> [!cite]- Metadata > 2025-05-09 22:14 > Status: #schema > Tags: [[Concept]] [[Knowledge]] [[5 - Atlas/Tags/Philosophy]] [[5 - Atlas/Tags/Psychology]] [[Technique]] [[Thinking]] `Read Time: 2m 32s` >High Level Overview Artisan thinking is a cognitive and practical approach rooted in traditional craftsmanship, emphasizing depth through embodied experience, hands-on learning, and a "slow knowledge" ethos. It stands apart from abstract or purely conceptual problem solving by prioritizing direct engagement with materials, tools, and processes. Core Characteristics of Artisan Thinking Embodied Learning Knowledge is acquired and refined through physical interaction and sensory experience with materials and tools. Artisans "think with their hands," learning by doing rather than by abstract theorizing. Grounded Experience Skills and understanding are deeply rooted in real-world practice and accumulated over time. This learning is often informal, passed down through observation, imitation, and mentorship within a craft tradition. Slow Knowledge Mastery develops gradually, through repetition, patience, and sustained attention to detail. This contrasts with rapid, surface-level learning, favoring depth and durability of skill and understanding. Tacit Knowledge Much of what artisans know is implicit - stored in long-term memory and accessed intuitively during practice. Artisans adjust, repair, and revise their approach dynamically, guided by intuition and a deep familiarity with their craft. Collective and Social Learning Artisan knowledge is often shaped by collective awareness and shared practices within a community or tradition, reinforcing both skill and identity. Artisan Cognition and Decision-Making Unselfconscious Design Thinking Artisans often work without formal plans or intermediary sketches, relying instead on intuition and memory. Their design process is natural and automatic, with decisions emerging from direct engagement with the work. Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation Artisans compare ongoing work with internalized standards, evaluate outcomes, and adapt their methods in real time. This cycle of synthesis, analysis, and reformulation is central to their creative process. Embodied Action and Perception Learning is inseparable from doing; action and perception are intertwined as artisans respond to the immediate qualities of materials and evolving forms. ### Comparison Table |Aspect|Artisan Thinking|Mastery Thinking (Greene)|First Principles Thinking (Musk, Feynman, Aristotle)| |---|---|---|---| |Learning Mode|Embodied, hands-on, tacit|Structured phases, mentorship|Analytical, reductionist, conceptual| |Knowledge Type|Tacit, intuitive, experiential|Tacit + explicit, creative|Foundational truths, explicit| |Pace|Slow, gradual, iterative|Phased, cumulative|Variable, often rapid after analysis| |Decision-Making|Intuitive, in situ, adaptive|Deliberate, experimental|Logical, reconstructive| |Community Role|Collective, tradition-based|Individual + mentor|Individual, sometimes collaborative| Depth Gauging Questions: - Have I built something real with my hands, tools, or code that embodies this idea? - What materials or constraints do I feel through repeated use? - Can I sense when something feels 'off' before I can explain why? - What have I learned that cannot be explained, only shown or demonstrated? - Where in my process do I feel flow, friction, or resistance? Signal of Depth: - You've learned things through doing that cannot be taught through theory - and you trust your intuitive judgement. In summary: Artisan Thinking is a time-honored framework for developing expertise, grounded in hands-on experience, embodied learning, and the slow accumulation of tacit knowledge within a craft tradition. It values depth, adaptability, and the wisdom that emerges from sustained, mindful engagement with the material world. --- ### **References** [5 Phases of Design Thinking for Effective Innovation | AMA](https://www.ama.org/marketing-news/the-5-phases-of-design-thinking/) [What is Design Thinking & Why Is It Beneficial? – IDEO U](https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration/what-is-design-thinking) [Design Thinking: Key Principles, Stages, and Goals Explained](https://www.badrukaschoolofmanagement.edu.in/design-thinking-principles-stages-goals/) [Practicing Design Thinking | Artisan Creative](https://www.artisancreative.com/practicing-design-thinking/) [Design Thinking Mindsets for Human-Centered Design](https://www.innovationtraining.org/design-thinking-mindsets/) [Design Thinking: Principles and process of design thinking in product development](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/design-thinking-principles-process-product-sakshi-gupta-cspo--yu3de) [(PDF) The Craftsperson, Tacit Knowledge, and Digital Embodiment](https://www.academia.edu/76109934/The_Craftsperson_Tacit_Knowledge_and_Digital_Embodiment) [(PDF) Design and Craft Thinking Analysed as Embodied Cognition](https://www.academia.edu/26826740/Design_and_Craft_Thinking_Analysed_as_Embodied_Cognition) [(PDF) The Embodied Art of Craft](https://www.academia.edu/64902911/The_Embodied_Art_of_Craft) [[Practicing Powerful Thinking]] [[Mastery Thinking]] [[Framework for Developing Powerful Thinking]] [[Concept of Operations]] [[Advanced Cognitive Techniques and Mental Models]] [[First Principles Thinking]] [[Minimal Viable Systems Thinking]]