Abstract
This study explores the application of generative artificial intelligence technology in the design of cultural and creative products, using kumis packaging design as a case study. It establishes and validates a “human + AI” collaborative design framework oriented by user demands, driven by cultural resources, and supported by artificially intelligent technological tools. As an important part of ethnic cultural heritage, the Mongolian saddle, with its profound cultural connotations and unique visual characteristics, provides abundant inspiration for kumis packaging design. Through semi-structured interviews, this research identifies design requirement indicators for kumis packaging. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to construct a hierarchical model of requirements and calculate indicator weights to identify key design criteria. Subsequently, samples of Mongolian saddle cultural resources are collected, deconstructed, and categorized using an expert panel method, resulting in a structured image set. These elements are then translated into input prompts for AIGC tools to generate multiple kumis packaging designs rich in the cultural essence of the Mongolian saddle. The designs are scientifically evaluated using the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) method. The results indicate that the integration of AIGC technology not only enables the effective transformation and expression of cultural elements but also significantly enhances the efficiency and diversity of design generation. This validates the feasibility and practical value of AIGC as a “co-creator” in cultural and creative design. This study provides theoretical guidance and practical reference for the innovative integration of ethnic culture and modern design, expands the application scenarios of generative AI technology in cultural and creative design, and contributes to promoting cultural sustainability.
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Thanks to all the researchers who provided advice and support during the writing process of this article. We also extend heartfelt thanks to the editors and reviewers who have helped us.
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Conceptualization: ZFZ. Data curation: ZFZ and XZW. Formal analysis: ZFZ and XZW. Funding acquisition: ZFZ. Investigation: ZFZ and XZW. Methodology: ZFZ. Project administration: ZFZ and MRW. Resources: ZFZ and MRW. Supervision: ZFZ and XYZ. Validation: ZFZ and WS. Visualization: ZFZ and XZW. Writing—original draft: ZFZ. Writing—review & editing: ZFZ.
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All procedures in this study were reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Board of Inner Mongolia Technical College of Construction (IMTCC) (Approval Number: 202501003) on 3 January 2025. All data were collected, recorded, and stored anonymously and confidentially. The study strictly adhered to relevant ethical guidelines and regulations to ensure the protection of participants’ privacy, dignity, and rights. The results presented in this study are original and have not been published or submitted elsewhere. This research did not involve clinical trials, animal experiments, human tissues, biological samples, or sensitive topics such as religious beliefs, racial identity, political views, sexual orientation, or financial information. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.
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Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Consent was collected between 5 January 2025 and 28 February 2025 by the corresponding author and research team from all participants involved in this study. Before participation, all participants were provided with an information sheet outlining the research purpose, procedures, voluntary nature of participation, right to withdraw without penalty, data usage, and publication of aggregated results. The consent covered participation in the study, the use of anonymized data for academic analysis, and the publication of aggregated research findings. All participants were fully and clearly informed that no personally identifiable information would be collected, that anonymity would be strictly protected, and that all data would be securely stored and analyzed anonymously. The study posed no foreseeable physical, psychological, or social risks.
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Zhao, Z., Wang, X., Wang, M. et al. Research on the application and evaluation of Mongolian saddle culture in kumis packaging design based on AIGC. Humanit Soc Sci Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-06948-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-06948-z
