Thai Beverage Public Company Limited’s Creative Young Designer Season 4 project embarked on an inspiring journey with students from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Graduate University of Business. Their mission: to collaborate with the Ban Sai Ngam weaving group, a community enterprise brimming with potential and ingenuity. Leading the charge, Mrs. NimNuan Na Pho Tong, the Chairwoman of the Ban Sai Ngam Weaving Group, championed the initiative to develop innovative product designs and transform the interior landscape of the community’s studio.
The Creative Young Designer Season 4 project stands out for its dedication to giving students real-world experience while benefiting the Ban Sai Ngam community. Students specializing in Graphic Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Environment Design were tasked with crafting exceptional fashion products, eye-catching packaging, and a functional studio for showcasing community products.
The collaboration aimed to elevate Ban Sai Ngam’s already impressive handwoven goods, which had captivated buyers both locally and beyond—thanks to a mix of personal connections and the reach of social media platforms like Facebook. Recognizing the community’s desire to expand its business further, the project set out to create a studio space that would not only serve as a showroom but also reflect the rich cultural identity of Ban Sai Ngam.
This initiative was driven by several objectives: enhancing product diversity, expanding marketing opportunities, and modernizing product presentation to attract a wider audience. The project also promoted an invaluable educational experience for students, who were mentored by experienced lecturers throughout the process. This blend of academia and community service aims to bring about sustainable change for Ban Sai Ngam.
In July 2024, faculty and students visited Ban Sai Ngam for the second time. Their mission: to construct a studio that would beautifully display the community’s products and to design fashion sets that would entice visitors. This endeavor not only provided students with hands-on experience but also invaluable knowledge for local enterprises on how to boost their income sustainably.
Mrs. NimNuan Na Pho Tong expressed her immense satisfaction with the students’ final designs: “I am immensely proud of the work the students have done. The Studio, Fashion, and Packaging designs they created for us are everything we hoped for. We now have a designated space to display our various fabric patterns, which will help us expand our business. The modern packaging has indeed enhanced the perceived value of our products. We are very grateful for this assistance.”
The students themselves found the experience to be a rewarding challenge. Ms. Sirinantha Thampura, a second-year student specializing in Interior Environment Design, shared her thoughts: “When we first visited Ban Sai Ngam, we felt a lot of pressure to meet the community’s needs. Designing sustainably using local materials like wood, bamboo, and weaving machines was tough but incredibly fulfilling. Our mentors guided us through multiple revisions until we achieved a design that Mrs. NimNuan approved. Seeing the project come to life and knowing we contributed to creating a better environment was a proud moment for all of us.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Thanat Ruanthong, a third-year student in the same department, highlighted the practical skills the project imparted: “As seniors, we took on the arduous task of building and assembling the studio components, from shelves to cloth rails. It involved several trips and countless adjustments to ensure the structure was sturdy and weather-resistant. This hands-on experience was invaluable for our future careers. It also taught us the importance of creative thinking and practical skills beyond academic knowledge. This project allowed us to assess our strengths and weaknesses, giving us the roadmap for personal improvement.”
In essence, the Creative Young Designer Season 4 project encapsulates the spirit of symbiotic growth. By merging the creative and marketing acumen of young minds with the rich cultural heritage of Ban Sai Ngam, it sets a precedent for how community collaboration can lead to sustainable development and mutual enrichment.
This kind of project is fantastic. It’s great to see students getting practical experience while helping real communities.
Totally agree! Real-world skills are often overlooked in traditional education.
Yes, but is it fair to use community projects for students’ learning? What if they mess up and harm the community instead?
I see your point, Samantha. However, with proper mentorship and planning, the risks can be managed. The benefits far outweigh the potential downsides, in my opinion.
Mistakes happen, but learning from them is part of the process. The community benefits in the long run.
It’s ironic to me that a huge company like Thai Beverage is behind this. Are they genuinely helping or just looking for some good PR?
It’s possible they want both. Still, if it benefits the community and the students, does the motive really matter?
Good point, Mona. Altruism and self-interest aren’t mutually exclusive.
Maybe, but companies often prioritize their image over actual impact. We need to scrutinize this.
I visited Ban Sai Ngam last year. The weaving group’s products are amazing. They’re really talented.
Lucky you, Ben! I’d love to see their work firsthand. It’s so cool that students are helping them market their talents better.
Ben, did you think their products needed the modern touch students provided? Sometimes traditional crafts shine best when left untouched.
Good question, John. I think combining tradition with modern elements can bring the best of both worlds.
It’s about balance. Respect the tradition but innovate to stay relevant.
Why are we always trying to ‘modernize’ traditional practices? Isn’t that just another form of cultural imperialism?
I understand your concern, but modernization doesn’t necessarily mean destroying traditions. It can mean adapting to new markets while preserving cultural identity.
It’s about empowering communities to thrive in a modern world. Evolution is part of cultural preservation.
I think this is a great initiative. It promotes cultural heritage and gives students a unique learning opportunity.
I wonder how much the students’ designs were influenced by their mentors. Did they truly bring their own creativity into the project?
Mentors are there to guide, not limit creativity. The students likely had plenty of room to innovate.
I hope so, David. But sometimes mentorship can turn into micromanagement.
As long as the students learned and the community benefited, I’d say the project was a success.
It’s awesome to see students working with local materials like bamboo and weaving machines. Sustainability matters!
Indeed! Sustainable design shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be the norm.
Absolutely, Jade. Hopefully, projects like this will set an example for future initiatives.
I hope this isn’t just a one-time project. Ongoing support for communities is crucial.
This must have been such a valuable experience for the students, both professionally and personally.
Quite an inspiring story. I wonder what other communities could benefit from similar collaborations.
Are any of these products available abroad? I’d love to buy some authentic Thai handwoven goods.
Wouldn’t it be better if the focus was on teaching the community how to sustain and evolve their business instead of doing it for them?
From the article, it seems like the students’ involvement is more about partnership and learning from each other.
That’s fair. As long as the community gains long-term benefits and not just a temporary boost.