Theory-based crafts: Students’ views about meaning-making strategies

Practice-led research provides opportunities to look at craft practices differently and to articulate their epistemic potential. This study enhances theoretical learning by integrating creative craft techniques. An intervention course was offered during the first year of the craft teacher master’s degree programme at the University of Helsinki. One course task involved materializing theoretical mind maps, and the research focused on how students resolved this task. Data included 52 individual mind maps, materializations and reflections. The analysis revealed three main themes in meaning-making strategies of theory-based crafts: (1) creating symbolic artefacts, (2) personalization and (3) product development. The findings suggest that craft educators should seek a balance between academic thinking and practical training when addressing current topics such as tradition, sustainability and well-being.