GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING AND ADDING VALUE TO IMITATION JEWELRY PRODUCTS THROUGH DESIGN REFLECTING THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF THE WUALAI COMMUNITY, CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research titled Guidelines for the Development and Value Enhancement of Imitation Jewelry Products through Design Based on the Cultural Identity of the Wua Lai Community, Chiang Mai Province aimed (1) to explore the cultural identity values of the Wua Lai community and (2) to design and develop imitation jewelry products that reflect such identity. The study employed a research and development (R&D) methodology using a qualitative approach. The participants included silverware producers from the Wua Lai community, together with academics and design experts, selected through purposive sampling. Research instruments consisted of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that the Wua Lai community possesses significant strengths in local wisdom and traditional silversmithing skills that have been inherited through generations. These cultural assets can be integrated with contemporary design concepts through participatory design processes, such as focus groups and brainstorming activities, enabling collaboration among producers, experts, and consumers. The study resulted in 30 design drafts and five imitation jewelry prototypes—ring, earrings, necklace, bracelet, and brooch—representing the fusion of Lanna cultural identity and modern aesthetics. The outcomes demonstrate that incorporating cultural identity into product design can enhance both the creative and economic value of imitation jewelry products, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of local cultural heritage.