“Do it yourself” (“DIY”) is the method of building, modifying, or repairing things by themself without the direct aid of experts or professionals. Academic research has described DIY as behaviors where “individuals engage raw and semi-raw materials and parts to produce, transform, or reconstruct material possessions.”
The term “do-it-yourself” has been associated with consumers since at least 1912, primarily in the domain of home improvement and maintenance activities. The phrase “do it yourself” had come into common usage (in standard English) by the 1950s, in reference to the emergence of a trend whereby people undertook home improvement or various other small scale construction projects without the direct aid of experts or professionals, using raw and semi-raw materials such as lumber, nails, and other hand tools.
The DIY concept is a form of the larger cultural movement of do-it-yourself. DIY behavior can be triggered by various motivations previously categorized as marketplace motivations (economic benefits, lack of product availability, lack of product quality, need for customization), and identity enhancement (self-reliance and self-sufficiency). Research suggests that consumers choosing diy over professional help are driven by factors such as curiosity, empowerment, community building, pleasure from achievement, and resourcefulness.
DIY activities run the gamut from gardening, remodeling houses, simple car repairs, etc., to advanced woodworking projects like furniture making. Some DIY enthusiasts may focus on one area or activity; others may choose a variety of areas in which to DIY (e.g., DIY audio, DIY food.)
