Design Development of Woven Textile Motifs and Lifestyle Products Reflecting the Cultural Identity of Khok Prong Community, Wichian Buri District, Phetchabun Province

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The Khok Prong community in Phetchabun Province possesses distinctive traditional weaving skills and local identity; however, these cultural assets have not been systematically applied to contemporary product development. Transforming community identity into innovative textile patterns and marketable lifestyle products can strengthen both cultural preservation and local economic sustainability. This research therefore aimed to: (1) explore the local identity of the Khok Prong community in Phetchabun Province; (2) apply innovation and design principles to develop woven textile patterns inspired by the community's identity; and (3) create lifestyle product prototypes from Khok Prong textiles and evaluate satisfaction with both the patterns and the products.
Methods: A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches. For the qualitative component, in-depth community exploration was conducted to identify local identity elements, followed by the application of design theory to develop three woven textile pattern prototypes inspired by geometric forms and the native Prong plant (Cycas sp.). Five lifestyle product prototypes were subsequently developed, taking into account the fundamental weaving capabilities of community artisans. Structured expert interviews were conducted to evaluate and validate both the pattern and product designs. For the quantitative component, a satisfaction survey was administered to 100 participants using a structured questionnaire covering four evaluative dimensions: woven textile pattern design, lifestyle product design, representation of local identity, and marketing value.
Results: The findings revealed high levels of satisfaction across all four dimensions. Marketing and value received the highest mean score (x̄ = 4.71), followed by representation of local identity (x̄ = 4.70), lifestyle product design (x̄ = 4.59), and woven textile pattern design (x̄ = 4.53). The overall mean score across all dimensions was 4.63, indicating the highest level of satisfaction. Expert evaluations further confirmed that the pattern designs effectively captured the community's cultural identity while maintaining aesthetic quality suitable for commercial application.
Application of this study: The developed patterns and product prototypes can be directly adopted by the Khok Prong weaving community to enhance their textile design practices and expand production for commercial distribution. The design process, which emphasized the practical skills of local artisans, serves as a replicable model for other weaving communities seeking to develop culturally grounded lifestyle products. Additionally, the findings provide a framework for government agencies and community development organizations supporting creative economy initiatives in rural areas.
Conclusions:This research successfully achieved all three stated objectives. The integration of local identity, design innovation, and community weaving skills resulted in textile patterns and lifestyle products that received the highest levels of satisfaction from participants. The outcomes demonstrate that community-based textile traditions can be effectively transformed into contemporary, marketable products while preserving cultural heritage and strengthening the local economy.