The Act of Mass Production in Kelantan Traditional Pottery, Malaysia

The study of pottery artefact as been helpful in developing theories on the cultural development of societies that produced or acquired them. The traditional pottery of Kelantan as been known for its utility functions. Hence, this paper seeks to illuminate on the traditional pottery of Kelantan state in Malaysia. The paper investigates and reviewed the history of Malay pottery down to Kelantan pottery, and also analysed the techniques and processes used for mass production in Kelantan traditional pottery production. This was achieved by first visiting four traditional pottery centers in Kelantan. The places visited include; Mambong Pottery in Kampung Ulu Sungai, Zutah Ceramic in Ceribong, Kesdec Ceramics in Pulai Chondong and Belipot Ceramics in Bunut Payong. The outcome of the visit revealed how Kelantan potters use plaster to create prototypes using turning wheel and thereafter use it to generate master mould and case mould for mass production. Keywords: Act, Mass production, Kelantan Traditional Potter

Intangible Cultural Heritage as Tourism Product: The Malaysia Experience.

Just as culture is dynamic, a sustainable approach of preserving intangible cultural heritage also goes beyond elevating it to a fixed position in history. It requires contact and cross-fertilisation with modernity to make the heritage values actualise themselves in the present and into the future. Hence, this paper explores a sustainable way of preserving intangible cultural heritage through commercialisation as a tourism product. The study used Malaysia as a case study by first highlighting the impact of tourism to the Malaysian economy and how cultural heritage is contributing to the advancement of the tourism industry in that country. Furthermore, the study identified four intangible cultural heritage items in Malaysia (Dikir Barat, Wau flying, Mak Yong Gasing) and from the viewpoint of the cultural evolution principle, this paper elaborates on how commoditising the cultural heritage into tourism products has been able to preserve them. The findings from the study suggest that intangible cultural heritage can only be sustainably preserved when it is economically viable to the owning community

Preserving Ceramic Heritage Values Through Sustainable Design

In recent time, the conservative approach of preserving ceramic heritage wares is facing complex problems. Due to its fragility, mechanical damage causes irreversible deterioration such as breaks, surface abrasion, cracks, and sometimes completes fragmentation of the body. Thus, sustainable approach is seen as a possible and potential alternative for preserving ceramic heritage values. Sustainable concept involves transforming heritage values into commodities that have significant contemporary values. Hence, this study seeks to explore the viability of sustainable development concept in preserving ceramic heritage values. Using Kelantan traditional ceramics as a case study, the paper identifies the unique heritage values (aesthetic qualities) that can be sustained as genius loci. This was achieved by analysing the decorative motifs on heritage wares using Golden section; after which the unique elements were integrated into contemporary ceramic products. The products were evaluation and the result shows that; applying this approach in ceramics will not only sustain the heritage values, but also enhance contemporary products

Cultural hybridity: an effective adoption of rapid product development to enhance indigenous craft designs

The evolution of rapid prototyping technology has provided extraordinary opportunities for new product development and manufacturing improvement. However, its applicability in arts and crafts has been questioned due to the growing concern for tradition and cultural authenticity. Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the area of intersection between rapid product development and artisanal skills. With a specific focus on ceramic craft, the paper investigates on how rapid prototyping technology can be effectively employed to enhance and sustain indigenous craft designs. Based on a broad literature review conducted and field observation, the paper proposed a cultural hybridity approach for effective adoption of rapid product development to sustain indigenous crafts without hampering the originality and cultural authenticity

Creative Design: Its Preferences and Evaluation

Design is concern with the ability of a man to mould his environment to suit his material and spiritual needs. However, design preferences and evaluation are valued based judgement which may be knowledge biased, intellectual biased, authority biased or democratic biased. Therefore, this paper seeks to investigate knowledge regarding creative design preferences and how it’s being evaluated. A study was also performed to compare the design preference by authority and design preference by public opinion. This was achieved by sampling public preference among the four logos examined by a university authority. The result from the study reveals the contradiction between authority preference and the public preference. Keywords: Design, Creative Design, Design Preference, Design process, Aesthetic

Application of Kelantan Traditional Aesthetic Values into the Architecture of Contemporary Homes

Every place has its own unique architectural qualities which are not only in terms of its physical makeup but, on how it is perceived. Hence, designers need to be sensitive to those unique qualities so they can enhance and sustain, rather than destroying them. However, to understand these unique qualities, one needs to approach it from the perspective of their aesthetic principles. This is because aesthetic is a critical reflection on art, culture and nature. But the question is; what are these aesthetic and architectural elements; are they still valid for present application? Therefore, to address these issues, this paper seeks to investigate and illuminate on Kelantan traditional aesthetic values. Ten aesthetic elements were identified, thus, the paper illustrates by examples how these elements can be integrated into the architecture of contemporary homes. Keywords: Architecture, Kelantan aesthetic values, Traditional Malay architecture

The effect of digital technology on graphic design ideation output

Digital technology has changed the face of design creativity. The traditional dependence on paper and pencil is gradually replaced with the digital approach, which uses digital technologies during the ideation stage. This study explores how digital technology influences the graphic design ideation process and outcomes. This study adopts qualitative methodology as it ontologically assumes a subjective stance and is epistemologically constructive in nature. The methods of data collection adopted are interviews and observation. The twenty-eight (28) participants of the study were made of twenty-four graphic design students and four lecturers from two universities in Ghana. It was discovered that participants used digital devices, design software, and the internet during design ideation. The study also revealed that digital technology aids designers in generating a variety of quality ideas which helps in achieving novelty in design. Vector software is crucial for digital concept illustration, but less than half of the participants use it. It was recommended that students should be exposed to vector software for design ideation as constant use of this software will help them develop the fluency required to create digital design ideation with ease