The designer-makers craft: ecologically principled practice

Abstract

The ‘return of the maker’ conference theme suggests that artists, craftspeople as well as designers are
re-considering their approach to their practice. Reflective practice is cyclical and by its reciprocal motion is used
to inform and direct creative exploration. Mc Niff describes this process as a reflection-in-action spiral (McNiff
1988:44). This paper presents case study analysis of the various ways that textile practitioners use the process
of reflection-in-action to influence and shape their creative practice. This practice is outlined as a craft model and
gives case study examples of how this is being adopted to extend and shape ecologically principled creative
practice.

This paper reports on findings of a wider study to explore the use of a craft model of practice to investigate the
potential of newly emergent fibres. Case study evidence used to explore that a craft model of practice consists of
different types of one-step practical actions innovative ways designer-makers mitigate negative impacts within
their practice.

The research study considered that achieving principled practice could place constraints on design and making
but what emerged indicates that this is not the case. Designer-makers can take key role in having a positive
impact on industry (Pittman and Townsend 2010) by taking a holistic approach to every part of their practice,
they enable a reduction in the environmental impact beyond material and process selection. “As designers we
need to work out how to satisfy our wants and needs without trashing the environment. We need to consume
less; buy better quality and then work out how to deal with economic consequences” McQuillan.

This paper details the different methods and approaches developed by designer-makers to shape their practice
and address issues from within their ecological principled practice, and in simultaneously maintain control over
production with a positive impact on principled practice. Findings drawn from open discussion interviews with
textile designer-makers indicate how to overcome design constraints. Designer-maker’s responses were
analysed to establish common patterns of behaviour, perspectives and how the use of creativity at every stage of
design and production meets identified needs.

Change to conventional design and production techniques might at first appear to impose constraint, but in these
instances examples of how a one-step process in design and making becomes playful way of realising further
potential. By fusing together the initial design with the production process in a simultaneous action gives rise to
further creative impetus.

The cases featured in this study reveal different strategies in use and demonstrate how adopting a holistic
perspective enables access to those strategies. A range of creative practical design options that enable control
during production are presented. This exemplifies newly acquired skills that extend knowledge of control. This
paper evidences craft models of practice, developed by designer-makers and makes positive changes to the way
we make products.

Adopting a craft model of practice may be beneficial for use in wider contexts aspects could be developed for
use in industrial practice. This paper establishes that premise and demonstrates craft models of practice that use
iterative and incremental designer-maker practice that can deliver an enhanced, innovative, ecological and
sustainably principled practice.