INTERCULTURAL DESIGN / PROJECT 1

intercultural Design / Project 1

09/02/2024 - 023/02/2024 / Week 1 - Week 3

Mariam Ayman Mohamed / 0347638

Design Principles / BBachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

LECTURE NOTES

Lecture 1 : Introduction to Intercultural Design
WEEK 1 (05/02/2024 - 9/02/2024)

1. Visual Graphics

Figure 1.0 Introduction to Intercultural Design
(Week 1 - 06/02/2024)

We live in a visual information culture where visuals are powerful persuasive medium that provides information of the world. Visuals are;

Everything that is visible
Everything that humans have produced that is visible

Figure 1.1 Example of Visual Graphics
(Week 1 - 06/02/2023)

Figure 1.2 Design System
(Week 1 - 06/02/2024)

Figure 1.3 Example of Design System
(Week 1 - 06/02/2024)

2. Understanding Design Sensitivity

1. Symbolism and Imagery:

Certain symbols and images may carry different meanings in different cultures, hence designer should be mindful of the culture to avoid misunderstandings and offense.

2. Colours Considerations:

Colours have cultural significance and it differs across societies. Knowing colours of cultural associations will help in decision making.

3.Typography and Languages:

Using fonts and text styles that are actually appropriate can help reach diverse audience.

4. Inclusive Design:

Designers should create products and experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people in different backgrounds involving those with different abilities and needs.

5. User Research:

Conducting user research can help designer gain insights into cultural preferences and behaviours

6. Localising:

Adapting to specific cultural contexts can enhance relevance and acceptance of a product or service.

7. Cultural Awareness Training:

Design teams may benefit from cultural Awareness as it helps deepen understanding of diverse perspectives and sensitivities.

Lecture 2 : Culture, Design and Research
WEEK 2 (12/02/2024 - 18/02/2024)

More than simply talent, instinct, and imagination are required for designers to be more watchful with their work. You can obtain more data/information by conducting research in areas where it is essential to initiate the workflow. This will make the projects easier to see and aid in effectively communicating the messages. It's critical for aspiring designers to accept research habits as an essential component of their creative process. When conducting your study, you will require;

Additional research sources include Wikipedia, websites, YouTube documentaries, and design sources.

Primary Data: On-site observations, surveys, interviews, storyboards, wireframes, and sketches

Lecture 3
WEEK 3 (19/02/2024 - 26/02/2024)

(No Lecture)

INSTRUCTIONS

Project 1 - Exploration

We must first conduct in-depth research on the various cultures for this assignment. Then, as a group, we must create three distinct sketches that are related to the specific culture that we have selected. Next, in addition to the slides (Presentation) describing the culture, background, and sketches involved, we must produce a 200 word work rationale. Understanding the culture, its symbols, and how it presents cultural awareness is essential.

1. Self- Exploration

Figure 1.0 Self-Exploration (Chinese Dragon/Diyas)

(Week 1 - 10/02/2024)

Figure 1.1 Self-Exploration (Chinese Dragon/Diyas)

(Week 1 - 10/02/2024)

Prior to the grouping, I made the decision to further my understanding of cultural sensitivity and to better understand myself. I started by bringing in cultures that I am more familiar with, like Chinese and Indian cultures, because I was initially confused by the information provided in Project 1. I had asked Ms. Anis for clarifications on this matter. Since this is the year of the dragon, I decided to use that idea to symbolize the culture. In terms of Indian culture, I was mostly interested in Deepavali, when Kolams are decorated with diyas every year. I had to question Ms. Anis whether I was headed in the correct direction after considering these factors. She informed me that while I may include these components, it would also need to address the design system's components and locate data or proof pertaining to cultural sensitivity.

2. Final Grouping

With various colored stickers, our lecturers separated the class into four groups: purple, green, white, and yellow.

The color purple stood for students traveling to Korea.

Yellow symbolizes students in the first semester only, while green represented those in the first and second semesters and white represented those who were not in creative media design.

I decided to go with white for that, and we had to divide into groups, each with three stickers of the same color, and each group having stickers of a different color. My group mates are students from Egypt, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia, among other countries. Although it was my first experience working with friends from different countries, I was also eager to make new acquaintances.

Figure 1.2 Searching on different cultures Diyas

Figure 1.3 Searching on different cultures Diyas Day of the dead

Figure 1.3 Searching on different cultures Gold

Figure 1.3 Searching on different cultures Nefertiti

Figure 1.3 Searching on different cultures Sufi

We chose, once the groups were formed, to focus on one culture each and conduct some research before deciding which culture to emphasize. I've chosen to enroll in Diyas since that's when I first began to explore who I am. We agreed to get together and make our choice after a few days. After creating Canva presentations and adding our information, we got together a few days later to talk about the topics that most interested us.

4. Deciding on our final culture

Asking various questions about the culture after a back-and-forth discussion. We have chosen to study Mexican culture, namely the Day of the Dead.

Figure 1.3 Day of the Dead
(Week 3 - 20/02/2024)

This struck us as being incredibly distinctive, colorful, and different from the others. We wanted to stand out from the crowd because we thought the other research we conducted would be quite routine and uninteresting. We also thought this culture was fascinating since we had seen a little bit of it in the movie Coco, which is one of my all-time favorites. However, I had no idea that the movie was a part of their culture. It's something new for me, and I've gained some knowledge from it. We prepared ahead of time for our project 2's interview process and were aware that there would be a variety of difficulties, but we still wanted to give it our all. We divided up the work such that three people would focus on designing and the other three would create the slides and give the presentation. Since I believe I am pretty knowledgeable in this field, I offered to conduct the research. There will come a time when we must complete our assignment by a specific date.

5. Researching On the Mexican Culture

Figure 1.4 La Catrina
(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Each of us had a homework assignment to do, and the procedure mostly required extensive research. As for the presenting team, we had to come up with slides for the presentation and each took a different section. Since cultural sensitivity also focused on the design system, we decided to break the system among ourselves and go back to conduct our own research/findings. The design team was required to produce three sketches along with research explaining why they did so. The middle portion of the pyramid, which included the look and feel, design element, and design purpose, was under my purview. I looked through a number of websites in an attempt to get the answers.

Figure 1.5 Research about the colour involved
(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.6 Research about the History p.1
(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.5 Research about the history p.2
(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.6 Research about the meaning of the Day of The Dead
(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

I searched through a number of websites for articles about the Day of the Dead because I wanted to learn more about this subject and gain a deeper understanding of its background, history, significance of the various colors involved, and Mexican culture's relationship with the skull. I now know so much more about their culture and how they view it. I also learned about the Mexican custom of welcoming souls from beyond the grave, which I found to be very heartwarming and loving. I also really enjoyed the movie Coco, which was very wholesome, but I never connected the dots between the two until I realized. Everything makes sense today as it was depicted in a stunning film, which made it easier for me to comprehend the culture.

Figure 1.7 Group mate research notes

(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.7 Group mate research notes

(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.7 Group mate research notes

(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Figure 1.7 Group mate research notes

(Week 3 - 24/02/2024)

Yeasin, one of my group members, provided his notes with us in point form so that we could better understand Mexican culture and identify the connections between various things. He wrote down all the notes he read and movies he saw online, which I found to be incredibly helpful. I gained a great deal of understanding from his notes. It was evident that he put forth a lot of effort to learn more about the culture before taking any action.

We advised the design team to provide additional information on the color and type of flower they planned to sketch in their artwork. With that, we could enlighten audiences and communicate material more effectively.

6. Final Project 1

Presentation Slides - Dia De Los Muertos

Figure 1.9 Presentation Slides (PDF)

(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Figure 2.0 Rational (200 words) (JPG)

(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Figure 2.1 Sketches & Rational (200 words) (PDF)

(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Pesentation Video

Figure 2.2 Presentation Video

(Week 3 - 23/02/2024

FEEDBACK

WEEK 1 (05/02/2024 - 11/02/2024)

General Feedback

1. Do your homework first. 2. Develop a compelling argument for why you should make certain changes, which is why research is crucial.

3. Connect the dots with the pyramid.

4. Draw your concept first, label it, indicate what it will contain, and describe its appearance.

5. It could be a website or a storyboard.

Personal Feedback

1. A piece of art represents a portion of a culture, not the entire culture.

2. Go back to the design system and develop your concept from there.

WEEK 2 (12/02/2024 - 19/02/2024)

General Feedback

1. Determine the information that must be gathered in relation to your secondary finding.

2. What can be noted

3. Observation is identifiable in simpler terms; consider the wider context

4. Find out what supplies are available to complete the project.

5. Raise consciousness within Project 1.

6. 200 words, based on your argument

WEEK 3 (20/02/2024 - 26/02/2024)

General Feedback

1. Next week is a holiday for classes; 2. A supervisor will be present while gathering data.

3. Sunday at 5 p.m. is the deadline for Task 1.

4. Display your face during the video presentation.

5. One explanation could apply to three drawings

6. It is feasible for a rational to have more than 200–250 words

7. Knowledge and understanding are more crucial than anything else. 8. Capable of comprehending the subject when viewed from a different angle

9. Welcome both physical and digital drawings

10. What is the takeaway?

11. In response, how does it connect to cultural sensitivity?

12. You do not need to draw the sketches in such detail.

13. To assess comprehension is the goal

REFLECTION

Observation

First of all, during Project 1, I made five new friends from all nations and backgrounds. At first, I was a little concerned because I didn't know anyone with a background in education, but I'm happy that I have found my group. They are amiable and industrious individuals. I had a lot of questions about the project's structure throughout this one, even after reading the slides and seeing the videos several times. However, everything became clear after the in-person instruction.

We were required to conduct extensive study on the topics, and although I was concerned that our group members might not agree with each other, after debating the first round, we all reached the same decision because we all found the same issue to be interesting. That we had begun the project and split into two teams—the presenter team and the design team—alarmed me much. This is so that, as this was originally intended to be a group project, everyone can contribute their ideas and labor. As I think research and creating slides are my strong points, I joined the presenter team.

Experiences

One of the difficulties I've had is not knowing if what I'm doing is sufficient or if I'm headed in the right way. I often felt like I'm leading the group, but I wasn't sure if I was doing it correctly. Even though I was feeling quite uncertain and confused, I always talked to my group members about all of my concerns because we would be collaborating with them through to the very end.

Findings

Learning about Mexican culture piqued my curiosity much. I particularly enjoyed reading about the wholesome and caring activities they perform on Day of the Dead, which is not to be confused with Halloween but rather a wonderful culture observed by all who hold a deep respect for the deceased. They extend a warm welcome to their loved ones upon their return, demonstrating their memory of them. I learned so much about a culture I never would have imagined myself delving into, and all in all, this was a truly positive experience. I really enjoyed the movie Coco, but it took me some time to realize that it was about Mexican culture. It wasn't until one of my group members brought up the skull and Mexico that I realized the connection to the film. I watched the movie several times since I found it to be so enjoyable, and understanding more about this culture made it much more fascinating. Since I've already seen the movie and am familiar with its visual elements, I adore the culture. Every step of this procedure brought back vivid memories of the film. I am really appreciative that we selected a culture that some people may not have considered, but for me, it was a really eye-opening experience.

FURTHER READING

Signs in Art

Paintings with curtains can have simple or complex signs that represent a variety of ideas, including mystery, riches, performance, or just a convenient pretext for an artistic endeavor.

Figure 1.0 Queen Elizebeth
(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Elizebeth I's rainbow grasped signals that alluded to her authority over the sky, and the latin phrase "no rainbow without sun" A serpent of wisdom adorns her sleeves, and the eyes and ears on her sunburst-colored garment stand in for her visceral and verbal abilities.

Figure 1.1 Graffiti
(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Basquiat's paintings were characterized by their active, graffiti-inspired style, which entailed the incorporation of conflicting and different concepts into painted collages that had a ripple effect. There are characteristics of the vanitas paintings that are discussed by the African mask that resembles a ginning skull shape.

Figure 1.2 Johaneers Vermeer
(Week 3 - 23/02/2024)

Although the scales are balanced, the woman in the picture is standing by herself while supporting the table. Additionally, the artwork draws attention to her belly, giving the impression that she is pregnant. Vermeer's painting is full of questions that have not been resolved.

References

Artwizard (2020) Signs in Art

https://artwizard.eu/how-to-observe-paintings-%E2%80%93--the-importance-of-signs-and-symbols-in-art-ar-78#:~:text=Signs%20in%20paintings%20can%20be,brushwork%20exploring%20space%20and%20colour.

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Mariam Ayman (347638)