Intercultural Design Final Compilation
07.02.2025 - 21.03.2025 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Kiew Ting Yi (Nicole) / 0361143 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative MediaIntercultural Design
Final Compilation
Table of Contents:
1. Lectures
2. Instructions
3. Tasks Compilation
- Task 1: Project Proposal
- Task 2: Data Collection
- Task 3: Tiktok Branding
5. Reflection
2. Instructions
3. Tasks Compilation
- Task 1: Project Proposal
- Task 2: Data Collection
- Task 3: Tiktok Branding
5. Reflection
LECTURES
LECTURE 01 - Culture & Design
Understanding the Inseparable Bond Between Culture & Design
In today’s visual-centric world, we live amidst an explosion of imagery, where every design we encounter carries cultural significance. As future designers, it’s crucial to not only develop our creative skills but also to have a deep understanding of how culture informs design decisions.
Design, in essence, is everything created by humans for visual communication. However, this relationship extends beyond aesthetics—effective design must resonate with diverse audiences. Designers must be conscious of cultural nuances, symbolism, and context to ensure their creations are inclusive and meaningful across various social, political, and historical spheres.
The lecture dives into the concept of Design Significance, breaking down the influence of cultural functions, norms, values, and basic assumptions on the look and feel of design elements. A design system involves implementing design elements (like colors, symbols, or typography) that align with a culture’s principles, values, and practices. For instance, the color red in Chinese New Year (CNY) money packets symbolizes luck and prosperity, while in different cultures, the same color might carry various meanings.
The presentation also emphasizes Cultural Sensitivity in design, which goes beyond visuals. It encompasses how designs function and engage users, especially when cultural interpretations or usability come into play. Designers are encouraged to:
- Be mindful of symbolism and imagery, which may carry distinct meanings in different cultures.
- Pay attention to color considerations, as colors can signify different things across societies.
- Select typography and language that aligns with cultural preferences and ensures accurate translation.
In conclusion, designing with cultural sensitivity involves conducting thorough user research, embracing inclusivity, and sometimes adapting designs to specific cultural contexts through localization. This enables designers to create more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful products for people from various backgrounds.
INSTRUCTIONS
TASK 1: PROJECT PROPOSAL
The general theme is “Everyday Design”
- Everyday design refers to the observation and analysis of design elements that are seamlessly integrated into daily life. These designs may not be iconic or extravagant but play a crucial role in shaping the cultural and functional aspects of society. For your project, students can explore how design influences and reflects Japanese culture, behaviour, and identity through commonly encountered objects, environments, and systems.
- Produce some preliminary ideas on how to visually express yourinterpretation using design language. Each idea is to besupported by a short rationale. Conduct visual research to helpexpand your idea generation.
- https://www.notion.so/Theme-Everyday-Design-15ccca1fe9228017bfddd5a930f00e8f?pvs=4
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
Week 01
We were tasked to form a group of 6, with each group consists not more than 3 from the same semester/batch to ensure a more inclusive approach on the module. After grouping up, we were the first to conclude on the Group 01.
Week 02
In the following week, we were coming up with Everyday Design ideas, and the team at first brainstormed a "Survival Kit". We came up with some ideas, and asked Mr Asrizal for feedback. He mentioned that while survival kits maybe essential, it may not be everyday design. We were discussing more and wanted to come up with a collection of "Airline Everyday Essential Kit." We discussed with Dr Charles, and he wanted something more simpler than that, just like one item. After an intensive, funny and witty brainstorming session, we settled on the theme: Straws. I thought of incorporating traditional homages to straws, and kept pushing the idea of "Ketupat Straw".
Week 03
We showed our deck briefly to Dr Charles, and he suggested some more ideas to be incorporated. We ended up sketches some crazy ideas to help straws create conversations, and as a result our presentation deck is done.
You can refer to the deck here:
Intercultural Design Task 1: Project Proposal
Intercultural Design Task 2: Data CollectionTASK 2: DATA COLLECTION
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
Some of the methods by which you can collect data:
- 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 area (the people/arts/symbols/architecture/text/calligraphy etc.)
Submission:
- Google Drive folder containing ALL compilation of your data collection.
- Presentation deck (can be in Google Slides, Canva, Powerpoint or any other suitable tool).
Week 04
After submitting our first assignment, we immediately went ahead to plan the survey. Aricia and Alicia came up with plans for the survey and interview to work on. After the discussion, we worked on the powerpoint deck.
Week 05
After gathering all the data, we also collected physical straws all over Sunway Pyramid! In our deck below, we wrote about what we've discovered from doing surveys, to physical interviews and physical collections of straws in Malaysia!
TASK 3: TIKTOK BRANDING
Upon the completion of the research, data collection, participation in all class lectures and tutorials, presentation of a complete proposal and research data, students will explore various aspects of everyday design. As creative media students, your task is to document and communicate your experiences through a TikTok page. This page should serve as a cultural journal, where you record, reflect, and creatively present your interactions, observations, and insights about everyday design. The goal is to communicate your chosen cultural topics to a broader audience, fostering understanding and appreciation of everyday design through engaging short-form videos.
Submission:
Presentation deck comprising of;
- Introduction to your project
- 200 word rationale (that you did during Task 1)
- Summary of your data collection (more like a recap of things you did during Task 2)
- Progress of your final project (it could be sketches, digital progression, or anything as long as it shows the progress of your final output - if it's video then your behind-the-scene for example).
- Final output
- Link to your e-portfolio(s) - individual links
- Link to your TikTok account
- 10-min recorded presentation of you presenting your project.
E-Portfolio comprising of;
- Compilation Post with link to TikTok page
Week 06
As we've already thought of solutions for our Tiktok since the beginning, we weren't late to start filming. Angel came up with the script and the storyboard, while the rest of us prepared to film! Filming only took us 2 hours and we were already wrapped for the day to edit.
Week 07
Last but not least, we edited the deck and made sure to finish our e-portfolio. This module has been such a blast for all of us! We had so much fun developing our ideas even if it was just a short while.
You can find our Tiktok Page here!
REFLECTIONS
In my intercultural design journey, I’ve learned that design is not merely about aesthetics; it is deeply intertwined with cultural values, traditions, and human experiences. This course has broadened my perspective on how culture shapes the way we perceive, create, and interact with design elements. I have explored diverse cultural motifs, such as traditional crafts, symbols, and patterns, and how they can be thoughtfully integrated into modern design solutions. It emphasized the importance of understanding cultural nuances to avoid misappropriation or misinterpretation, especially when incorporating heritage-inspired elements into design.
I’ve also developed a stronger appreciation for how designers must be empathetic and open-minded when working in global contexts. Intercultural design requires sensitivity, research, and an awareness of the complexities behind different cultural symbols. This knowledge has inspired me to focus on creating designs that not only appeal aesthetically but also foster inclusivity, respect, and connection between diverse cultural groups. Ultimately, intercultural design is a powerful tool to bridge differences and tell meaningful stories across borders.
