Learning from Artisan Communities

As a designer I enjoy using my skills to enhance the expression of tradition and unique cultural identity of different cultures. I'm fascinated to see how in our global world the emergence of local aesthetics becomes stronger and how designers become a vehicle that supports cultural sustainability.

I see Folk Art as the fusion of traditional arts and crafts that typically embody communal values, beliefs, and customs passed down through generations. This is a field that has always attracted my interest, taking pleasure in employing my design abilities to learn from these traditional expressions and the distinct cultural identities they embody. I find intriguing to witness the rise of local aesthetics in our interconnected global landscape, where designers are playing a pivotal role in nurturing cultural endurance.

Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning

I worked for the Government of the state of Guanajuato Mexico 1998-99 as a design/production advisor to support 4 crafts (wo)men communities to support their production processes. During this experience I realized that what I had committed to wasn’t be a ‘design advisor’ but to collaborate with a group of talented artisans who have been marginalized for so many years. I learned that I should approach this project in humbleness. The most important achievement was the detection of the problems that artisans had and what type of support they needed to continue producing their products and make a dignified living from their work. This would motivate newer generations to wanting to preserve the artisans’ knowledge and skills. That they could see a sustainable future for themselves and their families.

Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning

Basket weaving and mortar making (Traditional Molcajetes)

Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning
Social Design, Craftsmanship, Mexico, artisan communities, design that matters, education, learning

Weaving blankets and upcycling textiles as dolls

From 1999 to 2001, I served as the in-house designer at Guajuye S.A de C.V., a family-run enterprise specializing in recycling glass into traditional Mexican blown glass products. Beyond creating new designs for clients, I took on the critical task of documenting the production processes, ensuring that the invaluable knowledge of the glass blowers was preserved and accessible. Though I cherished this role, my next adventure awaited in The Netherlands.

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Promoting Latin American Design