craftingbased

craftingbased is a term used to describe a design and production approach that centers on hands-on crafting techniques as the primary means of creating artifacts, products, or systems. The term emphasizes the integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern fabrication methods, such as 3D printing, laser cutting, or CNC milling, to enable customized or limited-run objects.

Origin and usage: In contemporary design and maker discourse, craftingbased describes projects that foreground craftsmanship in both process and outcome. It is commonly encountered in community workshops, design studios, and art practices that value material literacy, tactile feedback, and durable construction.

Characteristics: Core features include direct manipulation of materials, iterative prototyping, and a workflow that combines manual making with digital tools. Objects produced tend to emphasize finish, texture, repairability, and user customization, with attention to lifecycle and sustainability.

Applications: Craftingbased approaches appear in education programs teaching prototyping and craft skills, in small-batch product development, in DIY and maker communities, and in artistic installations and architectural projects that seek a human-centered, material-driven process.

Critique: Proponents argue it yields meaningful user experiences and skills transfer, while critics raise concerns about scalability, reproducibility, and time-to-market, especially for mass production contexts.

See also: maker movement, DIY culture, craftivism, human-centered design, prototyping.