Intercultural Design | Project: Cultural Sensitivity in Design

Everything produced/created by humans that can be seen: for the purpose of visual representation that has functions, content, and communicative purpose.

Design System:

Use the design system to break down/expansion an object.

Figure L1.2: Design System, Week 1 (05/02/2024)

Design Sensitivity:

Cultural Sensitivity Awareness:

Symbolism & Imagery:

Certain symbols/images carry different meanings in different cultures.
Be mindful of potential cultural interpretations to avoid misunderstanding.

Colour Consideration:

Colours can have cultural significance, their meanings can shift in different societies.
Understand the cultural association of colours = Right choice.

Typography & Language:

Use the fonts & text styles that are culturally appropriate are important.
Consider language variations and ensure accurate translations to reach diverse audiences.

Addressing Cultural Sensitivity:

Inclusive Design:

Create products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people from various cultural backgrounds, including those with different abilities and needs.

User Research:

Conduct thorough user research, including ethnographic studies and user testing across diverse groups to gain insights into cultural preferences and behaviours.

Localization:

Adapting designs to specific cultural contexts through localization can enhance the relevance and acceptance of a product/service.

Culture Awareness Training:

Develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and sensitivities.

Week 2 (16/02/2024)

Research Method

These were some notes I wrote down during the lecture.

Figure L2.1: Notes, Week 2 (16/02/2024)

Notes from Google Slide: 02 Culture, Design & Research.

INSTRUCTIONS

PROJECT 1: PROPOSAL

Week 1 (05/02/2024)

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.

Submissions:

Digital Submission (PPT in one PDF File).

200-word write-up defining and interpreting the theme about the chosen cultural elements.
Citation is necessary as evidence of 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.

Progress:

Research

Meaning:

Cultural Sensitivity:

Being aware that cultural differences and similarities between people exist without assigning them a value – positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong (Hamidzay, 2021).

Preliminary Ideas:

Something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory (Preliminary, 2024).

Ideas Research:

To be honest, I don't have any idea about this topic, so I started by doing some research on the places that we'll be going on the Field Trip to Osaka.

Figure P1.1: Research on the Highlights of the Trip, Week 1 (05/02/2024)

After doing some research, I was thinking about the food culture of Japan. I listed down the things I needed to look for in my notes.

Figure P1.2: Food Culture - Notes, Week 1 (05/02/2024)

Reference List:

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka

The Osaka Museum of House and Living

Cupnoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

Osaka Castle

Dotonbori Area

These were the research I did for food culture.

Figure P1.3: Food Culture - PDF, Week 1 (05/02/2024)

Week 2 (16/02/2024)

Grouping

This week, the lecturers asked us to discuss our topic (self-research in Week 1) after being divided into groups with others who were also participating in the field trip to Osaka. Our group members were:

Khu Ying Ying (me)
Emily Soh Ching-Ling
Aisya Diva Anwagodsa
Lizzie Tanaka
Velicia Raquel Dewi Setiawan
Tao Yuze

Week 3 (19/02/2024)

Deciding Topic

During our online meeting in Google Meet on 19/02/2024, we listed out our subculture topics (all related to Japanese culture):

Tattoo
Vending Machine Culture
Food Culture
Tea Ceremony
Geisha Culture
Kyo (Folding Fans)

We decided to choose Vending Machine Culture (suggested by Emily) as our group topic. Then, we brought our preliminary ideas to share with the group at the Library's Café Shop on 21/02/2024. Yet, we had trouble coming up with any relevant preliminary ideas for the topic, so we changed to a new topic: Japanese Fashion Accessories. I compiled everything into a PDF to make a clear guide for our progress.

Figure P1.4: Progress Documentation of Deciding Topic (PDF), Week 3 (22/02/2024)

Week 3 (23/02/2024)

Proposal Presentation

All documents were uploaded to Google Drive - Proposal.

Figure P1.5: Project 1 - Proposal (PDF), Week 3 (23/02/2024)

Figure P1.6: Project 1 - Proposal (MP4), Week 3 (23/02/2024)

PROJECT 2: FIELD STUDY

Week 4 (26/02/2024)

Requirements:

We are required to collect visual, oral, textual, and tactile artefacts that would be part of our 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, symbolism, cultural/historical background, and more, depending on the kind of artefact and material.

Data Collection Methods:

Observation study.
Interview of relevant stakeholders.
Online/actual physical material* visual research of the selected culture (the people/arts/symbols/architecture/text/calligraphy etc.)

Submissions:

In relevant ways that protect and preserve the collected artefacts and materials.
Accompanying descriptions that properly and clearly inform about important information of each artefact and materials.

Progress:

Data Collection Methods

Our data collection will be based on our field trip research in the Kansai region - Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara from 25/02/2024 to 01/03/2024. The reasons we chose them as our areas of research:

Osaka is the lively centre of modern Japan, known for its urban city and busy nightlife. In contrast, Kyoto and Nara are historical and cultural treasures that represent traditional Japan. Together, these cities provide plenty of perspectives on Japan's Kansai region's cultural diversity and unique fashion.

It was practical and convenient for us to visit these areas due to their nearness. The nearest was Osaka, then Kyoto, and Nara was the furthest and we needed to take about an hour to get there.

For our data collection method, we would be based on:

Primary Research:

Visiting museums, traditional clothing shops, and souvenir shops.
Taking notes/pictures/videos.
Collecting physical samples.

Secondary Research:

Articles such as websites/blogs related to primary research.
Google arts and cultures.

Week 4 (02/03/2024)

Field Trip in Kansai Region

I compiled everything into a PDF to make a clear guide for our field trip in the Kansai region - Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. For more details, please move to "Field Study Presentation" on Week 6 (15/03/2024).

Figure P2.1: Progress Documentation on Field Trip in Kansai Region, Week 4 (02/03/2024)

All artefacts were uploaded to Google Drive - PICTURES.

Week 5 (08/03/2024)

Data Analysis

I created a Canva slide and named it Project 2: Field Trip (Draft Version) for us to do data analysis on the artefacts (images/text) we had collected during the field trip. It was chaos here because we didn't edit the composition.

Figure P2.2: Data Analysis in Canva (Draft Version), Week 5 (08/03/2024)

Week 6 (15/03/2024)

Data Compilation

Then, I created another Canva Slide and named it Project 2: Field Study (Final Version) and edited the composition for the data analysis we did from the previous Canva slide. I really appreciated Emily's helping to check the overall slides (my eyes hurt while editing again and again).

Figure P2.3: Data Analysis in Canva (Final Version), Week 5 (13/03/2024)

Field Study Presentation

All documents were uploaded to Google Drive - FINAL SUBMISSION_G11.

Figure P2.4: Project 2 - Field Study (PDF), Week 6 (15/03/2024)

FINAL PROJECT & PORTFOLIO

Week 7 (19/03/2024)

Requirements:

We are required to produce visual design outcomes that reflect our 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 a combination of both media.

Submissions:

This depends on the proposed medium.

Progress:

Task Distribution

We divided into two groups, which are The Past of Kanzashi and The Present of Kanzashi.

The Past of Kanzashi:

Me - Sketching/Decorating/Photoshoot
Velicia - Sketching/Crafting/Photoshoot
Emily - Crafting/Decorating

Figure P3.1: Me, Velicia, and Emily, Week 7 (19/03/2024)

The Present of Kanzashi:

Aisya - Sketching/Crafting/Decorating
Lizzie - Sketching/Crafting/Decorating

Please visit Aisya & Lizzie's blog for more details of the progress.

Figure P3.2: Aisya & Lizzie, Week 7 (19/03/2024)

Progress of Making The Past of Kanzashi

I compiled everything into a PDF to make a clear guide for our progress of making the past of kanzashi.

Figure P3.3: Progress Documentation of Making The Past of Kanzashi (PDF), Week 8 (28/03/2024)

After that, I created a Canva slide and named it as the Final Project for us to upload the progress and content of The Past of Kanzashi and The Present of Kanzashi based on the task distribution. Again, I really appreciated Emily's helping to edit the composition as I was really struggling on the Design Outcome slides.

Figure P3.4: Editing The Canva Slide, Week 8 (29/03/2024)

Week 8 (28/03/2024)

Final Project & Portfolio Presentation

All documents were uploaded to Google Drive - FINAL SUBMISSION_G11.

Figure P3.5: Final Project & Portfolio (PDF), Week 8 (28/03/2024)

Figure P3.6: Final Project & Portfolio (MP4), Week 8 (29/03/2024)

FEEDBACKS

Week 3 (24/02/2024)

Specific Feedback:

Ms Anis suggested our group explore kanzashi and create a collection of Japanese kanzashi-inspired hair ornaments.

Week 5 (08/03/2024)

Specific Feedback:

Mr Asrizal told us not to replicate elements (things observed in Japan) directly, to find out the reason traditional Japanese accessories are becoming a dying culture and how to bring awareness to this. It doesn't have to be kanzashi.

Week 6 (15/03/2024)

Specific Feedback:

Mr Asrizal checked our progress and said everything was alright.

REFLECTIONS

Experience:

This project was more exhausting than I expected, and although we faced a lot of problems/challenges, we still managed to overcome them. Being in a group randomly was tough, but everyone (mostly) was friendly and willing to help each other. Besides that, it was really refreshing to create a design work that was related to cultural sensitivity based on our research in the Kansai region.

Findings:

Always do more research on your own topic before group discussion.

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Khu Ying Ying (0357306)