Intercultural Design

07.02.2025 - 21.03.2025 (Week 1 - Week 7)

Brenda Wynn (0372128)

Intercultural Design / Bachelors of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project

JUMP LINKS

LECTURE

Visuals =

1) Everything that can be seen (nature included, though it is not considered as culture unless it holds a meaning to it).

2) Everything that humans created for visual representations, which includes functions that can be seen.

Here are some examples of visuals =

Figure 1.1 Visuals example

Tattoos =

1) Sailor Tattoos = Symbolizes their journey through the open water. Here are some examples=

Figure 1.2 Sailor Tattoos example

2) Japanese Tattoos = Traditionally symbolizes devotion or spiritual symbols. It can also be a charm for protection or to convey societal status. Here are some examples=

Figure 1.3 Japanese Tattoos example

Design System =

Figure 1.4 Design System example 1

Figure 1.5 Design System

Design System example=

Figure 1.6 Design System example 2

Design Sensitivity =

Cultural Sensitivity Awareness

1) Symbolism & Imagery = Symbols holds different meanings in various cultures. Designers should consider the different kinds of interpretations that each culture has, to avoid any misunderstandings.

2) Color Considerations = Designers choice of colors are better made after getting a clear understanding of what each color represent and mean to each culture or society.

3) Typography & Language = For the design to get more recognition to diverse viewers. Designers needs to choose a font that is considerate to the different cultures, including the different languages and the correct translations.

Addressing Cultural Sensitivity

1) Inclusive Design = Designers should design with accessibility for people with different needs and inclusiveness for the different cultures.

2) User Research = Assists designers to understand different cultures, which can be done by doing ethnographic studies and user testing with different groups.

3) Localization = Designers can customize designs to different cultural contexts through localization, which can boost the approval of the product or service.

4) Cultural Awareness Training = Undergoing Cultural Awareness Training can help design teams get a better understanding of the different perspectives and sensitivities of different cultures.

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

Week 1

During the first week, we had a lecture and we were told to form into groups.

Week 2

For the first task, we were told to make a proposal. Our group decided to pick a everyday design idea first. We ended up picking product design and for the country we decided on choosing South Korea. Though after further research, we decided to change it to Malaysia. The first idea we thought of was by creating playing cards with Malaysia's culture embedded to each card, such as= the flowers, twin towers, etc.

After the feedback given, we have came up with several new ideas. The ideas were board games, bowls, and fans. But, after much consideration we decided to come up with ventilators for schools. Though after re-thinking about that idea and some more research, we thought that it was not considered as everyday design. In the end, we decided on the idea of cup-holders. The main reason for us to choose cup-holders is because of the little problem that we noticed on hawker stalls tables, or mamaks. That little problem is the little to no-space on our tables when we are dining in food shops. So, we thought that we could make cup-holders that customers can clip onto the table. Which will make the table have more space that will allow customers to put their belongings on the table or eat more comfortably. We have also made a few sketches on how it would work and look. On some of the sketches we made, we decided to implement one of Malaysia's famous flower which is the Hibiscus. Here are the sketches that I made=

Figure 1.7 sketch ideation

The ideation of the designs that I sketched was all about the practicality and use of the cup-holders.

Week 3

After the feedback that Mr. Charles gave us regarding our idea on the cup-holders, he recommended us to change it and set our focus on food spots in Malaysia and its culture. So, we decided to finalize our idea on discovering the things that are taken for granted in different food spots around Malaysia.

This is our Final Proposal Presentation

We also made our first TikTok page named "Tahan Cawan", which roughly translates to "holding a glass or a cup":

Figure 1.8 first TikTok page

For the profile picture, I took some references and implemented it to the design. Here are the references I worked with=

Figure 1.9 profile picture references [source]

This is the profile picture I made using the ibisPaint X app=

Figure 1.10 first account profile picture

Week 4 - Week 5

During week 4, we focused on our data collection by going to different food spots in Subang Jaya. We decided to visit 8 different spots, which includes 2 kopitiam, 2 mamaks, 2 warungs, and 2 hawker centres. These are the names of the food shops we visited around Subang Jaya=

Kopitiam= Chan Ooi Yee Kopitiam and Kafei Dian
Mamaks= Nasi Kandar Shaaz and Nasi Kandar Ali Bistro
Warungs= Warung outside of Taylor's and Blendik
Hawker Centres= Tang City Food Court and Rock Cafe

On those visits, we recorded videos and also took some photos to introduce the viewers to its culture. This is the presentation we made after collecting all the data we needed =

After the feedback Mr. Charles gave us during week 5, he told us to emphasize the things that we discovered that not many people notice.

Week 6 - Week 7

We started to edit the videos with the data we have collected by dividing tasks to make the editing process much more easier and proper. During editing, we have tried multiple ways that suits the best with the clips that we got and the expectations we wanted to achieve. We edited using multiple software's (Premiere Pro, After Effects, CapCut, etc) and adapted according to the clips that we have compiled. For this task, I was assigned to compile all the audio and find the background music that complements each edited video. To do so, I used YouTube to find the background music and the Premiere Pro software to compile the audio. I was also assigned to add the subtitles on the videos, so I used CapCut to add those subtitles. Here are the links to the audios and background music I used for the edited video= source

Figure 1.11 Premiere Pro progress

In addition, we also decided to change our TikTok page username and profile picture to make it complement the content we will be posting more. We decided to choose the username "Daily Sedap" for our new username, "Sedap" in Malay translates to "delicious" in English. This is our new TikTok page=

Figure 1.12 Daily Sedap page

TikTok page link= https://www.tiktok.com/@dailysedap?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

This is the presentation we prepared=

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FEEDBACK

Week 2

Ms. Anis informed us that our idea about playing cards are technically not considered as everyday design.

Week 3

Mr. Charles told us that the idea we had has already been invented. He informed us that the idea we presented needed to be elevated more, and be much more practical. He also recommended us and directed us to find a much better idea than the last one.

Week 5

Mr. Charles told us to do some more research and analyze more into our data collection.

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REFLECTION

Experience

During the period of this project, I have learned much more about what makes a place into a culture. Through that I have came to a much better appreciation for it. When me and my group members went from food spots to food spots it was very fun and memorable to see the different interactions we had with the staff or owners of the food spots. Though when it came to the work, I have learnt much more about some or new software.

Observations

When it was data collection week, I observed and noticed some small things that are not that noticeable. Some examples that I have noticed is the shouting, and the sound of the wok that happens at the hawker centre is very loud, but the customers did not seem to mind at all. It almost looks like they are used to it. Also the kitchen tool that is used to make the half-cooked boiled eggs in the kopitiam seems very underrated, since it was such a useful and practical tool to use. Either way, all the places that me and my group members visited have very significant differences.

Findings

Through this project, I have learned a lot about the culture of food spots in Malaysia and also on my technical skills. I have also noticed that I can learn a lot about the basics of my technical skills with lots of short tutorial videos or research. But, I do think I can do better if I just managed my time well enough. Because, I think that my time management skills are not good enough. Though with the time I have spent on observing and learning, I have already achieve new things that I did not expect or planned.

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