本文以文化研究的後殖民觀點來討論臺灣傳統工藝的定義，歷史書寫及其實踐層面的設計教育三個議題。近年來臺灣的工藝研究，隨著社會人文學科研究方法的加入，已漸漸地由以「物」為研究對象的模式，發展到以「人」為思考中心來進行。本文即以這種以「人與社會」為主軸的思維方式，提出臺灣工藝研究與臺灣這個後殖民社會的相關議題。其目的在藉由後殖民文化研究論述，在我們當前研究工藝承傳通與致力保專傳統文化的同時，供供一個分析臺灣傳統與工藝設計史的觀點；並為目前的設計教育領域，提供一個文化理論基礎，進而由過去的歷史經驗中進一步思索傳統工藝產業及臺灣地域振興文化規劃的發展方向。

This paper discusses research issues related to the development of Taiwanese traditional crafts form a post-colonial perspective. The purpose of this study is to provide a social context research method to the current research trends that focus on the content and techniques of Taiwanese traditional crafts. The study also aims to connect the past history of traditional crafts with local cultural movement prevailing among local communities in Taiwan. The definition of crafts tradition, crafts historical writing, and crafts design education are the three major issues proposed by the author on examining how Taiwanese colonial history influences the development of its crafts development. The study stems personal experiences of participant observation during doctoral dissertation writing and current teaching experience in the Department of Visual Communication Design. Aware of the lack of social and cultural theories in the design field, the author proposes a post-colonial perspective to enrich art and design cultural research.