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Synergy of Crafts and Design

Course developer

Prior knowledge

MākZ3027, Fundamentals of Design and Product Registration

Course abstract

The study course introduces the types of crafts, promotes the development of students' creative abilities in the creation of new products or the realization of ideas. Creates an understanding of the current situation in the craft market and of the craftsman as a master, from whom you can take knowledge or involve him in your creative activity, thus strengthening ties and supporting the local community, as well as the opportunities for the realization of craft products in Latvia and beyond. The course creates an understanding of and cooperation with the various institutions related to craft and creative industries.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course, students will have
knowledge: about types of handicrafts and forms of organization, about different organizations and ways of cooperation with them (control paper), opportunities for the realization of handicraft products in Latvia and outside of Latvia (plan for the distribution of your product);
skills: research the craft market in Latvia and beyond and be able to offer an innovative craft product in it or realize a new idea, cooperate with craftsmen (research work, following a craftsman);
competence: choose the most suitable form of craft organization for your type of activity, find your place in the craft market (creation and presentation of a product prototype).

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time studies.
1. History of crafts. Craft support institutions. 2h lectures
2. Crafts in Latvia. Types of craft activities and forms of organization. 2h lectures, 3h practical work (research work)
3. Research of craft market in Latvia. Tendences. 1 h lecture, 1 h seminar, 1 h practical work (following a craftsman)
4.Opportunities and ways to collaborate between craftsman and designer. Crafts and design, the common and the different. 1h lekcija, 2 h seminar, 2 h practical work
5. Craft product, its positioning. Design product, its positioning. 2 h lecture,
6. Innovative products, idea generation. 4 h practical work (idea for your product)
7. Packaging and its meaning, 2 h lecture, 2 h practical work
8. Product market segmentation - generational segmentation. 2 h lecture, 1 h practical work (creating a buyer profile)
9. Competition in the craft/design market. Product pricing for handicrafts. 1 h lecture, 2 h practical work (pricing your product, identifying competitors)
10. Brand – 1h lecture, 1h practical work (creating a brand profile)
11. Possibilities of selling craft/design products in Latvia and abroad. 1 h lecture, 1 h seminar
12. Possibilities of selling craft/design products in Latvia and abroad in the internet environment - 1 h lecture, 1 seminar
13. Presentation about the craftsman, followed by. 3 h of practical work
14. Presentation of the craft product prototype and implementation plan - 4 h practical work

Part time studies,
All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

Requirements:
1. Attended at least 75% of all lessons.
2. Independent work developed, presented and successfully assessed

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Research work - identification of craft institutions and craftsmen near students’ place of residence, research of their activities
Following the craftsman - the student chooses a craftsman, whose activities are followed throughout the course, suggests solutions for improving performance. Presents results. Prototype of product - the student, getting acquainted with the current trends in the craft market, creates an idea for his product (or the product craftsman followed), which is developed during the course (based on design thinking principles), creating a potential buyer profile, brand, sales channels, pricing, etc.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The exam is cumulative, the assessment is made up of the fulfillment of all requirements and the average value of all obtained assessments.
Meeting deadlines and attendance may affect the final grade in the course.

Compulsory reading

1. Auziņš A. (2006). Amatu noslēpumi. Rīga: Antēra, 165 lpp.
2. Amatniecības un mākslas centri (2010). Jelgava : Zemgales plānošanas reģions, 28 lpp.
3. Bušmane E. (2019) Dizaina domāšanas instrumentu komplekts. Izdevniecība: Design Elevator
4. Hammonds Dž. (2008) Tava biznesa zīmols. Rīga, SIA Lietišķas informācijas dienests, 239 lpp.
5. Brenegena A. (2019) Uzņēmējdarbības rokasgrāmata māksliniekiem un dizaineriem. Rīga, Jumava, 351 lpp

Further reading

1. Latvijas Amatniecības kamera. [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts 09.12.2023.]. Pieejams: http://www.lak.lv/pub/
2. 2. Likums par amatniecību. [tiešsaiste]. Pieņemts: 02.02.1993. Stājas spēkā: 11.03.1993.. [skatīts 09.12.2023..]. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/63052-par-amatniecibu
3. Radošā amatniecība. Pieredze. Izaicinājumi (2014). Jelgava: Zemgales plānošanas reģions, 57 lpp.
4. Etsy news. Pieejams: https://blog.etsy.com/news/category/trends/
5. Etsy school. Pieejams: https://etsy-school.tumblr.com/
6. Seller Handbook. Pieejams: https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dizains ved mūs pretī labākai dzīvei [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts 09.12.2023.] pieejams: https://lvportals.lv/viedokli/199197-dizains-ved-mus-preti-labakai-dzivei-2009
2. Nīmanis M. Amatniecības Renesanse Latvijā. [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts 09.12.2023.] pieejams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFb_Oh747wQ
3. Amatnieku portreti Tukuma un Engures novados (2020) [tiešsaiste]. [skatīts 09.12.2023.] pieejams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBfDEoDRDiU

Periodicals and other sources

Synergy of Crafts and Design

Notes

The course is included in the compulsory part of the TF professional higher education bachelor study program "Design and Crafts" in full-time and part-time studies