2023.02.05 - 2024.03.21 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Khan Saif / 0367438
Intercultural Design GCD61304
Bachelor's Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1-3: Hanhaba Obi
Table of Content:
1. Instruction
2. Lectures
3. Project 1 (Proposal)
4. Project 2 (Data Collection)
5. Project 3 (Final Assessment)
6. Reflection
INSTRUCTIONS
LECTURES 1
Lists of notes to take in this slide:
1. Visuals are:
- Everything that can be seen in a wide, all-inclusive nature.
- Everything produced or created by humans are the purpose of visual representation.
2. Cultural Sensitivity Awareness:
- Cultural Sensitivity are designs that go beyond aesthetics that also encompasses functionality, usability and user experiences.
- Symbolism and Imagery:
Certain symbols and images may carry different meanings in different cultures.
- Color Consideration:
Colors can have cultural significance, and their meanings may vary across
different societies.
- Typography and Languages:
Choosing fonts and text styles that are culturally appropriate is important. Considering language variations and ensuring accurate translations is crucial for reaching diverse audiences.
3. Design Systems:
- Basic Assumption = Cultural Functions = Purpose - Norms and Values = Design Language = Aesthetics
- Artifacts and Products = Implementations = Use
4. Addressing Cultural Sensitivity:
- Inclusive Designs:
Create products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people from various backgrounds, including different abilities and needs.
- User Research:
Conducting research helps designers gain insights into cultural preferences and behaviors.
- Localization:
Adapting designs to specific contexts through localization can enhance the relevance and acceptance of a product and service.
- Cultural Awareness Training:
Design teams may benefit them to develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and sensitivities.
LECTURES 2
PROJECT 1
1. Requirement:
- A proposal to concretise ideas, supported by research, for a final design revolving a given theme that reflects students’ understanding and interpretation of global issues and design aesthetics.
- The general theme is "Cultural Sensitivity in Design".
- The goal for this project:
- Study the cultural phenomenon.
- 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.
2. Submissions:
• 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
3. Process:
Originally, our group wanted to modernize traditional kimono. But then shifted our focus on designing the kimono obi belt and figuring out the simplistic and convenient way to design the belt.
- Research for Design Patterns:
- Concept Art:
- Rationale:
Introduction (191 words):
My name is Saif, currently enrolled in semester 1.5 through this academic journey, and I am tasked and responsible for part of the concept sketch for both men and unisex obi belts. These designs come in a total of 3 designs with variation, from which I decided to choose 2 for each gender obi belt after much consideration.
The male obi belt was designed to be a symbol of resilience and overcoming life’s challenges, particularly within the context of masculinity thanks to its color choice and objectives that will be described. The unisex line gives a blend of power and elegance, transcending genders’ boundaries to appeal to all individuals with their personal identities.
Both are crafted and drew inspiration to deeply connect the Japanese motifs to establish a profound connection with the Japanese culture. By infusing elements of traditional symbolism and aesthetics, I aim to create designs to resonate with the cultural heritage that the design represents. With a considerate fusion of traditional elements with contemporary sensibilities, I seek to create designs that not only pay homage to Japanese culture but also serve as a conduit of cultural dialogue and appreciation.
Men Obi Belt (204 words)
The male obi belt featured the captivating motif of a river (known as kawa in japanese) and was intertwined with the images of koi. The koi within the design is depicted as white with the striking black spots, with that, both the color and design combination of koi represent courage and triumph as they swim through the pattern of kawa, while the koi creates an illusion of waves.
The striking similarity between the Kawa pattern that is similar and the pattern of the group of kois in the belt design further reinforce the theme of life continuity, as the kois echoing the perpetual flow of existence. The choice of blue for the kawa and navy blue background pays homage to the longstanding associations of traditional Japanese masculinity, but this also is a common color of male kimonos and obi belts.
In summary, with the careful amount of consideration of combinations between color, pattern movement and motif, the belt is crafted to encourage men as they navigate life’s paths and challenges, despite the adversity we, as humans, faced in life in general. Ultimately, this belt offers wearers a concrete enduring spirits of perseverance and representation of strength and determination through the flow of time and existence.
Unisex Obi Belt (199 words)
Regarding the Unisex obi belt, it boasts a design incorporating the koushi patterns featuring both thicker and thinner lines with different colors attached. From the research we’ve gathered, the koushi’s thicker lines represent strength and power, while the thinner ones represent grace and elegance. The choice of the color is inspired and aligned with the brand’s logo which we aim to promote. Drawing from the logo’s color scheme that defined the brand. red represents strength, while white represents purity. As a cherry on top, the inclusion of black thick lines adds a touch of elegance.
The unisex obi belt I came up with is a strategic alignment of the brand’s element and identity with the desired attributes of strength, elegance and purity combined. This deliberate fusion and change ensures that the design communicates the brand’s objective while simultaneously giving wearers not only a compelling visual message, but also can express this compelling feeling in a traditional sense.
In summary, by coordinating these elements within the belts, this is an impactful representation for our brand in our eyes. Because this not only promotes our brand but also provide wearers a very meaningful in a visually but also culturally captivating experience.
- References:
PROJECT 2 (CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT/DATA COLLECTION)
1. Requirement:
- Collect visual, oral, textural and textile artefacts that would be part of research materials for the ideations in project 1 proposal.
- All collected artefacts and materials must be recorded, kept and documented that are accompanied by necessary information, such as its purpose, symbolism, cultural/historic background etc.
2. Submission:
Data Collection:
Interview Video:
Infographic Video:
PROJECT 3: FINAL ASSESSMENT:
1. Requirement:
- Utilising the data collected from the research trip, students are to produce visual design outcomes that reflect their interpretation and definition of “Framing”, bearing in mind to consider cultural and aesthetic aspects, balanced with their design knowledge.
2. Submission:
Final Data Collection:
Final Product Slide:
Final Product Presentation Video:
This is a very immersing and eye-opening module to me. The idea of travelling around the world with teammates and opening up our minds and perspectives while travelling together as a way to apply our real-world experience together is such a mind-opening cooperative effort. I admire this so much. Because it shows us that effective cooperation and communication will always be the key to innovation and success, no matter how ambitious and thought-provoking our projects can be.
As someone who has just experience this real world scenario, I'll admit, communication between others with different cultures and languages is more complexing than I thought it was going to be. During our recording session on the interviews, 2 of our team members have to record while simultaneously grab the translator app in order to acknowledge the communication, 100%. On top of that, we are particularly anxious whether most tailors understand the idea of conveying the concept of our unique obi belts, otherwise the gravity of the situation can be irritating to the point that we restart back to the drawing board. Overall, this reality-checking processes show us the that ideas are always free, but not executions.
Otherwise, to sum up the journey we went through in this module, this not only gain my practical researching and cultural awareness skills as a designer, but also deepening my appreciation for the colorful diversity and influence that designs carry through centuries. This is part of my growth as a designer, and I will always treasure those times and teammates who I encountered and worked with.
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