Human-Centered Design in Batik Regeneration: The Role of Artisans in Sustainability of Products and Nusantara Traditions

Abstract

The Indonesian batik tradition, globally recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, currently faces a serious existential threat: a crisis in the generational succession of artisans. Declining interest among the younger generation in pursuing the craft of hand-drawn (*tulis*) and stamped (*cap*) batik threatens the tradition's continuity and risks eroding the intangible knowledge—or tacit knowledge—embedded in the philosophy of its decorative motifs and the spiritual processes of its creation. This study examines the application of Human-Centered Design (HCD) methodology as a new paradigm for redesigning the batik artisan ecosystem. Unlike conventional design innovations that focus solely on the final visual product, the HCD approach positions artisans not as mere objects or production cost factors, but as collaborative partners and cultural innovators. Utilizing the five-stage HCD framework (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test), the research analyzes the motivational structure of the younger generation, revealing that the sustainability of the artisan profession relies primarily on financial stability (40%) and social status or pride (30%), followed by work flexibility (20%) and cultural preservation awareness (10%). The findings confirm that while the protection of batik products can be achieved through digital technology, the sustainability of the batik tradition itself absolutely requires human agents—the artisans. Implementing HCD transforms the batik ecosystem from a mere manufacturing supply chain into an empowered ecosystem that ensures the dignity, intellectual autonomy, and economic well-being of the artisans.