Soft Systems Methodology Applied to Design Processes in an Artisan Enterprise

Given the tendency of design to intervene in marginalized artisan communities as a strategy to face the demand for their products, this research was focused on the difficulties that artisan enterprises face when moving from the family economic unit to a productive network structure with territorial span. For this reason, it was proposed to answer, how design processes should be integrated into indigenous contexts, in order to improve the systemic viability of these artisan enterprises. Together with the Viable Systems Model, the Soft Systems Methodology was chosen to intervene in a náhuatl artisan enterprise in Mexico. The results provide an environment-oriented design methodological model, to be implemented in small and medium- sized enterprises that wish to improve their ability to work as an integrated whole, and to adapt to the opportunities or threats of the environment. It is concluded that the systematization of the design practice contributes, not only to improving the artisan product, but also, to the strengthening of enterprises in indigenous contexts.