Knowledge sharing between designers and craftspeople in Turkey: Development of a platform

In this study an online learning resource was developed to support new and contemporary production of craftspeople both to expand craft for daily use and to enlarge their marketing opportunities. The study started with the aim of creating a bridge between formal design knowledge and craft knowledge. First, two learning modules were developed based on desk research, field visits and interviews with master craftsmen. These modules were proposed as learning material rather than educational instructions. Hence, craftspeople can use the resource for motivation to think out of traditional boundaries. While preparing the learning resource a cyclical procedure was followed. The researchers first visited a goldsmith (sadekar) and a leatherwork master (saraç) to get an understanding about the resources they use to make new products. Following this, initial content of modules were discussed. A paper prototype was designed with the developed content. Feedback for the prototype was collected from the masters. Based on the feedback from masters and desk research the content was revised. Two more modules were added and proposed product examples were revised and redesigned. The final design was uploaded to www.yenizanaat.net [www.newcraft.net]. To test the resource, a jet stone (oltu) master used the website to experiment with jet stone. The products he made were evaluated both by the researchers and an external examiner to gain an understanding of the content’s effect. Significant experimentation and differentiation was seen in the final work of the master.