Sustainable Design of Crafts: Empowering Rural Craft-Preneurs through Optimization of Natural Resources of Pandans in Indonesia

Abstract

Many research have examined craft and design research on global issues, environments and life cycles. However, studies that focus on the creative industry of natural craft products is somewhat rare. Recently, this has become a priority research area for economic transformation of Indonesia, interested in promoting a green economy based on ‘Pandanus tectorius’; a natural leafy plant that produces pandans used to produce craft-based products. Observations show that this craft is in need for more public and local government attention to harness the full potentials of the Pandanus tectorius copious. It is argued that if the natural potential of the surrounding environment is adequately managed, then, it could create economic opportunities that encourage high demand for long-term improvements in the economies of the communities. This paper examines this issue to determine the value, function, and benefits of products using pandan leaves from an aesthetic, design, economic, environmental and socio-cultural perspectives. It employs Participation Action Research (PAR) methodology engaging design thinking in its implementation. The Creative Preneurship Kriya Pandan (CP-KP) theoretical framework is used to achieve the objectives. CP-KP is concerned with the potential integration of natural resources and human resources of regional artisans, as well as the creative response of the communities to produce eco-sensitive designs. The findings reveal that (1) design development is based on aesthetic and usability requirements; (2) the economic benefits of pandanus products are diverse and valuable; (3) increased sales of pandanus products can reduce plastic waste; and (4) there are sociocultural benefits of people becoming proud to be artisans and pandanus cultivators because they raise environmental awareness and gain economic benefits.