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Local economic development through crafts: Co-designing new products in Vietnam

Outcomes

Before this project, it was often the case that local artisans produced oversized products, often with over-crafted elements which had very little function other than decoration. After the training programme and the hands-on mentoring, the craft producers were able to create a number of new products which used fewer raw materials and involved less labour in their production, while still retaining their cultural value and decorative attraction.

Key elements in the local cultural heritage of the crafts were selected and incorporated in contemporary designs, while still ensuring high product functionality, e.g. in products such as personal belongings, kitchen wares or garden ornaments. By June 2013, about 30 sets of new craft products, including pottery, woodwork and lanterns, were available for the market testing phase. 

About this case study
Main Contact

Rosario Laratta
Associate Professor
Meiji University, Japan
Email: rlaratta@meiji.ac.jp

Co-authors:

Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen
Lecturer and Officer, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Pham Thi Thanh Huong
Culture Programme Officer, UNESCO Hanoi Office

Rosario Laratta
wrote this case study for 
Governance International 
in November 2013.

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