Bridging Through Multisensory Experiences: The Inheritance and Innovation of Grand Canal Intangible Cultural Heritage in Cultural and Creative Products

Abstract

To advance the preservation and promotion of the Grand Canal's intangible cultural heritage (ICH), this study introduces a multisensory design strategy and validates its practical application. Through a comprehensive literature review, the necessity and feasibility of integrating multisensory design into ICH were substantiated. A structured design framework was developed, encompassing input analysis, data processing, and output evaluation. Six representative traditional operas and their associated musical instruments from the Grand Canal region were selected as case studies. Leveraging sound visualization technology and Arduino components, a prototype of a cultural and creative product was created, integrating visual, auditory, and tactile sensory experiences. This product not only enhances user engagement and cultural identification but also, through user-customized design and 3D printing technology, achieves innovative approaches to personalized cultural experiences and product customization. The findings demonstrate that multisensory design holds significant potential for ICH inheritance, offering novel insights and methodologies for the living heritage transmission of the Grand Canal and other cultural heritages.