Intercultural Design - Proposal , Data Collection & Visual Outcomes
5/2/2024 - 25/3/2024 ( Week 1 - Week 8 )
Ho Winnie / 0364866
Intercultural Design / Bachelor's of Design Honors In Creative Media
Proposal , Data Collection & Visual Outcomes
INSTRUCTIONS
Submission Requirement :
Project 1 :
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 idea
generation.
A Power point 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
Project 2 :
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.
Project 3 :
Utilising 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.
1. Lecture Summary
Week 1 : Module Outline
Mr Asrizal and Ms Annis gave us a briefing on the module outline and
projects, we kickstart our first project with the theme " Cultural
Sensitivity in Design". It will be a group project and we are tasked to
study into subcultures or phenomenon related to the theme. Students who are
going to the exchange trip to Japan will need to pick Japan as the country
of study.
Culture & Design
Our first lecture is related to the theme cultural sensitivity, we were
taught that visuals are powerful persuasive mediums to provide most of our
information about the world.
Visuals are :
1) Everything that can be seen
2) Everything produced or created by humans that can be seen
Designers need to be aware of cultural nuances, symbolism and context to
create designs that will be inclusive and resonating with diverse audiences.
Design systems are split into three parts which are cultural functions
(purpose) , design language (aesthetics) , implementations (use)
.
Cultural sensitivity in design is more than just aesthetics, it will also
encompasses functionality, usability and the overall user experience. It is
split into two parts which are cultural sensitivity awareness and addressing
cultural sensitivity.
Cultural Sensitivity Awareness:
1) Symbolism and Imagery - Different symbols carry different meaning in
cultures, we should be mindful of potential cultural
interpretations.
2) Typography and Language - Choosing culturally appropriate forms and
texts is important
3) Color Considerations - Colors have significant cultural
resemblance
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 contexts 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 get a deeper understanding of the different
cultures.
Week 1 Slides :
Week 2 : Culture , Design and Research
Ms Annis gave us a briefing about how vital research is to our design and
with research, we will be able to get more data and process them into
crucial information. Designers need to embrace the habit of research as part
of our work progress.
Research :
1) Identify social and political sphere where the design
resides
2) Unite theory and practices of design to establish your project
rationale
Research Process :
1) Before writing proposal
- Gather secondary findings such as data information from existing
resources such as Wikipedia, Youtube and design sources
- Sketches of artwork based on secondary findings
2) After producing proposal
- Gather primary findings such as on site observation / surveys and
interviews
3) During the creation of artworks
- Final design production of artwork
- Data collected through published resources such as how to regulations and
safety regulations
Week 2 Slides :
A. Week 1 - Personal Research
Before knowing who our teammates are, Mr Asrizal tasked us to look into the
theme on our own first to facilitate easy discussions once the group members
are announced later on. As one of the students heading to Japan for the
exchange trip, I looked into "Cultural Sensitivity in Design in terms of
Japan culture" .
Some sensitive cultures i shortlisted were Pop Anime Art culture , Video
Games , Kimono and Japanese Motifs to look into before the class starts
:
B. Week 2 - Group Research and Proposal
After splitting into groups, we immediately discussed the cultures and
themes we plan to do as a group. After much discussion, the culture we chose
was Geisha Culture in Japan. Geisha is viewed as a sensitive culture due to
much stereotypes surrounding it and the social issues linked to the topic as
well. We all felt that it was a good direction to start with and I was
appointed the leader of the team.
The first task I gave my team was to split up and researched into several
topics of geisha in order for us to get a deeper understanding and at the
same time, understand the stereotypes well.
Below, I documented clearly the topics everyone is in charge of and also
the visual outcomes we discussed together during our physical meeting. I set
a timeline for us to follow so that we would not be late for the submission
and ensure all our materials are done in a timely manner.
After the timeline is laid out, my team and I worked on the research
document for the next few days and attached below is the full research
regarding the geisha culture we chose , cited with references.
Full Research Document :
After gathering sufficient data from the research, we transferred the
details onto a proposal and included 3 idea sketches of what we plan to do -
Popmart geisha character creation , VR Gallery of geisha and kimono design
of geisha.
Full Proposal Slides :
3. Week 3 to 5 - Planning of trip to
Japan and Data Collection in Japan
Prior going to Japan, we researched and looked into the details of which
places we would visit there to collect data. In addition, I called up a
Maikoya House in Kyoto and made a reservation with them to experience a
Geisha Tea Ceremony for me to understand deeper about the geisha
culture.
|
| Fig 3.1 Maikoya House in Kyoto , Week 3 ( 20/2/2024) |
My team members planned out a detailed schedule and transport map for us to collect data in both Osaka and Kyoto. We will mainly visit the Gion Street in Kyoto and Shinsaibashi in Osaka. Below attached is the schedule we plan to follow in Japan. We borrowed an Insta360 camera from Vortex Lab to bring there as well so we can take down beautiful videos and take back this experience to Taylor's.
Itinery in Japan done by Group 6 :
After returning from Japan, our team held a meeting to decide on our visual
outcome and data collection. I briefed the members on how we should continue
forward and divided our tasks for the coming weeks. A main google drive will
be created and all our data will be placed inside the respective folders so
I can extract the pictures out easily.
|
| Fig 3.2 Team Briefing , Week 5 (1/3/2024 ) |
 |
| Fig 3.3 Dividing of Task by Me, Week 5 (1/3/2024) |
While I work on our group's data collection , other tasks are delegated to
the team members as follows :
Group 6 Full Data Collection Slides :
4. Week 6 - 8 - Visual Outcomes
Throughout the rest of the weeks, each of us worked with our own individual
parts and have weekly meeting on the progress. I compiled all our progress
into a google slide so it is easier to present and show Ms Anis
Group 6 Week 7 Progression Slides :
As our team worked to finish the final visual outcomes, I created a VR
space gallery to showcase our 3D models ( Maiko , Geisha and Box ) and also
some data we collected in Japan. Me and my teammates decorated the whole VR
space into a minimalist Japanese style where we split the gallery into
different viewing halls.
Firstly we have the entrance where viewers are welcomed with a Torii Gate
which is a significant icon in Japanese :
|
| Fig 4.1 Entrance of VR Gallery , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
Next, they are led to the first room where we showcased our main models welcoming the viewers in , the hall is also decorated with Sakura cherry blossoms , mimicking the ones we saw in Japan :
|
| Fig 4.2 Main Hall Gallery , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
At the second part of the main hall, we placed images of our final rendered
Popmart models and showcasing the different views of them :
|
| Fig 4.3 Main Hall Showcase Part 2 , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
|
| Fig 4.4 Presentation Room , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
Next we have a Gion room where we decorated it in a Geisha teahouse style
and placed many pictures of the Maiko we took in the Maikoya Teahouse.
Viewers can walk 360 degrees around the models :
|
|
Fig 4.5 Gion Room Part 1 , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
|
|
Fig 4.6 Gion Room Part 2 , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
|
| Fig 4.7 Gion Room Part 3 , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
The next room is an Osaka Castle themed room where we decorated it with Osaka Castle 3D Model and also included a sakura viewing spot as back in Japan , the Osaka Castle area has many beautiful sakura trees. We placed pictures we took inside there as well :
|
| Fig 4.8 Osaka Castle , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
|
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Fig 4.9 Osaka Castle Part 2 , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
|
| Fig 5.0 Packaging Room , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
Here is the top view of the VR Gallery :
|
| Fig 5.1 Top View of VR Gallery , 3/25/2024 ( Week 7 ) |
Final Product Showcase of our Hanako Popmart Collection :
Our Final Presentation :
Link to our VR Gallery here
5. 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.
6. Reflection
Experience : It wasn't an easy task to become the group leader for this project as our idea is very ambitious and there were many factors to it. I had to plan our team's timeline very carefully and ensure that everyone is making progress. However I am very thankful for my amazing teammates as all of them put in their best to complete their part. All of us were on the same page under my leadership and i am sure that all members gained many new different skills out of this project.
Observation : I observed that it was very crucial to learn how to analyze the products while we were doing data collection in Japan as the point of data collection is not just taking photos and considering sensitivity in every design aspect is difficult as well because we always need to link back our rationales to the main topic which is cultural sensitivity in design. I think that all my team initially had troubles with this too and we all discussed alot in detail before we reach any conclusion.
Findings : I find that I understood much more about the culture of geisha and maiko while doing this project as I had the same stereotype initially about them as well. It was very fruitful to read many articles about them and even talking to a real maiko. I particularly enjoy creating the final outcome as all my members were very cooperative in doing their work. Overall, i find that in order to achieve great things , some risks needs to be taken. We were very bold in deciding to do a 3D model instead of 2D and also creating a whole VR gallery to showcase out product. Time management is key in these kind of large scale projects and we all should always communicate once we faced any troubles.
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