THE CONVERSATION
Why this session?
Craft is a field of invention as well as inheritance. The session asks how makers can lead product design and earn from their knowledge rather than remain anonymous suppliers.
In today's global context
Demand for handmade work is growing across markets, yet unstable orders and thin margins make skills hard to sustain. Better commercial relationships begin with maker agency.
Ten questions to explore
- Who owns a new design developed together?
- How should makers price experimentation?
- What support helps a workshop scale?
- Which materials are becoming harder to source?
- How can design schools learn from makers?
- What makes a buyer brief respectful?
- How should credit appear on products?
- What can apprentices realistically earn?
- How do local markets strengthen resilience?
- Which contracts protect long relationships?
Key outcomes we hope to shape
- A makers-first collaboration template
- Commercial questions for buyers and workshops
We welcome nominations from craft practitioners, design educators, workshop leaders and buyers and others with relevant experience. Speaker nominations are open.
Nominate a speaker for B06 →