CROSS CULTURAL CO-DESIGNING FOR INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE (TEXTILE) DESIGN SOLUTIONS – QUESTIONING SDG 4 & 17

Abstract

The main goal of the paper is to discuss cultural appropriation in order to ultimately work together to create a more sustainable future and to encourage the application of seven (7) different instruments in educational settings. This paper showcases design methods for co-designing and cross-cultural design processes, to educate students and industry partners about respecting design codes and ownership. A case study on textile design – pertaining to design, production and living conditions – is presented in Europe as well as North Africa, to illustrate the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’ as well as SDG 4 ‘Education and Quality’. SDG 12 ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ is supported by our research into cultural appropriation in the design business. ‘Cultural appropriation’ is not only a debate taking place in fashion design, regarding designers profiting while using patterns that are ethnologically significant to indigenous people without asking permission. Engaging in cultural appropriation with a positive intent can serve as a means of remembrance and ‘revaluation’ of hand-crafted techniques, which run the risk of being lost. This knowledge is evidence of our cultural remembrance and our knowledge archive for the future: it informs us on how we might restore, teach and convey this valuable knowledge within the curricula – providing a collaborative sustainable design education.