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Lizzie Tanaka (0362065)
Intercultural Design | BDCM | Taylor's University
Project 1; Proposal
LECTURE
We were first briefed on our final project.
- Theme: Cultural Sensitivity
We were taught about design, culture, and research surrounding
it.
1.1. Week 1 Lecture Slides
Designers are to always be vigilant when designing to avoid inappropriate
designs offending a certain culture. To do this, every design process requires
research. With research, designers are able to collect accurate data
and translate them into visuals, making sure that the perceived tone is
correct.
By doing research, designers can discover about social, cultural, and
political sphere where their design elements are first created. This helps
them understand the importance of each elements culturally, and even in
philosophy, sociology and the origin history.
Fig 1.2 Design system
Fig 1.2 shows the design systems that begins from the artifacts and products
(implementations) such as the tools and technology. It breaks down to the
norms and values (design language) with the look and feel of the design, the
design elements and functions. It breaks down even further to the basic
assumptions (cultural functions) like the values, principles, and the
practices.
Researching is incredibly crucial in design process, designers are to do
research before the proposal, after the proposal, and also during the creation
of the outcome. The research process before the proposal is made is divided
into two:
1. Secondary Findings: Collected through existing data (websites,
documentaries, design inspirations)
2. Primary Findings: Sketches of proposed artworks based on the
research (sketch, storyboard, wireframe)
After the proposal, designers expand their research especially in the primary
findings through on-site data collection or interviews/surveys. During the
creation, the design process is divided into two
1. Final work: Processes and progresses, team contributions
2. Data collected through existing sources: Instructions, safety and
regulations
Cultural Sensitivity
This includes several things that designers should always be aware to be
culturally sensitive in their designs:
1. Symbolism and Imagery:
> Same symbolism/imagery can mean different things in other cultures
> Be aware of potential misunderstandings due to different cultures
2. Colour
> Several colors mean certain things in a culture and can vary between
cultures
3. Typography
> Pay attention to font choices, make sure it's appropriate
> There are fonts with language versions
> Be sure that the translations are correct when designing for a more
diverse target
When addressing cultural sensitivity, designers should always make sure of
these things:
1. Inclusive Design
> Design should always be accessible to audiences of every background, both
in culture and abilities.
2. Localisation
> Design should be able to adapt and blend well into the culture of a
certain audience.
3. User Research
> Designers should do a detailed process of user research to gain knowledge
about certain culture
4. Cultural Awareness Training
> Regular training on different cultures ensure that designers are more
understanding of different cultures and point of views.
INSTRUCTIONS
For task 1, we were given around 2 weeks to create a proposal with out group of our ideas before gathering the needed data.
a. Study a cultural phenomenon or a subculture perceived as sensitive
b. Convey the cultural perspective without changing actual facts, within a presentable interpretation and adaptation to raise awareness.
c. Gather preliminary ideas on how to visually express your own interpretation, supported by a short rationale.
Requirements:
1. 200-words for main cultural aspect rationale
2. Citations
3. Minimum of 3 preliminary ideas (sketches & rationale on each)
4. References
5. Reference list
6. Picture credits
Process Work
A. Proposal
A.1. Researching & Ideating
Before we were grouped together, we were also tasked to find our own ideas
first. I thought of doing something around Japanese fans where I found 'kyo,'
which was a Japanese folding fan. Japan has many types of fans but I was
specifically drawn to the folding fan since I've seen other cultures using a
folding fan as well. My idea was to probably create a fan ourselves and paint
it with Japanese culture. However, I thought that it was too generic of an
idea so I didn't go into details when sharing my idea.
After getting a brief on our theme, Cultural Sensitivity, and the whole
intercultural design in general, we had to submit our proposal presentation
video by the end of week 3. We began our research in the first class of week 3
(Monday) online via Google Meet to discuss our ideas. We switched ideas and
explained our own ideas. Our main idea ended up to be Emily's idea which was
creating an advent calendar filled with candies and snacks from Japan, with a
vending machine design and look to it as we took the idea of the vending
machine culture in Japan.
On Wednesday of week 3, we decided to meet face-to-face to further discuss our
ideas and other potential ideas. Ying-ying and Emily collected preliminary
ideas such as the advent calendar x vending machine, a bubblegum machine that
has gumballs filled with Japanese products, rotating pencil holders, matchbox
filled with snacks, camera filmtape with information from traditional to
modern products of Japan, box of files with files containing information and
snacks of Japan, and a calendar with a Japanese product and image.
Velicia had an idea of Kansazhi, the Japanese traditional hair ornaments.
Alongside this, we explored other Japanese cultural items such as
komebukuro (hand-stitched drawstring bag), traditional games,
coming-of-age ceremony in Japan, sakuras, Japanese art styles (ukiyo-e), traditional toys, more. By the end of the meeting, we wanted to combine a
certain output with a Japanese element.
Fig 2.1 Our topic and preliminary ideas
We then decided that 2 person should do one idea each. Our final ideas were;
1. Fashion Accessories x history: Emily & Lizzie
2. Fashion Accessories x art: Tao & Velicia
3. Fashion Accessories x traditional toys: Aisya & Ying Ying
I decided to do idea 1, fashion accessory and history. I started by researching how usual kanzashi hairpins look like (fig 2.5). Then I tried to find a Japanese symbolism; crane birds and sakura.
Upon research, I found that cranes in Japanese culture symbolizes peace, luck, and longevity as well as loyalty and wisdom. This symbolism has existed since historical periods in Japan, appearing commonly in traditional patterns. Source
I sketched 2 hairpins
where I include history in it. Fig 2.2 depicts the hairpin and crane attached
to it. I referenced the hairpin similar to the fan in fig 2.5 and the crane
from fig 2.3.
Fig 2.2 Hairpin x Crane
Fig 2.3 Crane reference
For the second hairpin, I did a hairpin combining it with a folding fan
(sensu). Combining a historical element, I chose the sensu
(folding fan) as it has been around since the Heian period, used by nobles and
monks as essential ceremonial items and day-to-day accessories. Sensu is also
found in performing arts and tea ceremonies. 3 types of folding fans use wood,
paper, and silk (hiogi, kamisen, kinusen, respectively) (Masako, n.d.). Sakura
in Japan symbolizes life and death with several meanings, one of them being
'life is fleeting' as it only blooms for a few weeks before dying. There are
also sacred sakura trees, believed to be inhabited by spirits (Japan Airlines,
n.d.)
Fig 2.4 Hairpin x Sensu
Fig 2.5 Hairpin x Sensu References
At the end, I decided to go through with the hairpin and sensu since I thought
about making the outcome which was more doable than making a detailed crane.
Below is the final proposal slide:
Fig 2.6 Final proposal slides
Fig 2.7 Proposal Presentation (Week 3)
Jump Links
FEEDBACKS
Feedbacks start from week 4.
REFLECTION
Unexpectedly, this proposal was the hardest part of all three tasks since I couldn't come up with an idea that relates with cultural sensitivity. I was initially too focused on the definition of cultural sensitivity and the outcome, making it harder for me to think of preliminary ideas. Thankfully, the meetings went quite well considering we just knew each other, and even though there were small unpleasant interactions, we overcame it well. I also felt like the language barrier also made it a bit harder to understand each other's ideas fully.
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