We have officially finished our first 8 week study here on Substack. Over the past 8 weeks we have explored craftsmanship in depth. From viewing how it has suffered over the past 150 years, to understanding our modern situation and what we as individuals can do to revive craftsmanship in our own work and practices.
Here’s an overview of what we covered over the past 8 weeks:
The Craftsmanship Manifesto: We looked at the importance of reviving craftsmanship in the modern world. How scale hinders craftsmanship and seven outlined intentions of The Craftsmanship Manifesto.
A World Without Craftsmanship: In this article we compared a world of craftsmanship to one built on profit and shoddy work. Exploring how craftsmanship addresses the modern issues with longevity, durability and quality.
The Practice of Craftsmanship: What does craftsmanship look like in daily life? Here we observed four important ways one can practice craftsmanship. Giving real life examples and anecdotes from those who live it.
Craftsmanship Can Save Us: In this article we propose a meditation on how craftsmanship can enrich modern existence. Particularly engaging with the narrative of meaning and the elevation of life when work is experienced fully.
Modern Craftsmanship: Can one care for oneself through craftsmanship? We answer this question through the eyes of practitioners. Guiding a philosophical enquiry that gives the reader a reflective position, asking how the work cares for them and their own craft.
I observed Rick Owens’ approach to craftsmanship: In this article we observe and study one of the great fashion designers of our time, and how his relationship with craftsmanship creates situations for growth in his path. Drawing vocational lessons that apply to anyone who practices craftsmanship.
How to practice craftsmanship: We look at how one can live a life whereby they create excellent works. Noting the underlying values an individual has to hold which cause masterful craftsmanship to appear in the world. From how to approach commerce to being guided by beauty and enriching their work with tacit knowledge.
We’ve also included further resources for those who would like to continue studying craftsmanship in more depth.
The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times by René Guénon
The Lost Carving: A Journey to the Heart of Making by David Esterley
The Failure of Technology by Friedrich-Georg Jünger
Craft and the Creative Economy by Susan Luckman
24/7 by Jonathan Crary
The Existential Pleasures of Engineering by Samuel C. Florman
Cræft: An Inquiry Into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts by Alexander Langlands
The Tacit Dimension by Michael Polanyi
The Nature and Art of Workmanship by David Pye
Bernini: His Life and His Rome by Franco Mormando
We hope you have enjoyed the past 8 weeks and our time together as we explored craftsmanship. Though we will be moving on from this topic now, it will come up time and time again, as there is no mastery without craftsmanship and the vocation requires us to master our craft.
With that said, may you continue to practice craftsmanship in your own work and in doing so, encourage others to do the same. As the world is a fundamentally better place for us individually and collectively, when craftsmanship is alive and well in society.
P.S. We’ll be announcing the topic for our next 8 week study soon!
– Joel Uili
Our 2026 Career Archetypes Summer School is officially underway! A huge welcome to all our new students, we are looking forward to hearing your stories, revelations and Career Archetypes. Interested in joining? You haven’t missed out. Enrol here.
No AI or Generative AI was used throughout the process of creating this article.
