From making-based to innovation-based crafts: A comparative study on the UK and China

Abstract

This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of crafts by examining how they evolved from the past to the present. This is realised through a comparative study on the UK and China. It first determines how crafts are defined in both countries and then focuses on the transformation from making to innovation. A systematic literature review was utilised to illustrate the commonalities and differences between the UK and China. This study provides evidence of how the transition from making- to innovation-based crafts could be facilitated by government policies and programmes, by understanding consumption of crafts as well as by strategies fostering localisation and the creative industries.

Keywords:

• Crafts definition
• craft innovation
• making-based crafts
• cultural comparison

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge support from China Scholarship Council (CSC). We thank colleagues for their constructive feedback during the development of the article. The authors would also like to acknowledge and thank Royal Armouries, ‘Object Title: Helmet, Date of Work: 1571–1599, Photo’ https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-1785.html.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cees J. P. M. de Bont

Cees de Bont is the dean of the Loughborough School of Design and Creative Arts. Before that, Cees was the dean at the Delft University of Technology (2005–2011) and at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2012–2018). His academic interests are in design education, consumer behaviour, the adoption of innovations and responsible design.

Shiyao Ding

Shiyao Ding is an academic visitor at School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, prior to this she was lecturer of cultural and creative industries in School of Art and Design, Guangdong University of Technology. Her research interests cover craft and design education, cultural and creative products innovation and sustainability, intangible heritage cultural innovation in higher education.