INNOVATION WITHIN TRADITION: HYBRID MOTIF DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN ADAPTATION IN CONTEMPORARY UZBEK CARPET WEAVING

Uzbek carpet weaving is a key element of the country’s material and cultural heritage, combining artisanal knowledge, regional identity, and long-standing decorative systems. In the contemporary context, however, carpet production is increasingly influenced by global markets, tourism, interior design trends, and digital technologies. This study examines how traditional Uzbek carpet motifs can be adapted into contemporary design while maintaining cultural continuity. Using qualitative design analysis based on documentary and visual sources, the study explores how geometric, floral, architectural, and symbolic motifs can be transformed through simplification, recombination, scaling, abstraction, and colour modification. The findings show that innovation does not require abandoning tradition but can emerge through controlled transformation of existing visual systems. A five-stage hybrid motif framework is proposed: cultural identification, abstraction, recombination, adaptation, and validation. The study concludes that hybrid design supports both cultural sustainability and economic relevance by keeping traditional craftsmanship active within contemporary design environments.