Intercultural Design - Proposal, Data Collection, Final Outcome

5/2/2024 Week 1 -  25/3/2024 Week 8
Ng Jia Ern 0363033
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design
Proposal, Data Collection, Final Outcome

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CONTENT

Introduction & lecture notes

Project 1 - Proposal

Project 2 - Field Study

Project 3 - Final Outcome

Feedback 

Reflection 

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INSTRUCTION

LECTURE NOTES

Week 1

In the first week, Mr Asrizal and Ms Anis introduced the intercultural module course and covered the first topic, which was "Culture & Design," through Teams online meetings.

Lecture slides:

Culture & Design 

Introduction

visuals are processed faster and easier to understand

Visuals are:

1. Everything that can be seen

2. Everything produced or created by humans that can be seen

-For the purpose of visual representations, and usually have specific functions and content, that is why a lot of visuals appear the way they do and we can process information immediately because there is already a perceived meaning/understanding between the designer and audience about the purpose of design.

Example of visuals:

Trees:

1: very obvious is a tree

2. combine with other elements to create different meaning

Tattoos:

Sailor vs Japanese

Tattoos have different meanings depending on where they are inked.

Sailor: the tattoo's symbols tell the stories of journeys made along the open water (like achievements they unlocked), and one of the ways for them to say something when they die, becomes their identification

Japanese tattoos:

-means of conveying societal status

-as spiritual symbols

-a sort of charm for protection

-devotion 忠诚

-but still perceived as a bad identification nowadays because it was often associated with the crime group (Yakuza极道(gangster))

Design system

Cultural Sensitivity Awareness

1. Symbolism and Imagery: Certain symbols and images may carry different meanings across various cultures. Designers need to be mindful to avoid misunderstandings or causing offence.

2. Colour Considerations: Colors can hold cultural significance, and their meanings can differ across diverse societies.

3. Typography and Language: Choosing fonts and text styles that are culturally appropriate is important. Additionally, when designing in multiple languages, ensuring accurate translation of sentences is crucial for reaching diverse audiences.

Addressing Cultural Sensitivity : 

1. Inclusive Design - We need to strive to create products and experiences that are accessible 

2. Localization - Adapting designs to a specific cultural context through localization 

3. User Research - Conducting thorough user research helps designers gain more insights 

4. Cultural Awareness Training - Design teams may benefit from cultural awareness training to develop a deeper understanding of the different cultures. 

Week 2

Lecture Slide:

Culture, Design & Research
In design, research is important to unite the theory and practices of design to establish your project rationale(根本原因）.

With research:
You can pinpoint the social, cultural, and political contexts in which design elements are situated. By understanding the significance of the graphics in its cultural studies, philosophy, sociology and origin history.

How to do research:

1. Before writing the proposal

Secondary findings: published source, eg. Wikipedia/website/YouTube documentaries, (screenshot and put in moldboard)

Primary finding: Sketches of proposed artworks based on your research from secondary findings, eg. sketches/storyboard/wireframe, eg: 要做website(画wireframe来present）

2. After producing the proposal

Primary findings: Data collected by you and your team, eg. on-site observation, interviews/surveys (Interviews and surveys require preparing questions in advance.)

3. During the creation of artwork

Final design production of your artwork

-processes, team contribution

Data collected through published and existing resources

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Project 1 - Proposal

Requirements
- 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.

Submission 
Digital Submission (in one PDF File) in TIMeS:

A PowerPoint presentation of the proposal that contains: 

• 200-word write-up defining and interpreting the theme in relation to the chosen cultural elements.

• Citation is necessary as evidence to the research.

• A minimum of 3 preliminary ideas in detailed sketches, each with individual rationale.

• Visual references (visuals that inspire/influence those ideas).

• Reference list 

• Picture credits

PROCESS

In week 1, we were assigned to independently research a cultural topic of our choice before forming groups. I went online and found some cultural topics that I found particularly interesting.

Research on Japanese culture:

In week 2, we formed a group of six people. We chose Winnie as our leader, and the other members of my group were Hui Yi, Sejin, Kar Yee, Yanny, and myself. We collectively decided to focus on the topic of Geisha culture. We divided our work to research different aspects of Geisha culture.

Research on Geisha culture:

After we gathered our data, we summarised our content into a presentation slide and included 3 idea sketches that we wanted to do which are Popmart geisha character creation, VR Gallery of geisha and kimono design of geisha.

Proposal Slides:

Presentation video for Proposal:

Project 2 - Field Study

Requirements:

The students are required 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

The methods we use to collect data:

1. Observation study 

Under the guidance of Mr. Asrizal, we embarked on a 6-day, 5-night educational trip to Osaka, Japan, where we conducted field visits and collected data.

2. Interview

We made advance reservations and interviewed a maiko to gain a better understanding of Japanese geisha culture.

3. Online material and actual physical material

We searched online and studied Japanese patterns to incorporate them into our kimono design. Additionally, we collected packaging designs from Pop Mart as references. While in Japan, we gathered various materials related to geisha, souvenir designs, and kimono designs, as there is more information about geisha culture in Kyoto. Furthermore, we visited a Pop Mart store in Osaka to learn about blind box designs. In addition, to better understand the wearing and design of kimonos, we also tried on kimonos for firsthand experience.

Data Collection Slide:

We included all the useful data we collected in this slide.

Project 3 - Final Outcome

Progression Slide:

Here included our design process.

Product Showcase :

 

Final Presentation:

 

FEEDBACK

Week 3 : Ms Anis think that among the 3 ideas proposed, she suggested our group to go with the popmart 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 popmart 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.