‘Documentation-in-action’ in craft and design practice: Reflection on social organisation and prevailing tradition in the birdcage craft village in Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Previous research on collaboration activities between designers and craftsmen has been frequently carried out. Starting from its focus on developing craft products aligning with the market needs, efforts to investigate mutual learning processes between designers and crafts in their everyday life, to the investigation of the co-designing process in making craft products. However, previous research has merely focused on the micro-scale activities without attending to the sociocultural influences surrounding the craft and design practices. Therefore, in this paper, we delve into the collaborative activities of the crafters and a designer in one of the biggest birdcage-maker villages in West Java Province, Indonesia, and look at the social infrastructure that supports the daily activities of the birdcage crafters in influencing design directions. We also investigate how the traditions that exist in the everyday life of craftsmen can persistently challenge and impact the process of collaboration, design, and innovation produced by craftsmen and designers.