Craftsuch

Craftsuch is a term used in maker cultures to describe a philosophy and practice that blends traditional craftsmanship with open, collaborative design. The concept centers on making high-quality objects through iterative, community-informed processes, with a focus on accessibility and reproducibility. In some usages, craftsuch also denotes a design approach that emphasizes modular components, open-source patterns, and documentation that allows others to reproduce or adapt projects.

Etymology for craftsuch is unclear. It emerged in online maker communities in the early 2020s as a neologism blending craft with a suffix intended to signal inclusivity. No formal authority defines its scope, and usage varies across communities, regions, and projects.

Practices associated with craftsuch typically include thorough documentation (plans, bills of materials, tolerances), sharing files and instructions under permissive licenses, and prototyping with widely available tools (3D printers, laser cutters, hand tools). Community elements such as workshops, design critiques, and collaborative challenges are common. Projects often emphasize sustainability, repairability, and skill transfer to new makers.

Applications span areas like furniture and joinery, textiles, jewelry, and small-scale manufacturing, especially where open designs and kit-based production enable broader participation. Open patterns, modular kits, and standardized interfaces are recurring motifs in craftsuch practice.

Reception of craftsuch aligns with broader open-design and maker-movement trends. Proponents view it as democratizing access to skilled craftsmanship and knowledge, while critics warn against over-hyping terms or diluting traditional craft identities.

See also: Open design, DIY, Maker movement, Open-source hardware, Craftivism.