Intercultural Design: Full Compilation
5/2/2024
ALTAIFI, LEEN MAAN A (0367698)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media, Taylor's University
Intercultural Design
Table of Content
1. Lectures
- Research
- Proposal
3. Reflections
1. Lectures
Week 1: (5/2/2024)
The first lecture was conducted online, we were introduced to the module and its objectives, as well as a brief lecture about our main project's topic: Culture Sensitivity.
"Culture and design are inseparable, and as future designers, you need to be able to understand and express both as part of your creative skills development."
In this lecture, it is emphasized how powerful visual design is when it comes to information, as most information in the world is portrayed and understood visually. Visuals are everything that can be seen and created by humans for the purpose of being visual representations.
"Designers need to be aware of cultural nuances, symbolism, and context to create designs that are inclusive and resonate with diverse audiences."
Cultural sensitivity in design goes beyond aesthetics; it also encompasses functionality, usability, and the overall user experience. Cultural sensitivity awareness means being aware of how certain symbols and images can carry different meanings across cultures, and considering the usage of color and how it has varying cultural significance, and choosing culturally appropriate fonts and texts.
1. Basic assumptions: Values, principles, and practices.
Cultural functions
Purpose
2. Norms and values: Look & feel, design elements, and design functions.
Design language
Aesthetics
3. Artifacts and products: Tools and technology.
Implementations
Use
Week 2: (16/2/2024)
In this lecture, the importance of researching is emphasized. Researching makes you find more data that is crucial to kickstarting your workflow.
Designers have to be more vigilant with their artworks and this takes more than just skills, intuition, and creativity. (Research)
Research is done before writing the proposal, after producing the proposal, and during the creation of the art work.
Secondary findings: Data collected through published and existing resources
Wikipedia, websites
Youtube documentaries
Design sources, inspirations
Primary findings: Sketches of proposed artworks based on your research from Secondary findings
Sketches
Storyboards
Wireframe
2. Instructions & Tasks
This module provides students with the opportunity to understand the role of design and the designer in a wider cultural, political and social context. It aims to introduce students to local and/or global design and design issues through engagement with outside agencies, groups or cultures, which may present opportunities for collaboration. The module facilitates the direct interaction with major designers, illustrators, artists, external agencies, fellow students from design education institutions in other cultures.
Working as a group, determine a cultural driven basic assumptions or artifacts and products for your artwork project’s topic. Refer to the breakdown or expansion of the Design System to study your chosen topic or artifacts. Compile your findings in a presentation deck along with the 200 words rationale and minimum 3 sketches of project artwork for your proposal.
Research:
Since my groupmates and I were going to Japan, our culture was automatically chosen to be Japanese culture, thus we only had to choose an artifact from their culture.
Before working on our proposal, my groupmates and I brainstormed ideas to propose for our final project. We had a couple of ideas in mind, so we narrowed it down to 3, and collected secondary data about each topic for the proposal, as well as sketches for each respective idea.
1. Noh Masks
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| Fig.2: Noh Mask Ideation Sketches 2 |
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| Fig.1: Noh Mask Ideation Sketches 1 |
2. Geisha Kimonos
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| Fig.3: Three Design Sketches for Geisha Kimono |
3. Japanese Kites
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| Fig.5: Kite Ideation Sketches 2 |
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| Fig.4: Kite Ideation Sketches 1 |
Proposal PDF:
The proposal included the 3 different topics that are: Noh masks, Geisha Kimonos, and Japanese Kites. All with their own rationales, ideas, and sketches, presented by my group members and I.
Proposal Video:
After submitting our proposal video, we chose one of the topics we researched to pursue for the final project, which was the Noh Mask. We then collected further secondary and primary research during our trip in Japan.
Data Collection:
Through our trip to Japan, we have collected data throughout many locations in Osaka and Kyoto, Including: Observational data, Qualitative data (interview), and Surveys. We further enriched our knowledge by experiencing Japanese culture first-hand. We got to physically see how Noh masks are abundantly found throughout Japan in traditionally-rich areas, such as Gion district in Kyoto, and we managed to perform an interview with a collector of antique artifacts.
Through our survey, we aim to spread knowledge about Noh theatre and Noh masks, and preserve the traditional culture in the contemporary world. We conducted this survey to gauge people’s knowledge about Noh theater and Noh masks, which are important parts of Japanese culture. We want to understand why they're meaningful today. The results will help us appreciate Japanese culture better and make sure these traditions are kept alive for future generations.
(Survey link: https://forms.gle/QcPjo28XjK465R6j9)
Final Project Deck (Filter Making):
After collecting all the necessary secondary and primary data, we moved on to work on our final product, Noh Mask AR filters, which consists of six different types of masks: Okina, Jo, Otoko, Onna, Kishin, and Onryo. The pdf attached shows our process in detail
Filter link: https://www.instagram.com/ar/1653423875192188/
Final Project Rationale:
In our project, we created an AR face filter of Noh masks that can be used on Instagram. Using the filter, we can raise awareness about our topic in modern society, where it can also be incorporated and assimilated into the contemporary world. We transformed the traditional wooden mask into a digital AR mask filter that can be accessed freely, globally, and entertainingly!
3. Reflections
In the span of 7 weeks, this subject has taught me a lot of things. In our first two weeks, we were given lectures on the topic of cultural sensitivity when it comes to product making, whether tangible or intangible; how different cultures can interpret the same thing drastically different. One example mentioned was the art of tattoos in bodies; in the majority of western countries, tattoos are generally a way of self expression or designing the self. In Japan, however, tattoos are generally affiliated with the Yakuza, hence negatively received. This is the type of culture sensitivity that matter when it comes to design.
Additionally, during one of our lectures, we did a short simple exercise on figuring out the differences and similarities between 2 designs. And I realized during my observation, I tended to focus more on the smaller details, which is the wrong way to go about it. Focusing on the smaller details rushes the observation and data gathering hierarchy (design system). Instead, I should look at the bigger picture first; the cultural differences and the general elements. This enables a more in depth design in relation to culture sensitivity, whilst maintaining the importance of other elements such as functional design elements and aesthetics.
In this subject, we are instructed to choose one artifact from one certain culture and carry out research on it. We were given the opportunity to travel to Japan to physically carry out our research there. This was my first time conducting primary research, therefore I learned a lot about the means of data collection and the different types it comes in. During our trip to Japan, we collected data through first-hand observation by going to historical and culturally rich areas such as Kyoto, and conducted an interview with an antique artifact collector. We also gathered data from the general public through surveys to gauge the public perception on our topic, and that helped a lot with the aim of our project: to preserve traditional culture in the contemporary world.
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