Hello friends Summarized! This time, we will discuss crafts as part of the creative industry. What is craft? What is the creative industry? And what is the relationship between the two? Come on, see the following reviews.
Crafts are an important part of the creative industry
Definition of Crafts and Creative Industries
Crafts are human works made using hands or simple tools, usually from natural or recycled materials, which have aesthetic, functional and economic values. Examples of crafts are woven, batik, carving, ceramics, jewelry, and others.
Creative industries are economic sectors that produce goods or services based on the creativity, skills and talents of individuals or groups, which have the potential to create wealth and jobs through the exploitation of intellectual assets. Examples of creative industries are architecture, design, film, music, games and of course crafts.
The relationship between crafts and the creative industries is that crafts are a sub-sector of the creative industries which has a major contribution to the national economy. According to data from the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf), in 2019, the handicrafts sub-sector contributed 13.7% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the total creative industry of 7.44%. The craft sub-sector also absorbs a workforce of 15 million people or 28% of the total creative industry workforce of 53 million people.
Benefits and Challenges of Handicraft as Part of the Creative Industry
Crafts as part of the creative industry have many benefits, including:
- Increasing the income and welfare of the community, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in the craft sector.
- Preserving national culture and identity, because craft is a form of artistic and cultural expression that reflects local wisdom and the richness of ethnic diversity in Indonesia.
- Encourage innovation and creativity, because crafts require a manufacturing process that involves new ideas, unique techniques and quality materials.
- Attracting tourists and increasing exports, because handicrafts are one of the cultural tourism attractions that can add added value to tourism and increase the country’s foreign exchange.
However, crafts as part of the creative industry also face several challenges, including:
- Intense market competition, both at home and abroad, because many similar products are offered at lower prices or with better quality.
- Lack of capital assistance, equipment, raw materials, marketing, and education from the government and the private sector to develop handicraft businesses.
- Lack of copyright and trademark protection for handicraft products that have their own characteristics and uniqueness.
- Lack of public awareness to appreciate and consume quality local craft products.
Tips on Making Crafts as Part of the Creative Industry
For those of you who are interested in making crafts as part of the creative industry, here are some tips you can try:
- Determine the type of craft product you want to make. Adjust to your interests, talents, abilities and resources. Don’t forget to do market research to find out the needs and tastes of consumers.
- Make handicraft products that have added value, both in terms of design, function, quality, and price. Give a creative and innovative touch that makes your product different from the others. Maintain your product quality standards to remain consistent and satisfy consumers.
- Promote your craft products through various media, both online and offline. Take advantage of social media, websites, blogs, marketplaces, and others to reach a wider audience. Participate in exhibitions, festivals, bazaars and other events related to the creative industry to introduce your product to the public.
- Build a network of cooperation with various parties, both fellow craftsmen, the government, the private sector, the community, and the media. This way, you can find help, support, information, inspiration, and opportunities to help you grow your craft business.
Conclusion
Crafts are an important part of the creative industry which has many benefits for the nation’s economy, culture and innovation. However, the craft also faces several challenges that must be overcome in appropriate ways. For those of you who want to make crafts as part of the creative industry, there are a number of tips that you can apply to create quality craft products that are in demand by consumers.
Thus this article about crafts as part of the creative industry. Hopefully useful and add to your insight. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments regarding this article, please write them in the comments column below. Thank you for reading this article to the end. See you in the next article!
