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Intercultural Design/Final Compilation

5/2/2024 - 29/3/2024 / Week  1 - Week 7
Janice Marie Eng Chia Hui  / 0361521
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media / Taylor's University 
Final Compilation & Reflection

Final Compilation & Reflection

Instructions

Project 1: Proposal (5/2/24 - 26/2/24)

To-do list:

  • Form groups of a maximum of 6
  • Members propose a few different ideas
  • Do some general research on the topic of 'Cultural Sensitivity in Design' and find 3 topics to focus on
  • Come up with a 200-word rationale for each topic
The first physical class held was on week 2 due to the CNY holidays. There, we were asked to form groups of six based on the requirements put forth by the lectures. My group consisted of:
  • Cathy (Teh Ming En)
  • Joanna (Tang Chin Ting)
  • Joey Lok
  • Siang Huey Yee
  • Vanessa Kei
  • Me lol 

Pooling Ideas In

After we had decided on our group, we found an empty class and sat down to discuss what topic we wished to do. The topics were compiled based on our preliminary research. The topic was then compiled into a document for easy access and later shown to the lecture for feedback. 

Figure 1.1 Screenshot of some ideas proposed (19/2/24)

Task Delegation

After getting some feedback from the lectures, we decided to choose the topic 'Dragon Symbolism in the East and the West' as our topic. From there, we split the research into sections and delegated the task. I helped with the research on Eastern Dragons. 

The information was compiled into a Google doc first for easy viewing. After all the information was compiled we opened our trusty friend Canva and started making the slides. 

Figure 1.2 Task delegation from whatsapp (19/2/24)

Figure 1.3 Completed Research document (22/2/24)

Recorded Presentation

We were then required to record a presentation of our proposal, with a maximum time limit of 10 mins. Zoom was chosen as our platform for the presentation. I was chosen as the person to control the slides for the presentation. Terrible idea, I am a boomer when it comes to Zoom, and I cannot use that application for the life of me. 

Final Slides & Presentation



Figure 1.4 Final Video Presentation (25/2/24)

Project 2: Field Study (27/2/24 - 7/3/24)

To-do list:

  • Carry out research on dragons via observation study/interview/visual research
The first week of this project was used to do research on general information. During the second week of this assignment, we were informed about our chosen topic and carried out the research.

Task Delegation

After getting our assigned supervisor, Ms Anis, we finally properly split the tasks and assigned work.

Figure 2.1 Task delegation for project 2 (3/3/24)

Data Collection 

Our data collection methods consisted of 3 options
  • Site visit: Visiting Chinese temples to observe the decorational dragon architecture 
  • Online visual analysis: Visually analyse Western and Eastern artefacts that have dragon motifs
  • Google online survey: Collecting the public opinion on dragon symbolism and what is the preferred dragon design.
I was tasked with coming up with the Research ques and Obj, Google survey and Eastern Dragon online visual analysis. The information was typed directly into the slides due to time constraints. After drafting and getting approval from my groupmates, the form was released to the public. 

While waiting for the response from Google Forms, I carried out some additional visual analysis on Eastern dragons after getting some feedback from the lecturer. Information for the visual analysis was obtained from Google Arts and Culture through their online museum exhibitions.

Figure 2.2 Google From draft (6/3/24)

Figure 2.3 Screenshot of Google form (7/3/24)


A total of 45 responses were collected from the Google forms. After obtaining the responses, I carried out the data interpretation. Additionally, a smaller key points table was added at the end of the slides, to sum up our findings. 

Final Field Study Data
Figure 2.4 Field Study Slides (11/3/24)

Final Project (7/3/24 - 29/3/24)

To-do list:
  • Come up with the shirt design
  • Come up with the zine art direction and layout
  • Take the photos for the shirt 
  • Edit the designs onto the photos
  • Finalize the zine
  • Presentation
For the final product, we decided to follow Ms Anis advice and do a fashion zine with dragon theme crop-tops designed by us. 

Task Delegation

We decided to have each group member design a shirt first so we would have enough designs to put into the zine.

Following that, we split the task into 2 teams the magazine/zine design team and the photography/editing team. A short timeline was also set to ensure we could finish the project on time.

After finding out that I would be editing the designs onto the pictures, I decided to do a small test run to see if I could actually do it. I went and watched a short tutorial on how to do it online before actually attempting it. 

Figure 3.1 All the shirt designs (27/3/24)

Figure 3.2 Task delegation + Timeline for Final Project (19/3/23)

Figure 3.3 Testing out my editing capabilities (19/3/23)

Photoshoot

It was decided that the photoshoot date would be on the 16th of March (Sat) as we wanted to complete the final product before the deadline. Below are the details of the photoshoot:
  • Time: 8.30am
  • Date: 16th March (Saturday)
  • Location: Stairs next to the lake (the stairs near Typography class) 
  • People: Joey(camera), Huey Yee(model/camera), Vanessa(model/camera), Me(model/camera)
After the date was decided, I quickly dug through my wardrobe to find suitable clothes to wear. I was unfortunately late to the shoot as I overslept;-;. But we managed to shoot all the shots needed for the project before lunchtime. 

Editing

Photos
After the pictures were uploaded, me and Vanessa split the work and started editing. It was a struggle editing the pictures and I did not really like the final outcome but I had no idea what else to do with the pictures. I tried my best with what Photoshop skills I had and handed in the edited photos. Edited pictures can be seen in the zine.

Figure 3.4 Some of the editing process (18/3/24)

Figure 3.5 Some before and after of the edited pics(19/3/24)

Magazine
I was not in the zine-making team so I just stalked the Canva page a lot. I decided at the start to not interfere with the art direction of the team as I did not want to mess up their creative process. 

The magazine was then uploaded into a PDF to flipbook website and made into a flipbook. 

Figure 3.6 Zine layout as of 20/3/24

Presentation

We were to record a final presentation for our final output. We decided to film it on the 24th of March a Sunday. After finishing up the presentation slides, it was decided that everyone would present. We split up the presentation and assigned a time to each of the members. The recording was done through Zoom yet again. After that, I edited the video in Premiur Pro. 

However, on Monday (25th March), after getting the update requirements for the slides from the lecturers, we found out that we were missing some content in the slide. We re-edited the slides and refilmed the additional content. I then edited the additional content into the existing presentation. 


Figure 3.7 Task delegation for presentation (22/3/24)

Final Output

Figure 3.9 Final Magazine Layout (PDF) (22/3/24)
FINAL PROJECT (Group 24) by Janice Eng

Figure 3.10 Final Project Presentation Video(24/3/24)

Feedback

Week  3
  • Come up with 3 sketches for your project output. The 3 sketches combo can be for example: 1 rationale + 3 sketches or 3 rationale + 1 sketch each, and vice versa. The context must be based on the project brief and theme.

Week  4
  • You can proceed with data collection for 3 topics first, then we will narrow it down for final output to just 1.

Week 5: 
  • Good find. it would be great too if you could add depiction of dragons in other parts of Eastern culture (you can extract this from online info such as https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythic-creatures/dragons/asian-dragons).
  • based on your current compilation, it seems that you can sort of start thinking what are the design for the merchandise that you want to create. I suppose, you can base this on your target viewers as well, as younger people may have different expectations compared to older ones. perhaps concentrate more on streetwear that depicts dragons and portrays design sensitivity from that aspect? casual wear, but still present the proud, powerful nature of dragons?
  • since your group already decided to create a shirt design with dragon motifs, you can now sketch out the look + motifs to go with the shirt as well. perhaps you can also target a specific fashion trend (i.e. crop top feels like the 90s right? while the onesies feel more like the cutesy type) for the output. but i leave that to you to decide, as long you provide a rationale for your decision. good job!

Week 6:
  • you can take a picture of yourself wearing a blank t-shirt and then photoshop the design on top of it. give that one a try
  • Try to make the fonts in the magazine consistent 
  • Don't include a large body of text in the magazine 

Reflection

Experience
The assignments in this module have very few restrictions. Aside from the supervisors providing some constructive criticism for the final output, we were given creative freedom. It was nice to be provided with legroom to design anything we wanted as long as it fits the brief. My experience with my group was also pleasant. They were willing to do the work or task assigned to them. I also gained some extra Photoshop skills from all the crappy editing I did for the project.

Observations
I have observed that splitting down the tasks and delegating them is a very efficient way to make sure the group work is done. The members not only have a lesser workload but also are more willing to complete the work. They also worked well when they knew what should be done or researched for their part. I also observed that sometimes it is important to let others decide the art direction to avoid any miscommunications. Overall, I am thankful to have my group members.

Findings
Overall, I have learned more about dragons from this module than I had before. It also taught me about some customs of different cultures. It was an interesting read. Following that, this is my first time being a group leader. It was an experience. I am not too sure if I managed to execute the project well. But I have learned some valuable skills from it. Again, big thanks to my groupmates for putting up with me. 

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