International Journal of Applied and Creative Arts

Preserving Sabah’s Heritage: Challenges and Practices in Museum Collection Management and Conservation (2014-2016)

Gregory Kiyai — 2025-12-31

This study examines the management and conservation of cultural artifacts at the Sabah Museum, Malaysia, focusing on the procedures, practices, and challenges involved. The research aims to explore how the museum acquires, categorizes, and preserves its collections, which encompass Sabah cultural and heritage. The research is guided by the following objectives: (1) to analyses the acquisition and categorization of artifacts at the Sabah Museum, (2) to examine the conservation methods employed, including environmental factors affecting preservation, (3) to highlight the cultural significance of artifacts through Ethnology Storage Unit. This qualitative study employs an ethnographic research methodology, incorporating field observations, interviews with museum staff, and document analysis. The findings reveal that while the museum has structured conservation practices, it faces significant challenges in expertise, funding, and infrastructure. The study underscores the importance of preserving cultural artifacts for future generations and contributes to a broader understanding of museum collection management within a diverse cultural setting like Sabah.

The Rich Legacy of Iban’s Tattoo Motifs on Contemporary Craft

Gladys Tagie — 2025-12-31

The Iban people, are one of the main ethnic groups in Sarawak. The Iban people have a unique tattoo culture. The influence of modernity and conflicting religious beliefs pose an increasing threat to this tradition, which is deeply rooted in the tattoo culture. However, the tattoo tradition will endure as people persevere in integrating tattoo motifs into contemporary handicrafts. The fashion industry, which includes both apparel and accessories, is a popular field that involves traditional tattoo motifs. Therefore, we view this study as a significant documentation endeavor, striving to preserve the cultural heritage that forms the core of ethnic pride in Sarawak. The study employs qualitative research methodologies, notably utilizing surveys and interviews with Sarawakians in different regions. The research also seeks to identify tattoo motifs incorporating traditional into contemporary craftwork. Through this study, it inspired local small businesses to increase their enthusiasm for creating and promoting modern crafts that incorporate traditional motifs. In addition, this study also encourages all ethnic groups, including young generations to persist in preserving their traditional cultures, customs, and traditions through contemporary craftwork that will be appropriate for remaining pertinent to the modern era. The enduring nature of traditional tattoo motifs can be utilized in several ways beyond their use on the skin.

The Impact of Aesthetic Cognition on Audiences’ Emotional Experience in Experimental Immersive Art Exhibitions

Yunchen Zhang — 2025-12-31

With the development of science and technology, art exhibitions in various countries now pay more attention to innovation and cross-border cooperation, integrating different art forms and concepts. Emerging technologies such as digital art and virtual reality are also being used in art exhibitions. In addition, some exhibitions present social issues, political issues or environmental themes to trigger thinking and discussion among the audience. Art exhibitions are also increasingly focusing on sustainability and inclusivity in an attempt to engage a wider audience. For the same art work, the audience's unclear interpretation and aesthetic standards have always triggered research and discussion by many scholars. However, some researchers have identified the impact of aesthetic education and aesthetic cognition on the creation of art workers, and few studies have analyzed art from the audience's perspective. Organizers are making conscious efforts to engage a broader audience by creating spaces that welcome diverse voices and perspectives. This trend underscores the importance of accessibility in the art world, as well as the need for exhibitions to resonate with varied demographic groups. Therefore, this study aims to think about the impact of aesthetic cognition on the exhibition experience/emotional experience from the audience's perspective. importance. The research work used methods such as ground theory which including of using questionnaires, visiting interviews, and meeting analysis to conduct research on the artistic works of the June graduation exhibition of the School of Experimental Art and Science and Technology of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China. This provides a certain theoretical basis for artists and curators to create experimental art works.

Push the boundaries：The Evolution of China's Handbags in 1925-1937

JingWen Liu — 2025-12-31

The woman’s handbag is a symbolic consumer artifact imbued with multiple layers of meaning. This object reflects and intertwines ideologies, economics, culture, social statuses, and personal identities. However, current academic literature lacks a clear focus on this ubiquitous and meaningful artifact. In China, the early 20th century marked an important turn in the history of Chinese women's clothing, with a shift from wide robes with large sleeves to tight-fitting cheongsams. The cheongsams made it impossible to hide women's belongings,and bags and accessories gradually came to the forefront of people's attention. However, several researchers have identified the historical evolution of Chinese handbags during this period of transformation of the dress phenomenon. Therefore, this study applies the historical research method based on the data of Chinese women's magazines during the period of 1925-1937, aims to clarify the development of Chinese bags during the period of 1925-1937, and to analyze the evolution of the appearance of Chinese bags in the early twentieth century. This study contributes to the Chinese bag history by offering a analysis of its evolution. It serves as a valuable reference for future scholars in this field, enhancing our understanding of the cultural and social significance of Chinese bag history.

Preserving Dusun Folklore: Integrating Traditional Narratives into Modern Digital Media

Hannah Nyuk Fun Kong — 2025-12-31

The preservation and digitalization of Dusun folklore have been the focus of numerous studies, highlighting the significance of preserving cultural heritage in the midst of modern influences. This research aims to address the challenges posed by globalization and technological advancements that threaten traditional storytelling practices and cultural identity. By integrating innovative digital preservation strategies with archetypes theory within the context of cultural studies, this study seeks to develop effective methods for preserving and representing Dusun folklore. The methodology involves in-depth interviews, observation, document analysis, thematic analysis, and visual analysis of Dusun narratives. The significance of this study lies in its potential to contribute to both academic discourse and practical preservation efforts, ensuring that Dusun cultural narratives are translated into contemporary visual forms and remain relevant in the digital age.

Analysing Social Media Engagement Strategies of Top Hijab Brands in Malaysia: A Comprehensive Study of Engagement Metrics and Follower Demographics for Effective Branding Strategies

Wan Nurul Asikin Wan Ramli — 2025-12-31

This research aims to thoroughly investigate the social media engagement strategies employed by the leading hijab brands in Malaysia, focusing on comprehensively analysing engagement metrics and follower demographics to derive insights crucial for formulating effective branding strategies with the pervasive influence of social media on consumer behaviour. Understanding the intricacies of engagement strategies becomes imperative for hijab brands seeking to enhance their market presence. The research employs a mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative analysis of engagement metrics (such as likes, shares, and comments) in social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X and others in a range of qualitative analyses of follower demographics using media analytic platform and also brand's social media audience characteristics. This study aims to uncover patterns that contribute to successful online branding. The targeted hijab brands represent a diverse spectrum within the Malaysian market, allowing for a nuanced understanding of industry-specific dynamics. The research not only delves into the quantitative aspects of engagement but also explores the qualitative dimension and scrutinises follower demographics. This dual approach provides a comprehensive view of how engagement strategies resonate with distinct audience segments. The findings of this study are expected to contribute significantly to social media marketing and branding, providing hijab brands with actionable insights to refine and optimise their strategies. Additionally, the research may offer theoretical contributions to the broader literature on social media engagement and its intersection with cultural and religious contexts. As hijab brands navigate the evolving landscape of social media, this research aims to equip them with evidence-based strategies to foster meaningful connections with their audience, enhancing their overall brand positioning and impact in the Malaysian market.

Application of Narrative Structure Vladimir Propp and Edmund Burke Feldman of Hornbill Symbol Through Ensera Wat Bujang Sugi Folklore

Florene Masanat — 2025-12-31

This research was conducted to examine the effectiveness of Vladimir Propp's narrative structure and Edmund Burke Feldman theory on the Hornbill symbol through folklore of Ensera Wat Bujang Sugi. The method used in this study is based on the morphological theory of Vladimir Propp and Edmund Burke Feldman theory as a second. The objective of this study is to carry out an academic study on how the narrative structure of Vladimir Propp and Feldman theory implemented toward Hornbill symbol in the folklore of Iban Ensera Wat Bujang Sugi. To analyze the data, the researcher classified the scene according to 3 important elements, namely setting, character and theme. 4 experts in Iban folklore and 4 visual artists were interviewed. Data collection was conducted from interviews and documentation. The study uses descriptive qualitative methods and narrative analysis.

Developing A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Cultural Heritage Learning Using Virtual Reality Technology

Mohamad Shahfik Afendi Abdul Ghani — 2025-12-31

This study explores the outcomes of digital cultural learning, with a focus on the limitations observed in informal cultural heritage learning settings despite extensive scholarly investigation. Recognizing that cultural heritage learning encompasses more than cognitive knowledge transfer, including emotions, attitudes, behavior, engagement, enjoyment, and interaction, this research underscores the growing relevance of virtual reality technology as a learning medium, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research objectives are: (1) to identify an appropriate learning approach for cultural heritage learning through virtual technology, and (2) to propose a conceptual framework for cultural heritage learning using VR technology. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review on cultural heritage learning and validation of proposed learning concepts by five experts, incorporating experiential learning, discovery learning strategy, and motivational learning theory. Findings reveal that cultural heritage learning emphasizes interactivity, enjoyment, integrating assessment and self-directed learning features in virtual applications to enhance user participation and effectiveness in cultural heritage learning. Expert reviews affirm the relevance and compatibility of the proposed features, suggesting they enhance the effectiveness of cultural heritage learning. This positive feedback supports the validity and potential impact of the conceptual framework, confirming its suitability for virtual environment applications in cultural heritage learning. This research contributes to making cultural heritage content more accessible, enjoyable, and educationally valuable through innovative VR applications.

Utilizing Social Media Marketing: For Orang Ulu’s Handicraft Products Promotion

Qistina Donna Lee Abdullah — 2025-12-31

This paper deliberates on references of digital marketing strategies by utilizing social media marketing to promote Orang Ulu’s Handicraft products. The findings of this paper can significantly enhance the visibility and market reach of Orang Ulu’s handicraft products. This research involved 200 respondents who answered the research questionnaires. The data collected from the fieldwork were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The measures used in this article are methodically descriptive frequency analysis. The results of the descriptive means of all the analyzed items highlight and summarize the significance of social media platforms in marketing Orang Ulu’s handicraft products.

Function Analysis of The Six-Tube Bottle from The Husi Kiln in Song Dynasty China

Bo Mu — 2025-12-31

The Husi kiln is an important discovery in the history of Hubei ceramic archaeology, and its porcelain has extremely high archaeological, cultural and economic values. The lack of research on the ceramic culture of Husi Kiln has brought difficulties to the revitalization of cultural heritage, and even the academic community cannot determine the function of the six-tube Bottle as a representative work. From the perspective of design and ethnoarchaeology, this article discusses the functions of the six-tube bottle of the Husi kiln. After sorting out the evolution and development history of the six-tube bottle, combined with the background, economic culture, politics, and ideas of the Song Dynasty, the article discusses the functions of the six-tube bottle, which may include funeral objects, vases, incense burners, and candle holders. It is believed that the six-tube bottle of the Song Dynasty from the Husi kiln is likely to be a funeral object or a vase, and it is unlikely to be an incense burner or a candle holder.

Crafting New Rituals Through Interrituality: A Community Case from Malang, Indonesia

Franciscus Apriwan — 2025-12-31

This article examines how a citizen group in East Java, Hurip Hurup Handarbeni (H3), designs “new rituals” to care for local springs. We use “new ritual” to mean a community-built ceremony that recombines familiar symbols and steps and turns environmental aims into clear, shared rules of conduct. Building on the idea of interrituality, the blending of elements from different ritual repertoires, we show how H3 joins Javanese processions, multi-faith prayer, and civic/disaster signage to make water care visible and actionable at Sumber Wutah. The study draws on seven months of ethnographic, including participant observation and in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that the ritual script does more than raise awareness: it widens participation (officials, elders, youth, visitors), encodes simple rules through color-wrapped trees and banners (“quiet area,” “soap-free,” extraction etiquette), and supports ongoing site maintenance between events. Conceptually, the case clarifies how performance and interrituality can give grassroots initiatives moral authority without large budgets. Practically, it offers a portable template, clear route, cues, and signs that other communities can adapt to protect small water sources. We conclude that carefully crafted ritual can translate cultural heritage into everyday stewardship and help coordinate behavior at sensitive ecological sites.

The Impact of Cultural Identity on The Local Brand of Guilin, China：A Conceptual Study

Xi Huang — 2025-12-31

In today’s global tourism and urban development context, the relationship between cultural identity and place branding has become a key area of research. This study explores the intricate interplay between cultural identity and place branding strategies using Guilin, a city renowned for its natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, as the primary case study. This study seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of how cultural identity influences place branding strategies and outcomes. The study adopts a qualitative approach, primarily through in-depth interviews with Guilin residents, tourists, and stakeholders, and supported by secondary data analysis. The findings are expected to highlight the important impact of cultural identity on place branding, enhance brand equity, promote place attachment, and influence stakeholder engagement. This study aims to facilitate the development of more authentic, culturally resonant, and effective place branding plans to enhance Guilin’s global competitiveness and promote the long-term sustainability and preservation of its cultural assets and traditions.

Evaluation of Gig Economy Awareness and Knowledge Among Undergraduate Creative Media Design Students: Study in Malaysia

Amina Syarfina Binti Abu Bakar — 2025-12-31

The process of digitalization has had a profound impact on the business landscape. The realm of employment has transitioned from a traditional approach to a more adaptable and smooth manner. The emergence of a gig economy has facilitated the development of more design professional opportunities, resulting in an increase in overall designer employment. Opportunities that have subsequently enhanced the country's design economy. This alternative occupation is commonly known as "freelancing", which involves working on a project-by-project basis. In Malaysia, there is a deficiency in awareness and knowledge regarding this topic, necessitating further study and investigation. Prior research conducted in Malaysia has identified various obstacles that the gig economy encounters, including issues related to work stability, safety measures, protective policies, appropriate platforms, and effective distribution. Therefore, further research is necessary to investigate more effective strategies for the growth and execution of gig communities. numerous researchers about the topic. This study seeks to investigate awareness and knowledge among undergraduate creative media design students in Malaysia with Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methodology. The findings will expedite the creation of enhanced platforms and communities for a gig economy. They will offer valuable insights on the benefits of gig and enhance the existing data and information available to policymakers, employers, and design practitioners.

The Evolutionary Process of Culture in the Performance of Sarawak Malay Drums

Nadia Fadila Binti Ali — 2025-12-31

Gendang Malay Sarawak, or ‘bergendang,’ remains a cultural practice within some segments of the Malay community in Sarawak. Historically, bergendang and mukun were highly entertaining performing arts, particularly among the youth. However, the frequency of these drumming performances has significantly diminished over time. This research investigates the factors contributing to the decline in popularity, which has brought this art form to the brink of extinction, particularly due to the dwindling involvement of younger generations. Drawing on Charles Darwin's (1859) theory of cultural evolution, which posits that cultures must exhibit resilience to survive in modern times, this study examines the current state of bergendang. Despite its reduced presence, this traditional art form can still be found on the radio and cultural stages. Through interviews with practitioners, this study explores the transformations in bergendang performance and its struggle for survival in contemporary society.