Intercultural Design Final Compilation & Reflection

on
05.02.2024 - 22.03.2024 (Week 1 ~ Week 7)
Ng Kar Yee / 0367743
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design / Final Compilation & Reflection

LECTURES

Week 1⇛ Culture & Design

For our first week, Mr Asrizal and Ms Anis gave us a brief introduction on the module and told us their expectation for the upcoming tasks. They also introduced the other lectures who are facilitating us for our group project. To have a head start on the module, Ms Anis gave a lecture on what is visual information culture as well as announcing the theme for this year's project which is 'Cultural Sensitivity in Design'


Reasons to learn visual information culture

  • Visuals are powerful persuasive medium to provide most of our information about the world.
What are visuals?
  • Everything that can be seen
  • Everything produced or created by humans that can be seen

Design Sensitivity

1. Cultural Sensitivity Awareness
  • Symbolism and Imagery
  • Color Considerations
  • Typography and Language
2. Addressing Cultural Sensitivity
  • Inclusive Design
  • User Research
  • Localization
  • Cultural Awareness Training

Week 2⇛ Culture, Design & Research

For our second week, Ms Anis introduced culture, design and research as well as gave a lecture on how ways to do research and introduced the design system to us.

Reasons To Do Research

  • We are able to identify the social, cultural & political sphere where the design elements reside
  • We are able to gather more data and process them into crucial information needed to kickstart your workflow.

Designing System

1. Basic assumptions (cultural functions)
  • Values
  • Principles
  • Practices
2. Norms and values (design language)
  • Look and feel
  • Design elements
  • Design functions
3. Artifacts and products (implementations)
  • Tools
  • Technology

Research Process

1. Before writing the proposal
  • Primary findings (sketches or storyboard based on research)
  • Secondary findings (data collected through published and existing resources)

2. After producing proposal

  • Data collection

3. Design the creation of artwork

  • Final design production of artwork
  • Data collection through published and existing resources

INTRODUCTION

TASK 1

EXERCISE⇒ PROPOSAL

For our first task, we are needed to come up with a proposal to concretize ideas, supported by research, for a final design revolving with the given theme that reflects our understanding and interpretation of global issues and design aesthetics.

For this task, we are requirement to,
  • The general theme is “Cultural Sensitivity in Design”
  • You are to study a cultural phenomenon, or a particular subculture that is perceived as ‘sensitive’, and “frame” your study within the chosen theme.
  • You are to convey this cultural aspect without altering the actual facts but within a presentable interpretation and adaptation that raises awareness from the viewers.
  • Produce some preliminary ideas on how to visually express your interpretation using design language. Each idea is to be supported by a short rationale. Conduct visual research to help expand your idea generation.

RESEARCH

I started on doing my own research on the topic while waiting for the lecturer to separate us in our groups. I chose to do a research on Japanese cultural kimonos and it's behind meaning.

PROPOSAL

After getting our groups, we immediately took action and started a discussion on which topic we wanted to research on. After a dynamic discussion, we concluded to do a research on 'GEISHA CULTURE'. To have a head start, we divided our research parts between our group members and did a google doc as well as a slides about it.

FINAL PRESENTATION FOR PROPOSAL

TASK 2

EXERCISE⇒ FIELD STUDY

For our second task, we are needed to conduct a data gathering collection process about the culture with relevance to the theme and our research objectives.

For this task, we are requirement to,

  • Collect visual, oral, textual and tactile artefacts that would be part of their research materials for the ideation in Project 1 (proposal). 
  • All collected artefacts and materials must be recorded, kept and documented, accompanied by necessary information such as the type of artefact and material, its purpose, its symbolism, its cultural/historical background, and more, depending on the kind of artefact and material.

Data Collection Methods

  • Observation study.
  • Interview of relevant stakeholders (from the lecture series, you may approach any of the guest speakers for an interview, if you deem their presentation useful for further research).
  • Online and/or actual physical material visual research of the selected culture (the people/arts/symbols/architecture/text/calligraphy etc.)

DATA COLLECTION

For our data collection, we planned a detail itinerary to cover all the places we needed to go for our data gathering. We headed to places like Shinsaibashisuji and Dotonbori to explore and analyze how local pop-mart are designed. Besides, we explored around a Geisha tradition area which is Gion street as well as booked a visit to Gion Maikoya house in advance to experience what's it like to be a geisha and interviewed a maiko. To get a first-hand experience of Japan culture, we also rented a kimono for a day and enjoyed many local delicacies.  

ITINERARY

FINAL DATA COLLECTION SLIDE


TASK 3

EXERCISE⇒ FINAL PROJECT & PORTFOLIO

For our third task, we are needed to produce visual design outcomes related to their interpretation of the given theme upon the completion of the research, data collection, participation in all class lectures and tutorials, presentation of a complete proposal and research data.

For this task, we are requirement to,

Utilizing the data collected from the research trip, students are to produce visual design outcomes that reflect their interpretation and definition of “Framing”, bearing in mind to consider cultural and aesthetic aspects, balanced with their design knowledge. Various directions and approaches can be engaged in, such as experimental design/art with the use of manual/digital or combination of both media.

PROGRESSION 

After returning from the trip, we had a meeting to discussed and finalize the ideas for the final outcome. We divided the tasks among our group members and started on our work.

Figure 1.0 Task division

Figure 1.1 Task division

At this stage, I was involved in,
  • designing the shoes for both Maiko and Geisha characters
  • designing accessories for Maiko which is the fan
  • design the Maiko's pose with one of the member Lin Si Yan
  • responsible for the typing and arranging the fonts on the packaging design
Figure 1.2 Geisha shoe design
Figure 1.3 Maiko shoe design
Figure 1.4 Fan design
Figure 1.5 Crane design
Figure 1.6 Maiko's pose design

Figure 1.7 Fonts design

PROGRESSION SLIDE

FINAL SLIDE


FINAL OUTCOME

VR FRAME GALLERY

https://framevr.io/bxz-lwf-mkm

We also did a VR Frame Gallery as we wanted present something different for our final outcome. To have a head start, we went to consult Dr Charles who is experience and skill in this aspect on the idea. Dr Charles was surprised and excited on the idea therefore he encourage us to move on to the next step. We started by customizing our own characters then placing our final outcome, 3D modelling and slides in the space to make it look like a visual gallery. We also decorated the gallery with Japanese theme decorations to make it fit with the overall look.  

Figure 1.8 My customize character 

Figure 1.9 A part of the gallery

FINAL PRESENTATION FOR SLIDE

FEEDBACK

Week 3
  • Ms Anis think that among the 3 ideas proposed, she suggested our group to go with the pop-mart idea
Week 4 
  • Ms Anis said that the data collection is very well done, good job on being able to interview a real maiko. Fascinating job done.
Week 5 
  • Ms Anis said that the progress of the group is very fast and we should just continue with what we are doing, remember to include rationales for the concepts behind our design decisions
Week 6 
  • We showed Ms Anis our pop-mart 3D model and she think that we can make the eyes of the doll more "docile". Increase the size of the black part of the eyeballs. Can consider adding titles and subtitles to the product showcase.
Week 7 
  • Ms Anis complimented that the final product is amazing and there is a VR gallery showcasing the products too. Extremely good job on leading the team and the effort of all the group members.

REFLECTION

1. What have I learnt in this module?
  • In this module, I have learnt to understand the role of design and the designer in a wider cultural, political and social context which is essential for my future designing career. We were also taught about cultural sensitivity and awareness which will developed an awareness of cultural biases and stereotypes that may influence design decisions as well as different research process and design methods.

2. What did I enjoy the most?

  • I enjoyed my time for this module as I was able to learn about the world outside of the classroom. It has given me the opportunities to increase my networking and experiences a new culture first-handed. Besides, it has also given me the chance to dive deep and explore the way of designs of a new culture, traditions and perspective.

3. What did I not enjoy the most?

  • I would say the time length of the module. As it was a short sem, we only had 7 weeks to complete the module. The limited time length and datelines have limited the opportunities to produce a more perfect outcome. However, Dr Charles do said, we cannot be satisfy with our own work as there are always space of improvements and step to take to reach the next level.

4. What have I learnt about myself through this module?

  • I have learnt that I'm capable of pushing my boundaries and working as a team to produce a various procedure outcome like doing a 3D pop-mart, VR gallery, drawing and recreating vector files in Adobe Illustrator in just 7 weeks. However, I must admit that I do lack the skills and management skills compared to my peers. Therefore, I hope to make a better change in the future.

5. What has changed and what has not in my learning journey?

  • In my learning journey, I think my perspective and analysis on understanding the world of design and art has changed due to the different culture and perspective in Japan. However, my passion for design and designing style are still set in stone.

6. What could be improved in this module?

  • I don't think there's anything I would like to change or improved in the module as I had a fun and enjoyable journey. I was quite grateful to the lecturers to hold the field trip as I had the opportunity to experience a new culture and widen my horizons first-handed.  Throughout the 7 weeks, my growth in my knowledges for Intercultural Design have bestowed me the ability to see and understand the world of art and design that surrounds me every day more better. Lastly, I wanted to express that I was grateful to meet such great groupmates where everyone put their heart and soul for the entire timeline of the project and having fun at the same time. Therefore, I hope to work with them again soon. 

BEHIND THE SCENES

Figure 2.0 Waiting to board the plane

Figure 2.1 At cup noodle museum

Figure 2.2 Experiencing kimonos

Figure 2.3 Gion street

Figure 2.4 Sakura tree

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