The concept to be conveyed to the target audience is the transformation of the product form from a basket into a bag, making it more interesting and distinctive — not merely by adjusting the decorative pattern, but through a deeper structural change. Originally, bamboo and rattan served as the main structural framework, with plastic strands used for the weaving. In the new approach, bamboo and rattan will play a greater role within the product itself — for example, using bamboo or rattan strands to wrap and finish all the edges of the basket or bag, allowing the authenticity of the natural material to come through more strongly, replacing the industrial hardness of plastic strand material.

Bamboo or rattan will be shaped through bending techniques, and binding methods using rattan core material will be applied to enhance the sense of handcraftsmanship. The color palette for the plastic or rattan-core weaving will be selected to be tonal and suitable for everyday use — the work will avoid contrasting/opposing colors, overly vivid colors, or an excessive mix of many colors. Each piece will use a set of two colors in its creative composition.

The bag’s form emphasizes contemporary style while still conveying the cultural flavor of the northern Thai urban (Lanna) people. Therefore, the design will draw inspiration from the basket and reinterpret it into a new product (the bag) in a way that remains cohesive and connected to its origin. This requires drawing on the community’s existing weaving expertise while also exploring new weaving perspectives to enrich the work.

1. The design concept of this bag is to combine the “structural simplicity of the sapiew form in the Lanna way of life” with “contemporary graphics derived from hook-weave patterns, creating motifs, density, strength, and grid-like openings.” The charm of traditional craftsmanship is reinterpreted here in the form of “Modern Industrial Craft.” The design employs rattan-core weaving using the hook-weave technique, developed in white and black to create visual interest while remaining practical for real-world use. White and black serve as colors that are easy to wear, cool, and smart — suited to modern, confident women. The hook-weave technique is used to give the woven work greater strength and durability, since this technique results in denser weaving, while also producing evenly sized gaps corresponding to the width of the rattan core, creating an interesting pattern of white and black strands interspersed with openings. The structure uses bamboo or rattan running vertically to form the supportive frame that gives the bag its strength. The bag’s rounded, organic form helps soften the rigidity of the wooden structure, making the overall look lighter and better suited to the user’s body.

2. Inspired by the sapiew — although modern containers made of plastic or metal exist today, the sapiew remains widely used in local communities that still uphold traditional ways of life, and continues to be a valuable craft. It has been redesigned for use as a decorative item or souvenir that reflects the precious wisdom and culture of Lanna. The sapiew is the most distinctive woven container of Northern Thailand, designed for mobility on steep terrain or when trekking. It has a square base that gradually flares out into a rounder mouth, reinforced at all four corners with “mai kham” — sturdy shaved bamboo struts — to bear weight. It is carried like a backpack, with two straps worn over the shoulders, making it suitable for carrying large quantities of vegetables, fruit, or forest produce, and allowing the user to walk on steep slopes with both hands free. It is typically made from mai phai hia or mai phai bong bamboo, woven in a tight plain-weave or twill pattern.