Tecendo Santa Maria: design and handicraft to promote sheep's wool

This article presents actions developed as part of the partnership between the 'Design e Território project and the Laboratório de Lã (LabLã/UFSM), aimed at publicizing and enhancing sheep wool handicrafts from the southern region of Brazil. The aim is to describe how design has contributed to building communication strategies and visual identity, promoting the visibility of local knowledge and strengthening links between artisans, institutions and the territory. The methodology adopted is qualitative and applied, based on collaborative design practices and action research. Based on the experience, the role of the designer as a mediator in processes of cultural valorization and articulation of collaborative networks in the context of handicrafts is discussed.