decline of handcraft due to mass production are persistent challenges. The research offers practical ways for preserving artisanal heritage while integrating contemporary advancements, thereby enhancing the discourse on traditional sustainability. It promotes a compromise in which traditional crafts are preserved while being adapted to meet the evolving needs of contemporary society.