Reinterpreting Chinese Artistic Heritage in Contemporary Product Design: Integrating Cultural Identity and Design Innovation

Abstract

This study explores how Chinese artistic heritage can serve as a foundation for contemporary product design by integrating cultural identity with creative innovation. Drawing on Qiang embroidery and Dunhuang Feitian imagery as representative cases, the research examines how traditional visual and symbolic elements can be reinterpreted within the context of cultural and creative products (CCPs). A qualitative multiple–case study approach was employed, combining visual analysis, documentary review, and semi-structured interviews with professional designers. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key strategies that enable the transformation of intangible cultural heritage into contemporary design practices. The findings reveal four interconnected design pathways: symbolic abstraction, aesthetic fusion, cultural storytelling, and the development of a Product DNA Model that conceptualizes heritage-based design innovation. These pathways illustrate how designers reinterpret traditional artistic elements through processes of symbolic transformation, material adaptation, and narrative construction. Rather than merely replicating historical motifs, designers translate cultural symbols into contemporary design languages that maintain cultural authenticity while adapting to modern aesthetic and functional contexts. The proposed Product DNA Model integrates four key dimensions—heritage origin, symbolic transformation, material adaptation, and user emotion/storytelling—providing a conceptual framework for understanding how heritage-informed design can be systematically implemented within cultural and creative industries. The study suggests that the reinterpretation of traditional art may enhance emotional resonance, strengthen cultural identity, and support the sustainable development of culturally meaningful products. By bridging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design methodologies, this research contributes to the theoretical understanding of heritage-driven design innovation and offers practical insights for designers, creative enterprises, and cultural institutions seeking to integrate intangible cultural heritage into modern product development.