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On March 4\u20135, 2025, I gave a presentation at “The 22nd Urban Culture Research Forum: Urban Voices,” held at Chulalongkorn University. The theme was my long-term research in the Nang Loeng district.<\/p>\n
Nang Loeng is a community located in Bangkok\u2019s old town. It was once a lively hub of food and entertainment, filled with cinemas and theaters. In recent years, however, population decline and urban redevelopment have caused the community to lose its vibrancy. For about 15 years, I have been conducting research with local residents to explore the potential for community revitalization through the power of culture.<\/p>\n
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The title of my presentation was I presented alongside Dr. Mathurada Bejrananda and Dr. Veerapong Klangpremjit from Rajamangala University of Technology. I participated as a Visiting Research Fellow at Osaka Metropolitan University.<\/p>\n Looking back on the research, it started with truly modest activities. Before beginning any formal analysis, it was necessary to place myself in the community and contribute in some way to earn their trust. I washed dishes, helped with chores under the community leaders\u2014time that felt more like an apprenticeship than research. It was about being recognized as part of the community.<\/p>\n Through these interactions, I was gradually accepted. Eventually, the relationship became so close that community leaders and their families even attended my wedding. More than academic results, the relationships built through this research have become my greatest asset.<\/p>\n My earlier work explored how community art could contribute to revitalization. However, over the years I realized that art alone could not overcome certain barriers.<\/p>\n This time, together with my collaborators, I introduced the perspective of \u201cdesign.\u201d By applying a co-design approach and expanding the framework of community participation, we aimed to explore possibilities that an art-centered approach alone could not reach.<\/p>\n In this presentation, I discussed the limits of art-driven revitalization and the complementary potential of design, supported by concrete examples (details will be addressed in my next conference presentation).<\/p>\n Since I had once been affiliated with this university, many of my professors and research colleagues were present. Conversations flowed so naturally that it felt like a class reunion, despite 10 or 15 years having passed.<\/p>\n In my opening speech, I expressed gratitude to the professors who had supported me throughout my career. It was especially meaningful to personally thank my doctoral advisor and others who had stood by me for more than 15 years.<\/p>\n There were also lighthearted moments, such as when my behavior as a student came up\u2014apparently, I had not always been considered a model student. While those actions deserved reflection at the time, being able to laugh about them now shows both the passage of time and the depth of these relationships.<\/p>\n This conference was more than just an opportunity to present research. It was a chance to reflect on my journey and renew my appreciation for those who supported me. With wonderful collaborators and warm evaluations from professors, this became a major milestone both as a researcher and as a person.<\/p>\n The experiences I have accumulated in Nang Loeng will continue to inspire new research and practice. The journey of exploring new forms of community revitalization through art, design, and resident collaboration is ongoing.<\/p>\n The perspective of \u201cco-design\u201d explored in this presentation is directly connected to the work of my company, Alt Design Office.<\/p>\n Based in Bangkok and Tokyo, we provide:<\/p>\n Web development (corporate sites, landing pages, digital brochures)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Exhibition booth design and management<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Localization support and marketing strategies for the Thai market<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We deliver a wide range of services.<\/p>\n What we value most is \u201cdesign rooted in local context and cultural background.\u201d From corporate branding to public-sector projects, we design systems that people find easy to use and want to participate in\u2014helping our clients achieve real results.<\/p>\n Our company applies the approach of \u201chuman\u2013community relationships\u201d developed in academic research to real-world practice, generating outcomes. At the same time, insights from practice refine our academic work, grounding theory in reality.<\/p>\n This circulation between research and practice is our greatest strength. The experiences from this conference also form part of that cycle, creating new value that connects communities and businesses, Japan and Thailand.
\u201cDesign with Community: Exploring Possibilities for Nang Loeng Through Co-design Approach\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFrom Community Art to Design<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nConference Atmosphere and Reunions<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nAfter the Presentation<\/h3>\n
Bridging Research and Practice<\/h3>\n
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