Intercultural Design
Intercultural Design
03/02/2025 - 24/03/2025 | Week 1 - 7
Jesslyn Octavia Tjong / 0374562 / Bachelor of Design (Honors) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design / Taylors' University
Table of Contents
I. LECTURE
II. INSTRUCTIONS
III. FEEDBACK
IV. REFLECTIONS
V. QUICK LINKS
I. LECTURE
The Intercultural Design module explores how culture and design are
intertwined. As designers, we must understand cultural nuances, symbolism,
and visual representation to create meaningful and inclusive
designs.
Cultural and Design
- Inseparable every design carries cultural meaning and context.
- Visual Information Culture: The modern world is filled with images, but we often overlook how they communicate meaning.
- Nature is not culture unless it has representation and meaning.
- The visual consists of human-made objects meant for communication, function, and aesthetics.
(Visuals serve as a persuasive tool for storytelling and information.)
(Designers must be aware of cultural significance in their work.)
Design Significance
Social, cultural & political spheres where design elements
exist.
Philosophy, sociology, and historical context behind visual
representations.
Design System
Figure 1.0, Design system
Basic Assumptions: Cultural functions & purpose.
Norms & Values: Aesthetics, symbolism, design language.
Artifacts & Products: Implementation, tools, and materials used in
design.
(Design is shaped by historical and cultural beliefs, values, and
functions.)
(Applying cultural awareness in design ensures meaningful
storytelling.)
Design Sensitivity
Cultural Sensitivity in Design goes beyond aesthetics, it includes
functionality, usability, and user experience.
Elements of Cultural Sensitivity:
Symbolism & Imagery : Symbols may have different meanings across
cultures.
Color Considerations : Colors hold different cultural significance.
Typography & Language: Fonts, scripts, and translations must be
contectually appropriate.
(Avoid cultural misrepresentation by researching and respecting different
cultures.)
(User research and localization can improve design relevance.)
II. INSTRUCTION
TASK 1
In this first task, we need to identify and research a cultural topic or
issue relevant based on the theme "Everyday Design" and develop a clear
proposal that outlines the concept, objectives, and research
approach.
Research and Ideation
We are required to form a group in different courses and semesters, and
start to research everyday design and the culture that we need to study.
At the beginning, we have some idea about light, cup, chopstick, and paper
carving. After doing some research and idea sketches on it, we decided to
choose chopsticks as our everyday design object, and we're doing research
about comparing different types of chopsticks in China, Japan, Korea and
Vietnam.
Our idea was doing a chopstick related to Malaysia's cultural since some
Malaysians still use chopsticks as a necessary tableware.
Our research questions:
How can the tangible experience of using chopsticks be enhanced to serve
the diverse multicultural needs of Malaysia and resonate with cultural
preferences for lifestyle?
How can the tangible experience of using chopsticks be enhanced to serve
the diverse multicultural needs of Malaysia and resonate with cultural
preferences for lifestyle?
We started the research from the chopstick's origin, cultural and
symbolic (F1.1) use of the chopstick, and then we compared the
chopsticks in different cultures. (F1.2)
Figure 1.1, Chopstick research 1
Figure 1.2, Chopstick research 2
After the research of chopsticks, we began to start our idea sketch of
the chopstick. We came out with several different ideation sketches
(F1.3) which represent Malaysia culture and use for a sourvenirs or
collectibles.
Figure 1.3, Chopstick idea sketches
Final Outcome:
The final outcome defined our reaserch proposal and ideation with clear
objectives and direction.
Task 1 PDF Slide:
TASK 2
The second task is more focuses on data collection to analyze how
cultural elements influence design, using case studies, visual references
and historical research. We're required to interview people based on our
chosen topic and cultural, and refined the sketch based on the task
1.
Data collection:
We collect the chopsticks data surrounding us, and research more
about the historical data, user perspectives (Souvenirs/ Gifts/
Ceremonies) and the details (materials/ shapes/ sizes/ cultural
significance) about the chopsticks.
Figure 1.4, Chopstick Data Collection
Interviews:
We interview some Taylor's Students, Culinary's Students, and the
Tourism's Professor about the opinions on chopsticks.
Figure 1.5, Interviews
Final Idea Sketch:
We choose the Chess Chopstick (F1.7/F1.8) as the final idea and refined
the sketch. In addition, we also create a 3D model printig as a sample to
show people our idea (F1.6).
Figure 1.6, Chess Pieces 3D Modelling (By Hui Xuan)
Figure 1.7, Chess Set Isometric Illustration (By Hui Xuan)
Final Outcome
The final outcome in PDF format with data collection, final idea,
interviews, cultural analysis and design insights.
Task 2 PDF Slide:
TASK 3
For this task basically we need to do a TIKTOK video which content our
ideas, concept, interview. We can do any kind of video depends on our
topic and ideas. We started separate the task before we recorded the
videos through a simple mindmap included what we need to do for the videos
(F1.9).
Figure 1.9, Mindmap of video plan
First Video:
The first video was an introduction to our idea and project. To connect
with our idea, we first made a video about reviewing various chopsticks,
and then the second video was about how the idea of chess chopsticks
came about.
Second Video:
We were filming two people playing chess, and suddenly one of the chess
pieces fell and got stuck on the chopsticks. The idea of chess
chopsticks came from this, so we decided to make a pair of chess
chopsticks that are both functional and aesthetic.
Third & Fourth Video:
The next video will be the interview portion, which we will edit by
splitting it into two videos and adding subtitles and background.
Fifth Video:
This video combines all of our sketches as well as a time-lapse video of
the sketches and 3D modeling to show the process and results.
Sixth Viedo:
After that, I worked on the animation videos turning it into an
advertisement to showcase our ideas to the audience. The animations is
inspiration from the computer chess game, but I change the icons to the
the Malaysia theme which we designed to replace the chess figures (F1.10).
Besides, I also create a simple animation to show how the chess pieces can
combined with the chopstick.
Figure 1.10, Computer Chess Page with Malaysia Icon (By Hui Xuan)
Last Video:
The last video is a reflection video where all members talk about their
observations, findings, and experiences with the project.
Once we are all done editing and recording our videos, we will slowly
start posting them on TikTok and creating a slide for Task 3.
Final Outcome:
The Final Outcome will be a TikTok page and slideshow presentation
record.
TikTok Page Link:
https://www.tiktok.com/@group.516?_t=ZS-8uo1rtztb68&_r=1
Task 3 PDF Slide:
FINAL OUTCOME
Figure 1.11, Chess Chopsticks (By Hui Xuan)
Figure 1.12, Chess Set (By Hui Xuan)
Figure 1.13, Chess Box (By Zane)
III. FEEDBACK
Task 1
General Feedback: Make the chopsticks into just chopsticks, without the
detachable spoon, fork and knife. It is a good idea to incorporate
Malaysian culture into the chopsticks, making a pair of chopsticks that
are more functional, not just a pair of beautiful chopsticks with
Malaysian culture.
Specific Feedback: The decorative head of the chopsticks, which
represents Malaysian culture, can made with detachable and can be used as
chess piece decoration when removed from the top part of the chopsticks,
which is both funtional and aesthetic. The box can also be a chess board
when open it.
Task 2
General Feedback: Create an isomentric illustration for the chess set
with Malaysia motif design to show viewer's the how the collection will
look like.
Specific Feedback: In the future, can consider turning this design into
reality and expand more idea products based on it.
III. REFLECTION
Experience:
This project was a real learning experience, especially as a first-year student. It’s my first time leading a group so I learned a lot about problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills. Through this exploration of significance of chopsticks in Malaysia, and then trying to translate that into a design, was quite the challenge. I believe that experience during the first task in designing sketches helped us to bond and improve our goals and aims as best as we could. This experience had been a valuable insight to understand about culture.
Observations :
This project, undertaken as a first-year student, provided a valuable opportunity to examine the multifaceted role of chopsticks within Malaysian culture. Getting to understand product design is definitely something worth to learn in this project, The observation of chopsticks around my environment, family and friends, helping the interview process, involving chefs, professors, and tourism experts, proved instrumental in understanding the nuanced applications of this utensil.
Findings :
From a design perspective, our interviews highlighted a tension between cultural preservation and functional innovation surrounding chopsticks in Malaysia. Chefs stressed the need for ergonomic improvements to accommodate diverse cuisines, while professors cautioned against designs that might dilute cultural authenticity. Tourism experts, meanwhile, emphasized the potential of chopsticks to become interactive cultural artifacts for visitors. The 'chopstick chess' concept revealed a critical user demand: that even playful designs must retain practical utility. I learned from the best in understanding that design solutions are both culturally resonant and functionally viable
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