Crafting democracy: Leveraging short video platforms to empower craftspeople and foster design–craft collaboration

This article explores how short video platforms, such as Douyin (Chinese TikTok), are reshaping China’s craft industry by promoting traditional craftsmanship and empowering craftspeople. Through selected examples from the fields of craft and design, it argues that these platforms enhance public participation in craftsmanship and democratize craft culture by fostering connections and collaboration between craftspeople and the wider community. By allowing craftspeople to showcase their work to a broader audience, these platforms not only raise awareness of traditional crafts but also inspire innovative design ideas that resonate with contemporary tastes. Furthermore, this article highlights how digital platforms contribute to the autonomy of craft makers by decentralizing power and shifting it away from a top-down governance model. By empowering creators to engage with consumers and fellow craftspeople directly, these platforms foster democratic values within the craft industry, making resources more accessible and learning environments more inclusive. However, China’s unique system of craft inheritance and recognition remains centralized and monopolized, with the state maintaining control over what qualifies as legitimate cultural heritage. This centralization poses a considerable obstacle to the full democratization of the craft industry in China.