INTERCULTURAL DESIGN / PROJECTS

10/01/2023 - 24/02/2023 / Week 1- Week 7

Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995

Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Projects

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

Week 1: Briefing to Module & Group Discussion

During the first week of class, we had an onboarding session with our module's lecturers, Mr. Asrizal & Ms. Anis. They had briefing us on the module details as well as the assessment plan. We also assigned groups on the day.

Week 2: Group Discussion & Research on Topics

This week, we were going to research on the topics that we want to explore.

Week 3: Chinese New Year Holiday

No class!

Week 4: Proposal Presentation

The task for the class of the week is to propose our ideas. Each group will only be given 10 minutes to present.

Week 5: Data Collection Week - Japan Field Trip

6-day 5 night educational trip to Tokyo, Japan ongoing. 

 

Week 6: Analyse Collected Artefacts Session

We were required to bring all of the collected artefacts during the data collection in Japan and have a session to analyse the collected artefacts and use them towards our final output.

 

Week 7: Data Compilation & Preparation for Final Presentation

Each group prepares their own physical or immaterial outcome for this module. Students were also required to create a poster for presentation in A1 size.

Week 8: Final Project Presentation Week

In the last week of this short sem, each group will be given 10 minutes to present on our final project.

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PROJECTS

Task 1: Project 1 - Proposal 

We have our first group meeting via Zoom to have a discussion and generate ideas for the Japanese cultures that we want to work on. In our group discussion, we presented a wide range of intriguing ideas which we then gradually distilled down to three. They are:

1. Shodō (Japanese Calligraphy)
2. Koinobori (Fish Flags)
3. Wagasa (Paper Umbrella)
4. Kimono (Traditional Garment)
5. Hashioki (Chopstick Holders) 
6. Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony)

As there were six of us in our group, we decided to split up into pairs for each topic. So, we came up with three topics which are Japanese Calligraphy, Kimono and Chopstick Holder for our proposal. 

Figure 1.1 Task Assignment Table

After the task is assigned, we started to work on the topic proposal slides following the design system.

Figure 1.2 Design System Table

Figure 1.3 First Draft of Proposal Slides in PDF Format

Following a consultation and feedback session with Mr. Arizal, he recommended that we should scrape both ideas for the chopstick holder and the kimono. As he mentioned, we ought to have done more extensive research on our chosen topic, Japanese calligraphy.

Figure 1.4 Feedback from Mr. Asrizal

Japanese calligraphy, also known as Shodo is a traditional art form of Japan that involves using a brush and ink to write kanji (Chinese Characters) and kana (Japanese Syllabic Characters) on paper or silk. It is considered a high art form and is practiced by many Japanese people as a hobby or a form of meditation.

Hence, here is the final submission for the proposal topic slide. We also came up with three rough ideas from Japanese Calligraphy to drive us in the right direction for this project. They are blind boxes, greeting cards application and Instagram filters effect.

Figure 1.5 Final Proposal Presentation Slides in PDF Format

Feedback given from the lecturer:

• Making Instagram filters is a great idea. But it is not suitable for us at this stage.

• For the calligraphy, instead of concentrating on sans-serif and serif fonts and determining which is more appropriate to utilise for various design concepts, we might want to take a closer look at freeflow calligraphy because it is more intriguing. The ideas we have for postcard templates can then be used with it.

Task 2: Project 2 - Data Collection

Before heading to Japan, we also discussed the places we would like to visit in Japan to collect some data. So below are some places that we have visited in Tokyo to collect the necessary information for our project.

• Sensō-ji Temple (📍Asakusa)

Sensoji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple, is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the oldest and most significant temples in Tokyo, with a history dating back to the 7th century. Today, Sensoji Temple is a popular tourist attraction and pilgrimage site. Visitors enter through the Kaminarimon Gate, which features a large red lantern and a statue of the god of thunder. The Nakamise-dori shopping street leading up to the temple is lined with vendors selling traditional Japanese souvenirs and snacks.

On our second day in Japan, we benefited a lot from the first stop, Sensoji Temple as well as along the streets and cities discovery. In Japan, calligraphy is widely practiced and is often used for artistic and decorative purposes. So, calligraphy can be seen everywhere, such as shop signs, brochures, posters and even packaging. Their unique and expressive style of writing is different from the formal and proper way of traditional calligraphy. This is also the source of inspiration and decision for us to work on the free-flow calligraphy style. Besides the Calligraphy observation, as we travelled along the roads, and walked past the street stalls and traditional temples, we discovered patterns and designs on the packaging and postcard designs, also the manhole as well, which inspired us to implement their culture into our final project that uniquely portrayed the visual culture of Japan.

Figure 2.1.1

Figure 2.1.2

Figure 2.1.3

Figure 2.1.4

• Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple (📍Ueno)

Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Ueno, Tokyo. The temple is dedicated to Marishiten, a deity associated with wealth, beauty, and victory, and is also known as Marishiten Temple. The temple is also known for its beautiful garden, which features several varieties of trees and plants. The garden is especially popular during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season in fall.

There is a banner (Figure 2.2.1) that caught our attention at the train station while we were heading to the Taito City Calligraphy Museum. So we made the decision to drop by and see whether we could benefit from it. Interestingly enough, the Omikuji (Figure 2.2.5) we saw in there served as our primary source of inspiration for our final project. I think it was probably the greatest decision we made on that day.

Figure 2.2.1 The poster of Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple

Figure 2.2.2 Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple

Figure 2.2.3 Japanese Ema (Wishing Plaques)

Figure 2.2.4 Patterns & Elements Collection

Figure 2.2.5 Packaging of the Omikuji

Figure 2.2.6 Pattern of the Manhole

Figure 2.2.7 Manhole Pattern

• Taitō City Calligraphy Museum (📍Negishi)

The Taito City Calligraphy Museum, also known as the Taito Shodo Museum, is a museum dedicated to the art of Japanese calligraphy. It is located in Taito City, Tokyo, Japan. The museum features a collection of over 15,000 works of calligraphy, including masterpieces by renowned calligraphers such as Wang Xizhi, Miyamoto Musashi, and Zen priest Yinyuan Longqi.

Here, our group is split into two to complete the data gathering in order to save time. One group visited the museum to have observation, while the rest got some inspiration from some relevant books on sale in the sales department.

Figure 2.3.1

Figure 2.3.2

Figure 2.3.3

Figure 2.3.4

Figure 2.3.5

Figure 2.3.6

When we came back, we also started to gather all of the data we have collected and put it into the slides.

Figure 2.4 Data Collection Slides in PDF Format

Feedback given from the lecturer:

We can just make our final outcome physical rather than creating an app because we have brought back some tangible items that we are eager to draw inspiration from. We may take into account concepts like Japan Gacha or any other structures that can bring out the aim of our research.

Task 3: Final Project - Final Outcome

We ultimately chose to combine the Japanese Gashapon with the Omikuji after taking into consideration our research objectives and the lecturer's advice.

Figure 3.1 Discussion Notes

Gacha
Gachapon is a type of vending machine in Japan that dispenses small toys, figures, and other collectible items. The name "gachapon" comes from the sound the machine makes when turning the crank to dispense the capsule that contains some fun treats inside it.

The toys and figures that come out of gachapon machines are often based on popular anime, manga, and video game franchises, as well as other cute and colorful characters. Some gachapon machines also offer a chance to win rare or limited-edition items, which can be highly sought after by collectors.

Gachapon machines are found all over Japan, in places such as arcades, shopping centers, and train stations. They are a popular form of entertainment for both children and adults, and many people enjoy collecting and trading the toys and figures they receive from gachapon machines.

Omikuji

Omikuji is a type of fortune-telling in Japan that involves drawing a slip of paper with a written fortune or prophecy. It is a common practice at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout the country.

Omikuji fortunes can range from very good to very bad, with variations in between. They may predict success in love, business, or health, or warn of upcoming challenges or obstacles. Some omikuji fortunes also offer advice or suggest specific actions that the visitor should take.

Omikuji is a popular practice in Japan. It is seen as a way to seek guidance and inspiration, and to connect with the spiritual realm.

We decided to return to school one day to complete the assignment jointly. Some of them are in charge of the Omikuji's design, using free-flow calligraphy as the font, while others are in charge of the production of the machine.

Here are some photos of the making process:

Figure 3.2.1 Measurements of the Gachapon Machine

Figure 3.2.2 Designing the Outer Sleeve using Adobe Illustrator

Figure 3.3.1 Final Outer Sleeve Designs

Figure 3.3.2 Final Inner Omikuji Contents 

Figure 3.4.1 Process

Figure 3.4.2 Process

Figure 3.4.3 Process

Figure 3.4.4 Process

Figure 3.4.5 Process

Figure 3.4.6 Example of the Outer Sleeve

Figure 3.5 Final Outcome for the Omikuji Gachapon

Figure 3.6 Demo Video

For posters, we don't have a specific task distribution, but we work together to complete it.

Figure 3.7 Colour Theme decided to use

Figure 3.8.1 Layout Draft

Figure 3.8.2 Initial Draft

Figure 3.8.3 Make Some Changes

Figure 3.8.4 The outcome of the Poster

Feedback given from the lecturer:

We should enhance the poster by including more contents of the gatcha box. The images of the fortune slips in the poster should be bigger and the font size can be smaller instead. Also, group members' names can be written at the bottom of the poster in just one line.

So we made some changes to the poster to make it look perfect.

Figure 3.9 Final Submission in JPEG Format

Figure 3.10 Final Submission Poster in PDF Format