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Intercultural Design: Compilation

10th January - 1st March 2023 / Week 1 - 8
Alana Sofia Othman / 0353451 / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design
Project Compilation
LECTURES
INSTRUCTIONS
Project 1: Proposal
3 Topic Ideas
Topic Idea Brainstorming
Figure 1.1. Topic Votes
Attachment 1.1. Quick Topic Research
Since my group was going on the Japan trip, we began with random topic idea dumps of Japanese visual culture that we know of. We ruled out the Sakura Festival topic since we realised it would not be in season during week 5 for our data collection week. We voted on topics we felt had the most potential. Then proceeded to do quick research for about an hour or so on them to figure out a direction for each topic, as seen in Attachment 1.1.. From this, we realised pretty quickly that we were not so keen on the packaging idea and were not sure where to go with it, so we then decided to switch it to Harajuku fashion.

Topic Research
Research
Attachment 2.1. Secondary Research
We split into pairs to work on the different topics:
Sweets - Jiamin & Janaan
Origami - Sofia & Ellyn
Harajuku - Rachel & Reenah

The idea was to do as much research we could to have a full understanding of our topic. We followed the design system structure as taught in class

Proposal
Attachment 2.2. Draft Proposals
Attachment 2.3. Proposal Progression (Week 2)
Once we completed our research and had a grasp of our topics, we moved onto the proposal drafts by writing the rationales, research problems, questions & objectives. We were informed to compile everything into a deck for consultation progression check.

Final Outcome
Canva Link: Here
Attachment 3.1. Final Proposal Slides
Project 2: Data Collection
Post Project 1 Presentation
Revisioning Final Project Idea - Wagashi
Figure 2.1. Final Project Idea Change
As a group, we chose to push forward the Wagashi topic as we were all most keen with the Wagashi game idea. However, after presenting our proposal for Project 1, we were advised against producing a game as our final project due to the time constraints of a short semester. During a walk from Block E to Syopz, Ellyn and I were able to come up with a new idea— A Tokyo Wagashi Guide. We then suggested it to the group and once all the members agreed to it, Ellyn made a quick moodboard and got the green light from Ms Anis.

Wagashi Primary Data Collection
Tokyo Trip
Blogger Link: Here
We did our data collection on Wagashi around Tokyo. We spent alot of money and took alot of photos for our scrapbook. Once we got back to Malaysia, we immediately started compiling everything in our Data Collection Slides

Final Outcome
Canva Link: Here
Attachment 4.1. Final Data Collection Slides

Final Project
Pre-Production
Task Delegation
Art Direction & Editors:
- Sofia & Ellyn (helps out with layouts)

Layout & Illustrations:
- Jia Min (layout)
- Janaan (illustrations but helps with layouts)

Photo editing:
- Rachel & Reenah

A1 Presentation Board:
- Sofia & Ellyn

Presentation:
- Janaan & Jia Min, Reenah (physical)
- Sofia, Ellyn, Rachel (online)

Work Timeline
- Art Direction (15/2, Weds)
- Photo Editing 60% complete (18/2, Sat)
- Layout 80% complete (21/2, Tues)
- Finalise final outcome (24/2, Fri OR 25/2, Sat)
- Presentation Board complete (26/2, Mon 12pm)
Art Direction
Canva Link: Here
Attachment 5.1. Art Direction

Production Progress
Layout Progression
Attachment 6.1. Layout Progression 1 (Week 7)

Attachment 6.2. Layout Progression 2 (Week 7)

Attachment 6.3. Layout Progression 3 (Week 7)

Attachment 6.4. Layout Progression 4 (Week 7)
Janaan and Jia Min shared their layout progress (Layout Progression 1) with the group during our meeting on discord. Ellyn and I gave some feedback and made some edits, changes can be seen in Layout Progression 2.

Group's Discussion on Layout Progression 1 Notes:
- Edit colours of the photos. Give the images more emotion
- [Photo Edit Inspo added into Art Direction]
- Leave some space for our personal review face icons
- Work in spreads because when we flip a book open its 2 pages
- [Border boxes were made] Text should not go outside of it
- Keep fonts and line spacing the same size:
    • Store Names -18pt
    • Wagashi Names -13pt
    • Body Text -10pt
    • Line spacings -1.2

In Layout Progression 3, I began to make edits to the layouts that Jia Min had completed. I seperated each content into one spread instead of squeezing everything into one page. This allowed more breathing space for everything, making it easier on the eyes. I also filled in the simple pages for why minato, introduction and about us. As for the zine title, Jia Min came up with a few ideas and upon minor adjustments, the group voted for 'Keeping Up with Tokyo's Wagashi: A Wagashi Mini Tour'. Everyone agreed that it sounded the most fun, cute and quirky out of all the other options.

Layout Progression 4 is mostly image changes as the photo editors were done with the edits. Ellyn also suggested to change the polaroid frames to paper cut out frames to stay within the scrapbook feel. Since Janaan was complete with the front cover and gave two options, the group voted and agreed that the second cover option (with the wagashi) was cuter.

Once Jia Min finished the Minato layouts, Ellyn then could make edits to the pages (since we split the editing work between the two of us), finished up the summary and wagashi collection as well as added more decoration to give it more of a scrapbook feel. She also suggested to change 'Our Reviews' to 'Overall Rating' so that we rated each shop instead of each wagashi we ate. This would cut down the amount of emoji faces were used in each spread as well as provide somewhat of a whole summary of the shop. We then realised we forgot about a back cover and so I quickly did a simple looking one with the use of the wagashi's that Jia Min drew for Project 1: Proposal.

Post Production
Finalising the Zine
Figure 3.1. Binding Options
Since we were working in Canva for our layout, as it speeds up work progress since everyone can work on it at the same time together easily, we had to export it and manually split the spread into pages, which was done by Ellyn. She also then uploaded it to a website where viewers can flip through the zine just like a physical copy. She gave us two choices for the book binding. Although everyone was keen on the loose-leaf binding since it further continues the scrapbook feel we want, we were mostly worried about it affecting our text/images but once Ellyn uploaded it and tested it, everyone gave the green light. However, we did find out that the website does not scale down the binding when it is viewed on a smaller screen, so don't view it on a small screen.

Presentation Board
Attachment 7.1. Layout Options (Week 7)

Attachment 7.2. Final Layout Options (Week 8)
I worked on the layout and information for the presentation board while Ellyn made the design edits and filled in the images. Once Ellyn was done with it, she sent two options to the group to choose. Majority voted on the horizontal layout.

Final Outcome
Keeping Up with Tokyo's Wagashi: A Wagashi Mini Tour
Flip Book Link: here
Attachment 8.1. Final Zine PDF

Figure 4.1. Final A1 Presentation Board
FEEDBACK
Project 1: Proposal
Week 2 - Topic Research
Proposal Progression
- Good research, well done
- You can start devising what data to gather and how to access them
- Topic 1 is interesting, suggest to add in another observation - seasonal confectionary, and explore also the modern adaptation like chocolates i.e. Kit Kat for every season, occasions etc. Then you will have more room to explore

Project 1: Proposal
Week 4 - Final Outcome
Proposal Slides (Presentation)
- It would be extremely boring if we were to do an advertisement for the game (image stills, animated video, etc.) without having a prototype
- A game prototype will take too long and we do not have enough time. There are many things to consider with design animations, game storyline, progression, etc.
- We can change topics or come up with a new idea but preferably before leaving for Tokyo as it would help us be more efficient with data collection

Project 2: Data Collection
Week 6
Data Collection Slides (Progression)
- Good data collection, well organised and straight to the point
- Come up with a quirky and personal layout
- Since there is a time crunch, we can look at canva layouts and tailor it to be our own
REFLECTION
Experience
This module was enjoyable as it allowed us to explore and create with very few restrictions. It allowed us the freedom to think creatively and apply what we have already learnt in previous modules into one continuous assignment. Group projects can often be tough to work on as it depends on the wavelength and work mode you and your groupmates are on. I was extremely lucky to have found a group that worked well together. Working with them made this module even more enjoyable.
Observations
I always dread working in a group on creative projects as it can be very hard when they have different ideas/work styles. This project showed me that it is possible to find people who are on the same wavelength as I am. I always knew how important research is when it comes to designing but working on this project allowed me a better understanding of how my research can actually turn into or become an outcome and not just help me reach an outcome.
Findings
Although I admire Japan and its strong culture, I never knew much about it. From this module, I was able to learn more about Japan's culture, not just from working on my own project but from other group's projects too. Other than that, since this semester was two modules that were group assignments, and I was group leader for my Information Design group, I learnt alot from my group leader for this module. Ellyn showed me how a good, supportive and organised leader should be and I tried to replicate some of her behaviour with my Information Design group.
FURTHER READING
Daniel (n.d.) Shogunate Japan: A Historical Adventure [Online] danielhumanities. Available at: https://danielhumanities.weebly.com/origami.html 
Dean (2019) How Important is Origami to Japanese Culture? [Online] superprof. Available at: https://www.superprof.com.my/blog/japanese-culture-embraces-origami/ 
Dean (2020) The Clever Symbolism Hidden in Origami Folds [Online] superprof. Available at: https://www.superprof.com.my/blog/meaning-of-origami/ 
Kanert, M. (2019) The History of Origami [Online] All About Japan. Available at: https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/4425/
Newton, L. (2009) The power of origami [Online] Plus Magazine. Available at: https://plus.maths.org/content/power-origami 
Origami Resource Center (n.d. a) History of Origami [Online] Available at: https://origami-resource-center.com/history-of-origami/ 
Origami Resource Center (n.d. b) Types of Origami [Online] Available at: https://origami-resource-center.com/types-of-origami/ 
Skill Share (2022) Origami Animals and Their Meanings [Online] https://www.skillshare.com/en/blog/origami-animals-and-their-meanings/  
Tatsu fold (n.d.) Tatsu [PDF] Available at: http://www.fishgoth.com/origami/diagrams/tatsu.pdf 
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