Bespoke gift set: a design research study on cultural heritage preseveration and community collaboration

This study examines the development of a bespoke Hari Raya gift set commissioned for Her Royal Highness, the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, as a case study in collaborative design innovation rooted in cultural heritage. The project represents a significant intersection of traditional Malay cultural heritage, indigenous craftsmanship, and contemporary design practice. Employing a qualitative, practice-based methodology, the research reinterprets the traditional Bunga Tanjung motif into a contemporary table-setting collection comprising songket table runners, placemats, coasters, and anyaman boxes. A total of 300 sets were produced through a collaborative partnership with the Mah Meri community of Pulau Carey, Klang. Findings demonstrate that traditional motifs can be effectively integrated into modern products without compromising cultural authenticity, that indigenous craftsmanship elevates perceived product value, and that such collaborations yield measurable economic and social benefits for artisan communities. The study proposes a replicable model for culturally responsive, community-centred design practice and contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable design and cultural preservation.