About the Toolkit
The Traditional Costume Design Toolkit is a web-based design support environment developed to structure and enhance traditional costume design, with focused application on the Nilame costume and Ohoriya of Sri Lanka.
Purpose of the platform
Traditional costume design is often shaped by tacit knowledge, inherited practice and individual interpretation. This toolkit responds to that context by transforming cultural, material and production knowledge into a systematic, accessible and repeatable digital design process. It does not prescribe one fixed design outcome. Instead, it guides designers to make informed decisions while respecting cultural meaning, social context and contemporary relevance.
Intended users
Artisans
Document designs, manage materials, maintain rental records and share feedback.
Designers
Use silhouettes, motifs, colours and materials to develop culturally informed designs.
Academics & Researchers
Use the toolkit as a research-oriented platform for learning, experimentation and knowledge generation.
Design methodology
The toolkit is organised as a progressive design journey: cultural understanding, co-creation entry, idea generation, material evaluation, construction preparation, production, distribution, sartorial practice and post-purchase care. Each stage includes decision prompts so that the design process remains both creative and reflective.
Contact
bhagyakpn.23@uom.lk
virajinik@uom.lk
gayathrir@uom.lk
achinir@uom.lk