Intercultural Design

Week 1 - Week 7

Graciella Limpah / 0364517 

Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University   

Intercultural Design

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LECTURES

Culture & Design

40% people respond more to visuals than to text, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, visuals are processed 60,000x faster in the brain than text.

Visuals are everything that can be seen. This definition is wide, inclusive including nature but nature is not culture, unless there's meaning and representation attached to it. Another meaning of visual could be everything produced or created by humans that can be seen. This means that the visual is produced or created by humans for the purpose of visual representations that has functions, content and communicative purpose.

Design Significance

Design System

Design Sensitivity

• Cultural Sensitivity Awareness

Symbolism and Imagery : Some symbols and images may have different meanings in different cultures. Designers should be mindful of potential cultural interpretations to avoid unintentional misunderstandings.

Color Considerations : Colors can have cultural significance, and their meaning may be different across different societies. By understanding the cultural associations of colors can help designers make appropriate choices.

Typography and Language : Choosing fonts and text styles that are culturally appropriate is important. Additionally, considering language variations and ensuring accurate translations is crucial for reaching diverse audiences.

• Addressing Cultural Sensitivity

Inclusive Design : Designers should strive to create products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people from different cultural backgrounds, including those with different abilities and needs.

User Research : Conducting thorough user research, including ethnographic studies and user testing across diverse groups, helps designers gain insights into cultural preferences and behaviors.

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

Cultural Awareness Training : Design teams may benefit from cultural awareness training to develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and sensitivities. 

Culture, Design & Research

With borderless technologies, designers are facing increased challenges to express their creativity in messages that are most beautiful, stunning and appropriate way. With research, we are able to gather more data and process them into crucial information needed to kickstart our workflow, this information will then be used later to help visualize the projects, and covey the messages properly. With research, we are able to identify the social, cultural and political sphere where the design elements reside. By understanding the significance of the graphics in its cultural studies, philosophy, sociology and origin history. 

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INSTRUCTIONS

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Project 1 : Proposal

A proposal is being made to turn ideas into a final design based on a specific theme, "Cultural Sensitivity in Design." This design will reflect students' comprehension of global issues and design aesthetics. The theme revolves around studying a cultural phenomenon or a subculture perceived as sensitive. The aim is to present this cultural aspect authentically while raising awareness among viewers. To achieve this, preliminary ideas will be developed using design language, each supported by a brief explanation. Visual research will aid in expanding these ideas.

Before we come up with one final idea, we discussed a few idea that each one of us found out.

After we finalize Songkran for our topic, we started to discuss further more about it. We worked on pair  to research more for the subtopic :

- Introduction and first sketch : Tang Min Xuan & Lim Jun Teng

- Origin of Songkran and second sketch : Natalie Chu Jing Xuan & Chan Xiang Lam

- How is it Celebrated and third sketch : Graciella Limpah & Katelyn Tan Kye Ling

Click here for our presentation video

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Project 2 : Data Collection

In this part, we will gather data about relevant cultural aspects for their research objectives. We will collect visual, oral, textual, and tactile artifacts for Project 1. All collected materials must be recorded and documented with necessary information such as type, purpose, symbolism, and cultural background.

Data Collection Method

1. Interview

We find a person who already joined Songkran Festival and asked them few questions about it such as how they feel, how did it look like, and so on.

2. Online Research

We decided to go on social media to watch people who already joined Songkran Festival to know more about the festival.

Here are our data collection :

Click here for our data collection slides (interview video are included in the slide)

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Project 3 : Final Project

For our final project, we decided to come out with a brand that sell merchandise related to Songkran Festival. We proposed some of our ideas such as water gun, rain coat, and bucket. After consulting with the lecturer, she suggest us to make the merchandise that are easier for us to make it real design. So we choose rain coat and bucket. Before starting doing the product, firstly, we do our logo.

Here are our final project slides :

Click here for our final presentation

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FEEDBACK

Week 3: (Data Collection)

- If we cant go to Thailand to observe, we can get a person from Thailand to interview.
- Do more online research like those 360 vlogs of Songkran.

Week 4: (Data Collection)
- If cannot find Thai people to interview, can just get someone who has experienced the festival.

Week 5: (Final Designs)
- Can choose raincoats as the final designs as many people uses that during the festival. It can also be done more easily for the final product outcome.
- Can add one more product like a bucket that can be used to splash water on others.
- Come up with a brand name and logo too, something related to Thailand and the Songkran festival.

Week 6: (Final Designs)
- In the final slides must have a recap of the previous task and explain what you've researched and learnt about this culture.
- Good logo and raincoat design, can just do the kid raincoat version for final outcome. The design for the adult version can be "crazier" as it just going to be done digitally. 

- Bucket designs are cute but the lotus one has to have a handle.

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REFLECTION

Experience

Throughout the seven weeks of this module, I've discovered a genuine pleasure in every task we've undertaken. This was my first experience delving so deeply into another culture, and I've gained a wealth of knowledge, particularly about Thailand, which was the focus of our group's study. Before this module, I had never conducted such thorough research into a country's culture. However, the opportunity to explore Thailand's rich cultural tapestry has been both enlightening and enjoyable. Through our research, I've come to appreciate the depth of traditions and customs that make Thailand such a unique and fascinating country. Working closely with my group, we've uncovered many interesting aspects of Thai culture, including its history, art, and societal norms. This module has not only broadened my understanding of Thailand but has also sparked a newfound curiosity in exploring other cultures.

Observation

Throughout this module, our group work provided me with a unique vantage point to observe how each team member approached and completed their tasks. This experience not only enhanced my understanding of our coursework but also gave me valuable insights into different work styles and strategies. Moreover, the diversity of cultures explored in this module was truly eye-opening. With 54 groups, each delving into a distinct culture, I was exposed to a multitude of traditions, beliefs, and customs from around the world. This exposure not only broadened my cultural knowledge but also fostered a deep appreciation for the richness and diversity of human societies. Despite the vast number of groups, the requirement for each group to submit their research through comments provided an excellent opportunity for cross-cultural learning. 

Findings

As my group and I delve into our research on the Songkran Festival in Thailand, I've come to appreciate the depth of enjoyment this event offers. It's not just about splashing water; every element of the festival carries unique meanings and traditions. Designing merchandise for the festival has been a fantastic opportunity for me to enhance my design skills. The feedback I've received from my lecturer has also been incredibly valuable in refining my work. Through this project, I've gained a deeper understanding of Thai culture and have come to realize how distinct it is from other cultures.