Intercultural Design

10.01.2023 - 24.02.2023 ( week 01 - week 07 )
Len Hoi Yee / 0353430
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media

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Instruction

Introduction

Fig 1.1 Introduction 

Designers have to be vigilant with their artworks, and this takes more than just skills, intuition, and creativity. Research is needed to be done before starting an artwork or a design. 

With research, we are able to gather more data and process them into crucial information needed to kickstart your workflow. 

Fig 1.2 Comparison of tattoo culture 

Above is the comparison of tattoo culture between the sailors and the Japanese. 

Fig 1.3 Design System

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Proposal 

First Proposal

In the first proposal, we have come up with 3 different ideas as we were assigned to do so. Our main theme is wedding culture, and we planned to discuss about the wedding culture of 3 different races. 

Final Proposal 

Then, after a few discussions among the group and the approval of lecturers, we decided to focus on Songket culture. We had to come up with 3 different ideas to showcase our topic.

Data Collection

In week 5, we have decided to execute 4 different ways of collecting data for our final project. We were all divided into pairs to carry out the method of data collection.:

• Museum Visit
• Watch Documentaries
• Field visit and Research 
• Google Form Survey: Google Form link

Here are some pictures during the research: 

The pictures on the left are an example of how hand-woven Songket were made back in the day, now it has changed to machine-made instead of hand-made due to convenience and time-saving. On the right are some examples of Songket displayed in the museum. 

Field Visit 

Here, we were at Y.S. Tailoring Sdn Bhd having a short interview with the owner, discussing about Songket. Thankfully, the owner of the shop was very kind towards us and talked nicely to us. She told us about how expensive a Songket could get if it is hand-woven, it could go up to a thousand ringgit depending on the design. Right now, mostly, people wear Songket on important occasions and also the patterns on it are simply appealing and there is no definite meaning to it. 

We have also visited Jaker Mall where they sell all different kinds of batik cloths. We have some sales assistants showed us their Songket pattern and we got to know that theirs are machine-made either, well, looks like it is really hard to find hand-woven nowadays anymore. If machine-woven ones are this fascinating, I would be mesmerised by the Hand-woven Songket if I could ever see one. 

Here is a picture of Group 4 with the owner holding the Songket cloth that she sells in her shop. Each piece has its own uniqueness and beauty, although the Songket she has is machine-made. We definitely learnt a lot from the short interview we had with her. 

Link to all the pictures taken: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-Eb5v88V1ssfBdAx_WrRsHYe5m3ekh9O?usp=share_link

Data Collection PPT

Pattern making 

For our final project, we have decided to go on with the immersive projection idea, where we design a few motif patterns and project it on a white screen and have the patterns projected on the models. For my part, I have taken up a design that involves animal in it. 

So I have searched for birds on Songket as I noticed the birds on Songket look really pretty and elegant. Since the peacock is the Queen of birds, I wanted to make it look as feminine as possible.  

My Motif Pattern 

Animation 

As mentioned, we will be designing 6 different motif pattern and compiling them together after animating them. I was assigned to animate this pattern designed by Carmen Chua. I have chosen one of the design to animate. 

Final Outcome

Final Project 

Final Poster

Immersive Projection trailer: Immersive Projection trailer

Final Projection: Final Projection

Feedback

Week 01 (10/01/2023)

Mr.Asrizal: For the wedding dress idea, we can make comparisons between different cultures, for the art style, as one is a film and one is a cartoon, is hard to make comparisons, unless finding out one film which has similar messages to comics. 

Ms.Anis: Can try to combine different cultures' wedding gowns design, for example, the motifs on the dresses. Do more research on it, and don't come out with the final outcome first, because sometimes during research you might find out a more decent and fun way to present that kind of culture.

Week 02 (17/01/2023)

Ms.Anis: Do more research first, then see what you can do based on the research. Break down the ideas according to the design system.

Week 04 (31/01/2023)

Prefer the 1st idea (immersive projection) and 4th idea (animated poster, the one with the radiation). Overall done quite well. Move on to the decision-making, data collection, and technical research. If want to do the immersive projection can just use the normal projector.

Reflection

This module has given me a chance to better understand and dig deeper into the Malay culture. Honestly, I feel the historical heritage should be preserved and promoted as much as it could be so it will not be forgotten as it has priceless value. Therefore, in this project our group wanted to explore more about Songket and promote ways to preserve it. In our findings, we have come to understand and explore a lot about Songket during this trip. Even though the motifs may look confusing sometimes, but if you look carefully, they look unique. While drawing the peacock, I could already imagine how it will turn out to be. The animation done by my groupmates was impressive as well. I was completely lost while following the tutorial while working on the animation I was in charge of. I had no idea what I was doing, and it took me some time to figure it out. Thank god it turned out perfectly. It was way out of my capability as it was a new thing for me to learn. I guess this is what this module wants us to achieve at the end of the semester, I got to pick up a new skill that will benefit me next time and I got to understand more about the Malay culture. Although I did not get to join the Japan trip but it was definitely not a loss, looking at our final project, I am more than satisfied. 

Aside the project, it was a great opportunity to work with Group 4, as everyone was very involved and responsible as part of the group. We cooperated and matched each other's opinions to achieve the perfect outcome for our idea. It turned out positively and impressively great and I am super thankful for everyone's effort and patience throughout the project.