액티브시니어 제작 공예품의 디자인상품화를 위한 연구

This study attempted to find ways of enhancing the commercial value of handicrafts produced by senior citizens from a social design perspective and create high-income jobs for them. The aim of the study was to set the definition and scope of active senior citizens and the handicrafts produced by them, conduct a basic study of the relevant features, look for possibilities of commercialization by examining the status of senior citizens’ handicraftmaking activities, and establish an ‘integrated design process’. Thus, the status of senior citizens’ handicraft production was examined, interviews with experts were held, surveys concerning the relevant cases - domestic and international - were conducted, and a strategy was formulated for each stage of commercialization of senior citizen-produced handicrafts. This study proposes a strategy concerning the need to provide per-stage support aimed at resolving the problems associated with low design-related competitiveness and the fact that handicraft-production sessions are generally held only as one-off events, and the difficulties associated with the exploration of markets. In a pilot project carried out to verify the feasibility of the contents of the study, an integrated brand of handicrafts and package designs were established based on design workshops and interviews with senior citizens. This study also came up with a means of sharing digital data with the local community in in a bid to ensure that the newly developed designs will continue to be used. It is expected that this study will help create new types of jobs for senior citizens through the successful commercialization of well-designed handicrafts produced by them and the establishment of a system designed to help senior citizens achieve become self-reliant and independent.