INSPIRATION FROM NORTHEASTERN ARTS AND CULTURES FOR TOY DESIGNING FOR 6-12-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Abstract

This research aimed to study and analyze northeastern arts and cultures as a guideline for designing toys for children with age of 6-12 years to have appearances and designs suitable with contemporary lifestyle with remains of cultures. This research demonstrated contents of study and analysis of northeastern arts and cultures according to spatial scope: Khon Kaen, to survey overall contexts of areas in Khon Kaen Province, database of arts and cultures in Khon Kaen Province, and information of Thai traditional toys. These data were employed as a guideline for designing toys for children with age of 6-12 years that could promote development in 3 aspects including social development, perception development and creativity development. The design contained clearly procedural process through design analysis based on the theories of arts and development, principles of toy and play designing for child development. The result of studying and analyzing northeastern arts, cultures and local wisdoms in Khon Kaen Province revealed that arts and cultures in Khon Kaen Province were categorized in different groups including 1) archeological site: 11 locations, 2) northeastern-style Ubosot: 5 buildings, 3) paintings: 4 items, 4) cultures and traditions: 9 events and 5) handicraft: 6 sites. After that, the researcher selected arts and cultures in Khon Kaen Province to design processes to indicate the identity of Khon Kaen Province by considering outstanding and unique features that were distinct from other provinces and widely accepted with potentials of creation. Furthermore, these features could be promoted to represent the Province and applied with the design. The toy design procedures were divided into 3 groups: group 1- arts and culture in painting group and creativity development, group 2- arts and cultures in tradition group and social development and group 3- arts and cultures in northeastern-style Ubosot group and perception development. Each group consisted of 3 different toys. The findings showed that children played the toys and gained experience from practices resulting in the promotion of children’s perception in terms of knowledge, interest and curiosity about colors, patterns, shapes, and designs of toys. As a result, the gap between arts and cultures and children at present could be diminished leading to further connection, extension and utilization in the future.