Autochthonous Materials and Traditional Manufacturing Methods: Analysis Based on Cultural and Historical Features

In Brazil, there is an abundance of materials resource. Immensely, natural resources, native materials and traditional manufacturing techniques form them. However, the lack of articulation among producer community, companies, development policies in association with a poor projectual speech implies reduced use of local resources and, consequently, results in losses of opportunity to add value to local resources and developing local economy. Discuss and propose strategies for adding value to territories is very important for practitioners and researchers that work in the area of product design. Starting by the question - could a material or manufacturing method enable recognition of places and empathy by users? - We made use of a survey based upon questionnaires, answered by 60 people to find evidences of aspects involved in this relationship. They indicated products or brands made by materials or manufacturing methods they judge related to a place. This paper presents the result of analysis by historical and cultural perspective view based on documental review.