E-Portfolio - Intercultural Design
07.02.25 - 21.03.25 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Aina Ahmed Aleem (0355701)
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor’s University
Table of Contents
- Instructions
- Lectures
- Project 1: Proposal
- Project 2: Field Study
- Final Project
- Feedbacks
- Reflection
Week 1:
In the first week, we were introduced to the module which included information on Culture & Design, summarised below:
- Visual Culture refers to the study of visual objects beyond their textual meanings, emphasizing their materiality and the way they interact with people. While designs serve specific functions, they also carry spiritual and metaphorical significance.
- We live in a visual information culture; visuals are processed faster than text.
- People are selective about the designs and information they engage with.
- A design with cultural significance triggers immediate thoughts, but interpretations vary.
- Different audiences have varying levels of visual understanding, requiring testing and surveys.
- Designers must consider cultural nuances, symbolism, and context for inclusive designs.
- Cultural sensitivity affects not just aesthetics, but functionality, usability, and user experience.
Week 2:
During this lecturer, we had a guest speaker who talked about Everyday Design from the KL Design festival 2024
- Design is art for consumption, influencing lifestyle and behavior.
- People shape their identity through design choices; no right or wrong, just personal expression.
- Designers should experiment and create flexible, well researched work with strong design fundamentals.
- Authenticity is key, as it reflects individual ideas.
- Everyday design must consider customs, habits, and societal impact.
- Encourage more locals to create international work.
Week 3:
This week, we were given a chance to consult with the supervisor to discuss our progress.
Week 4:
We didn’t have physical class this week as we were given time to work on the data collection for our project
Week 5:
We were given further information and guidance on how to proceed with our final project
These were information we acquired from the QnA session from this week's class:
- A minimum of 5 TikTok videos is required.
- Videos should be short, with a maximum length of 30-45 seconds.
- You can create multiple videos on the same topic.
- Brand your TikTok according to your project and treat it like a real brand.
- Create one e-portfolio for all three tasks (continuous format).
- All group members can have the same content in their e-portfolio, but their reflections must be personal and should cover all three tasks collectively, not individually.
- The final presentation is a recorded presentation but does not need to be uploaded to TikTok.
- For e-portfolio submission, include the link to everyone’s e-portfolio and TikTok page in the final slide.
- The data collection presentation deadline is on Saturday.
Week 6 & 7:
No physical class
Project 1
Week 1:
In the first week, our group of six (Gaby, Kat, Aina, Jing En, Ayah and Li Yinuo) was formed. We quickly registered as Group 8 on the Teams spreadsheet and created a group chat for easier communication. On February 12th, we held our first online meeting to finalize our topic, Batik Culture, and soon after, we began working on our proposal.
Week 2:
This week, we focused on preparing our presentation. Each member contributed by researching the background of batik culture. We also drafted our script in preparation for the upcoming presentation.
Link to our presentation slides
Week 3:
On February 22nd, we recorded our presentation via Zoom. The rest of the weekend was spent finalizing and polishing our proposal.
Project 2
Week 4:
To deepen our research, we discussed potential locations for a site visit and finalized our choice, ensuring it aligned with our data collection needs.
Link to our final compilation slides
Week 5:
This week, we conducted our site visit at Campus Ampang. Following the visit, we compiled and summarised the collected data and interviews, documenting our findings in a TikTok video.
Final Project
For our final project, we began by reimagining traditional Batik patterns, incorporating them into digital mockups to visualise how our final product would look. Additionally, we designed a website as a marketing strategy to promote our project and engage a wider audience.
As part of our final submission, we also expanded our TikTok content, creating a variety of videos to enhance our storytelling. These include documentary-style clips based on our interviews, footage showcasing the Batik stores we visited as a tribute to the craft, and engaging content sharing fun facts and insights about Batik. Through these efforts, we aim to celebrate and bring greater awareness to the beauty and cultural significance of Batik.
Feedback
Will we be focusing on patterns, colors, regions, or other stuff? Batik appears in different cultures, and Batik from Indonesia and Malaysia are distinct from each other.
The most important aspect is culture—what does Batik represent? What specific elements are we going to analyze?
It might help to research whether different types of Batik hold different meanings, similar to how kimonos have specific shapes, colors, and floral designs that symbolize different seasons or themes.
Once we identify the core essence of Batik—its symbolic meanings—we can explore how to apply those elements to modern, everyday design.
For example, if sakura flowers on a kimono represent harmony and peace, you might ask: What type of fashion best represents harmony? It could be something comfortable, like a T-shirt. From there, you can incorporate Batik elements into that fashion in a meaningful way.
By following this process, our team can clearly define our goals and create designs that truly reflect Batik’s cultural essence.
Reflection
This module has been an eye-opening experience, deepening my understanding of how design is closely connected to culture. Exploring Everyday Design made me realize how even the simplest objects and environments hold meaning, shaping identity and daily life. It has helped me appreciate how design is not just about aesthetics but also about cultural expression and functionality.
The research and data collection process was particularly insightful. Gathering information through observation and analysis improved my critical thinking skills, allowing me to see beyond surface level design. Presenting our findings on TikTok was a new and exciting challenge, pushing us to communicate ideas in a clear, engaging, and visually appealing way. This experience also helped me explore digital storytelling as a tool for sharing cultural insights with a broader audience.
Collaboration played a crucial role throughout the module. Engaging with my team, sharing ideas, and receiving constructive feedback helped refine my thought process and approach. I also learned the importance of adapting to challenges, managing time effectively, and making informed design decisions based on research.
Overall, this module has reinforced the importance of cultural awareness in design. It has taught me to balance creativity with research and clear communication, skills that I will carry forward in my future projects.
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