About the Journal

Journal of Design and Craft Studies [JDCS] -  eISSN: TO BE ASSIGNED| DOI: 10.35738

The Journal of Design and Craft Studies (JDCS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to publishing original, rigorous, and impactful research across the full spectrum of design and craft disciplines. JDCS provides a transdisciplinary platform that brings together theory, practice, and reflection, fostering innovative methodologies and critical perspectives.

Aims

Building on the integrative spirit of design discourse, JDCS examines the cultural, social, economic, philosophical, and technological dimensions of design and craft. The journal’s mission is to advance design and craft-driven inquiry that not only interrogates aesthetic and technical practices but also addresses broader socio-technical, political, and cultural systems. We also invite practitioners and practice-based researchers to submit their work with a strong practice orientation. 

JDCS encourages work that explores:

  • The role of design and craft in shaping socio-technical and socio-political environments
  • The intersections of material practices, innovation, ethics, and emerging technologies
  • How design and craft contribute to social justice, inclusion, sustainability, and cultural resilience
  • The ways in which design thinking, craft knowledge, and creative methodologies generate new forms of value, cultural, economic, and social

We welcome submissions that advance fresh and meaningful scholarship from African and global contexts. These include theoretical, methodological, historical, and practice-based contributions; research that critiques or redefines design and craft knowledge; and work that centres regions marked by austerity, inequality, repair, maintenance, and invisible labour. JDCS values research that draws from diverse epistemologies, including indigenous knowledge systems, intersectional analysis, and science and technology studies, to deepen understanding of material culture, making, and design in contemporary life.

By promoting dialogue between traditional and contemporary approaches to material arts and design, JDCS aims to cultivate a vibrant research community that challenges boundaries, nurtures interdisciplinary innovation, and expands the future of design and craft studies.

Scope

The Journal of Design and Craft Studies welcome submissions that question established norms of design and craft practice, highlight ignored forms of labour and making, and engage critically and creatively with the evolving relationship between design, craft, technology, and society. We support research that fosters new forms of collaboration across disciplines, regions, and knowledge systems.

We invite contributions in areas including, but not limited to:

  • Ethics and AI in human-centered design and craft
  • Design and craft innovations
  • Sustainable practices and policies
  • Psychology, education, and pedagogy
  • Culture and heritage preservation
  • Design, Power, and Social Justice
  • Philosophy, Theory, and Methodology in Design and Craft Research

 

The Journal of Design and Craft Studies publish perspectives, research articles, reviews, short communications, and commentaries. The Journal of Design and Craft Studies has a highly efficient editorial team that ensures shorter publication times, as papers are published shortly after rigorous peer review. This journal is published by the Institute of Textiles & Fashion Professionals – Ghana (ITFP-GH). 

The Editorial team is committed to ensuring the content of works published is ethically sound and does not breach any publishing ethics.

All manuscripts are checked using plagiarism-detection software. All manuscripts undergo double-blind peer review before an editorial decision is made. Journal of Design and Craft Studies encourages experts to submit their CVs via jdescraftstud@itfpgh.com for consideration as reviewers.

5 days

Time to first decision

45 days

Manuscript's review time 

90 days

Submission to acceptance

10 days

Acceptance to publication

 

Open Access

Journal of Design and Craft Studies is an Open Access Journal, a vital part of ITFP-GH’s commitment to advancing unfettered access to scientific literature and ensuring a transparent world of research in which researchers can share their work and utilise one another’s contributions to advance the frontiers of knowledge. 

Journal of Design and Craft Studies offers an extensive range of open-access options to meet the diverse needs of academic institutions and communities, funders, and researchers globally, without compromising quality, research integrity, or rigorous peer review. Thus, the Journal of Design and Craft Studies will continually support researchers in accessing the knowledge they require, irrespective of the model under which it will be published.

 

License

All works published in the Journal of Design and Craft Studies are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. 

 

Copyright

For all articles published in the Journal of Design and Craft Studies, Copyright © is retained by the Authors.

 

Transparency Statement for Journal of Design and Craft Studies

  1. Journal Ownership: Journal of Design and Craft Studies is owned and published by the Institute of Textiles and Fashion Professionals, Ghana (ITFP-GH)
  2. Peer Review Process: The journal operates a double-blind, anonymous peer review model. All articles undergo an initial assessment by the journal editor. If they are suitable for consideration, articles will then be reviewed by a minimum of two external reviewers to assess suitability for publication. Final responsibility for editorial decisions rests with the Editor-in-Chief or the Associate Editors assigned to the journal.
  3. Editorial team/contact information: Contact details for the editorial team can be found on the journal homepage. Queries may also be directed via email at: jdescraftstud@itfpgh.com
  4. Copyright: All articles in the journal are published Open Access under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike International License (CC BY-SA 4.0). This allows authors to retain the copyright of their work whilst others can share, use and build upon this work created on the basis that appropriate attribution is given.
  5. Author Fees: Article Processing Charges (APCs) apply, and details can be found in the APC section of the journal homepage.
  6. Allegations of Misconduct: In the event of any allegation of research or publication misconduct, the publisher and editor will adhere to COPE guidelines in dealing with such allegations.
  7. Conflicts of interest: Authors are asked to declare any financial or ethical conflicts of interest upon submitting their work to the journal.
  8. Frequency: The journal operates a continuous publication model.
  9. Access: All journal articles are published in Open Access under CC BY-SA 4.0.
  10. Advertising: The journal does not accept direct advertising.
  11. Archiving: Contents of the journal are digitally preserved in PKP PLN. Journal of Design and Craft Studies is applying for other preservation schemes.