This paper addresses the social component of craftsmanship in relation to service-design. Crafts depend on a social context to be preserved and to evolve. Therefore the relation between a master and his or her apprentice is an important one. Craftsmanship is taught hands-on by passing on knowledge, telling stories and demanding lots of practice while always focusing on a great level of detail and depth. In a way the transferal of crafting skills and knowledge can be considered a service. This service is co-created between master and apprentice. The interaction between apprentices is also part of the service creation, as they help and challenge each other and may compete or share in order to advance. These social aspects of learning craftsmanship will be discussed in the light of how they could benefit the design of Product Service Systems.
author: Michelle Baggerman
CRISP project: Smart Textile Services
prototype: The Social Fabric