The concept of Located Making refers to purposeful goods whose design, production or use is strongly related to the heritage, culture and/or geography of place. Our research into Located Making practices has resulted in a step-by-step framework that enables practitioners, support organizations, economic development agencies and other stakeholders to understand these practices in relation to human values, connections to place and sustainability. From this, new opportunities can be identified that are commensurate with the priorities of these culturally important practices.

Our Located Making research has benefitted academics and non-academics through fostering innovative partnerships among researchers, businesses, makers, sector organisations and policy advisers, extending understanding of how design expertise can increase the visibility and value of heritage-based making practices, and enhancing strategic development capabilities in the heritage-based maker sectors in China and the UK.