Intercultural Design | Projects: Everyday Design
7/2/25 - 24/3/25 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Kimberly Miaw Jya Nee | 0366836
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Intercultural Design
Projects: Everyday Design
[Table of Contents]
1.
Lectures
2.
Instructions
3.
Process Work
4.
Feedback
5.
Reflection
[Lectures]
Week 1 (7/2/25)
01 Culture & Design
We live in a visual information culture. Visuals are powerful persuasive
medium to provide most of our information bout the world.
40% of people respond more to visuals than to text
90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual
Visuals are processed 60,000x times faster in the brain than text
Visuals are...
1. Everything that can be seen
- Wide definition, all-inclusive including nature (but nature is not culture) unless there's meaning & representation attached to it.
2. Everything produced / created by humans that can be seen
- Produced / created by human for the purpose of visual representations that has functions, content, communicative purposes
Designers need to be aware of:
1. Cultural nuances
2. Symbolism
3. Context
To create designs that are inclusive and resonate with diverse audiences.
Design Significance
- Able to identify the social, cultural & political sphere where the design elements reside
- By understanding the significance of the graphics in its cultural studies, philosophy, sociology & origin history
Fig. 1. Design System Sphere
Fig. 2. Design System Pyramid
Cultural sensitivity in design goes beyond aesthetics, it also
encompasses:
1. Functionality
2. Usability
3. User Experience
Design Sensitivity
1. Culture Sensitivity Awareness
(a) Symbolism and Imagery
- Certain symbols / images may carry different meanings in different cultures
- Be mindful of potential cultural interpretations to avoid unintentional misunderstandings / offence
(b) Colour Considerations
- Colours can have cultural significance
- Meanings may vary across societies
- Understanding the cultural association of colours can help designers make appropriate choices
(c) Typography & Language
- Choosing font and text styles that are culturally appropriate is important
- Considering language variations & ensuring accurate translations is crucial for reaching diverse audiences
2. Addressing Culture Sensitivity
(a) Inclusive Design
- Strive to create products & experiences that are accessible and inclusive for people across various cultural backgrounds, different abilities & needs
(b) User Research
- Conduct thorough user research (ethnographic studies & diverse groups of user testing)
- Helps designers gain insights into cultural preferences & behaviours
(c) Localization
- Adapt designs to specific cultural contexts
- Can enhance the relevance & acceptance of a product / service
(d) Cultural Awareness Training
- To develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives & sensitivities
[Instructions]
[Process Work]
Theme: Everyday Design
Project 1: Proposal (30%)
3/2/25 - 17/2/25 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Project 2: Field Study (30%)
24/2/25 - 3/3/25 (Week 4 - Week 5)
Project 3: Final Project & Portfolio (40%)
10/3/25 - (Week 6 - Week 7)
Our
TikTok Account:
@clndarchive
Take a look at our calendar here
[Feedback]
Week 1 (7/2/25)
Module and Task 1 briefing. All our projects for Intercultural Design are
continuous and grouped. This week, we started to find a list of topics to
focus on as a group.
Week 2 (14/2/25)
Finally chosen a topic. We started our research on calendars, and came
up with 3 preliminary ideas + sketches.
Week 3 (21/2/25)
[Project 1 Submission Week] Topic approved by Mr Asrizal. We continued
to work further into our proposal and submitted it on time.
Week 4 (28/2/25)
No physical / online classes this week to do our Project 2: Field
Study on our chosen topic. We have chosen 3 methods to conduct out
field study: online research, google form survey, and field trip for
maximum understanding.
Week 5 (7/3/25)
[Project 2 Submission Week] Started doing Google Forms survey for Sabah.
We also went for a field trip to Melaka on 5/3/25 (Wednesday). This week
is mainly collecting data and summarising them into our Canva
presentation slides.
Week 6 (14/3/25)
No physical / online classes this week. Started discussion for final
task. We have decided to work on 3 months of calendar (February, May ,
August). This week, we have began drawing out the illustrations for
daily pages.
Week 7 (21/3/25)
[Project 3 Submission Week] No physical / online classes this week. This week, we mainly worked on
our TikTok account and finalising our presentation.
[Reflection]
Experience
Overall, I found this module fun and exciting, but it definitely required
a lot of determination. There were many factors to consider and thorough
research to be done before making any decisions. Since this module focused
on merging culture with design, it was important for us to truly
understand the cultural elements we were incorporating to ensure accurate
and respectful representation.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was definitely time. Since this was
a short semester, we only had about a week to complete each project. The
final project was especially intense as we had to design the calendar,
plan and write scripts, and film content for our TikTok account all at
once. In the end, we could only complete three months instead of six to
twelve, which would have been ideal. While it wasn’t rushed in the sense
of cutting corners, we had to work fast and make quick decisions. Despite
the pressure, we’re really proud of what we accomplished. Seeing our ideas
come to life made the sleepless nights worth it. Huge credit goes to my
group members as we pushed through together, no matter the time.
Observation
Design is deeply intertwined with culture, whether consciously or
unconsciously. It not only reflects traditions but also helps shape how
a culture is perceived and remembered. Through this project, I realized
how much cultural knowledge is embedded in design choices, from motifs
to colour palettes. As a Sino-native, I gained a deeper appreciation for
my own heritage while doing research for the final calendar.
One of the most interesting observations came from our TikTok videos.
The video showcasing our fusion of Indian, Malay, and Indigenous
elements into the traditional Chinese calendar received significantly
more views and engagement compared to our other posts. This led me to
believe that that cultural integration in design not only sparks
curiosity but also resonates with a wider audience, which makes
traditions feel more relevant and appreciated in a modern context.
Findings
My understanding of cultural design has deepened throughout this project.
To create a design that truly represents a culture, we had to immerse
ourselves in its traditions and values.
This experience has also strengthened my research skills, as I had to
explore and analyze information in greater depth. It has changed the way I
approach design, making me more aware of cultural nuances, symbolism, and
the importance of context. Cultural sensitivity is essential in ensuring
that a design is both respectful and meaningful.
If we had more time, I would have loved to complete the remaining calendar
months. However, I wouldn’t change anything else, as I personally believe
our work meets our standards and reflects the effort we put into it.
[Further Reading]
Fig. 3. Designing
for Social Change:
Strategies for Community-Based Graphic Design by Andrea Shea
Designing for Social Change:
Strategies for Community-Based Graphic Design
Thank You
