Integration of Concepts from Cultural Capital into Creative Products of Thonburi District Community

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1) to explore and analyze physical data, cultural capital, community culture, and community identity in Thonburi District and 2) to synthesize and create a representative of the identity of the community in Thonburi, connect design thinking with participatory action research, and create the research process model for product design by using the qualitative research process including focus group discussion and behavioral observation of a community in Thonburi District. The community can be divided into 7 sub-districts, totaling 42 communities. The samples selected were the population in Hiranruchi Sub-district, Thonburi District, totaling 9 communities and 30 people. The results show that the synthesized cultural capital identity data was retrieved for product development and a research model for product design of the identity pattern of Hiranruchi Sub-district community in Thonburi District. The product development included design thinking and participatory action research. Four prototyped patterns were selected and assessed by the community representatives. The patterns included a lion head, a headdress, Buddha, and a triangle. The patterns were developed further and printed on products such as shirts, YETI tumblers, scarves, and woven baskets— all of which became creative products which represent the identity of the community. Moreover, it was a chance for the community to learn together about product design based on a cultural capital basis in order to create products of the community. Apart from this, the community becomes a model and share their knowledge to other communities.