Intercultural Design - Proposal, Data Collection, Visual Outcome

5 Feb 2024 - 29 Mar 2024/ Week 1 - Week 8

Leem Sejin / 0362419
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design (Honour) in Creative Media
Task: Proposal, Data Collection, Visual Outcome

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LECTURES

Week 1

Culture & Design

Visuals are powerful persuasive medium to provide most of our information about the world.

Visuals are :

1. Everything that can be seen

wide, all-inclusive including nature, - unless there’s meaning and representation attached to it.

2. Everything produced or created by humans that can be seen

This proposes that the visual is everything that can be seen and which is produced or created by humans for the purpose of visual representations that has functions, content and communicative purpose.

Fig 1.1 Examples of visuals

** Consider : Designers need to be aware of cultural nuances, symbolism, and context to create designs that are inclusive and resonate with diverse audiences.

Design significance

Fig 1.2 Design System

** Consider : Cultural sensitivity in design goes beyond aesthetics; it also encompasses functionality, usability, and the overall user experience.


Design Sensitivity

**Cultural Sensitivity Awareness

1. Symbolism and Imagery: Certain symbols and images may carry different meanings in different
cultures.

2. Color Considerations: Colors can have cultural significance, and their meanings may vary across different societies.

3. Typography and Language: Choosing fonts and text styles that are culturally appropriate is important

**Addressing Cultural Sensitivity

1. Inclusive Design:

2. User Research:

3. Localization:

4. Cultural Awareness Training:

Week 2

Culture, Design & Research

Why do we need to do research?
- Designers have to be more vigilant with their artworks and this takes more than just skills, intuition, and creativity.

For your project, you need to do research

1. Before writing the project proposal
2. After producing the proposal
3. During the creation of your artwork

How to do research

1. Before writing the proposal

-Secondary findings: Data collected through published and existing resources (eg. Wikipedia, websites, Youtube documentaries, Design sources,inspirations)

-Primary findings: Sketches of proposed artworks based on nyour research from Secondary findings.

2. After producing the proposal

Primary findings: Data collected from On-site observation/ Interviews / Surveys

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INSTRUCTION

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TASK

TASK 1 PROPOSAL

Week 1

Based on the lectures, I decided to research several topics about Japanese culture. I tried to research uncommon cultures to avoid clashes with other groups.

Proposal Draft

Fig 2.1 Draft proposal

Week 2

This week, we selected our group members and discussed about our research during the meeting. After the discussion, we decided to choose stereotypes and misconception of the Geisha. We distributed our topics to do further research, and my job is finding about the makeup of the geisha, and shoes.

I utilised several blogs about the history of the geisha, wikipedia, and watch youtube video of the procedure of the geisha.

This is the references that I refer to :

1. Makeup of Geisha

Fig 2.2 Makeup of Geisha

https://www.travel-kyoto-maiko.com/traveltips/how-to-apply-makeup-of-geisha/
https://thebeautyinsideout.com/geisha-makeup/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha
https://geishaofjapan.com/fashion/makeup/

2. Shoes of Geisha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geta_(footwear)
https://geimei.tumblr.com/differencesmaikoandgeiko

Research Document

Fig 2.3 Research Document

Week 3

Based on the research documents, we compile the information into the power point slide for the presentation.

TASK 1 FINAL SUBMISSION

Fig 2.4 Final Proposal Slide

TASK 2 : DATA COLLECTION

Week 4

This week was the data collection, and our group was travelling to Japan from 25 Feb to 1 Mar.
Before we travelled to Japan, we researched on the places to visit and what kind of data that going to collect. Our group leader, Winnie, also book the Tea Ceremony to meet with Maiko as well.

Fig 2.5 Tea Ceremony Website

Fig 2.6 Gion Street

We aimed to visit :

1. Gion Street
2. Hanamatsuri
3. Tea Ceremony House ( Meet Maiko )
4. Pop Mart Store

This is to collect the life of the geisha, kimono of the geisha, PopMart references

Data Collection in Japan

3d Figure

On the first day, we went to the Parco and Umeda to collect data for popmart packaging and random 3d figures. For my job, I need to take down the size of the 3d figures and details of the modelling.

Fig 2.7 Mario Statue

Fig 2.8 Zelda Amiibo

Fig 2.9 Totoro, Mei

Fig 2.10 PopMart Figures

Geisha and Maiko / kimono

We went to Kyoto to rent the kimono to better understanding of the layout and the way of wearing it. We moved on to visit Gion street to take pictures of different kimono designs, geisha and maiko theme souvenir, closer look at the street while Winnie and Karyee, meet with Maiko at Tea Ceremony.

Fig 2.11 Wearing Kimono

Fig 2.12 Gion Street

Fig 2.13 Gion Street

Fig 2.13 Geisha Doll

Fig 2.14 

Fig 2.15 Hanamatsuri

Data Analysis

Week 5
Our group gathered all the photos into the google drive, and compiled them into the power point for the presentation. Also, we discussed to distribute our role for the final project.

Fig 2.16 Discussion

Fig 2.17 Assignment of the role and schedule

TASK 2 FINAL SUBMISSION

Fig 2.18 Data Collection

TASK 3 VISUAL OUTCOME & PRESENTATION

Week 6

For me, I was assigned for geisha character design, create character sheet, hair designs for geisha and maiko, 3D modelling.

At first, I worked with Hui Yi, to draw basic geisha design, and I did further development to make the figures similar to the PopMart series. Using the geisha template, I duplicated and developed into Maiko template, in order to keep same designs and proportion.
 

Fig 2.19 Maiko design

Fig 2.20 Geisha Design template

Week 6

3D Modelling Process

At first, I used Zbrush to sculpt the face and body of the geisha.

Fig 2.21 Geisha sculpting

However, I found that Zbrush cannot apply complex kimono designs, hence I transferred to Maya for modelling the character.

Fig 2.22 Errors for zbrush

After I finished with the modelling, I proceed for UV Cut for the texturing. I applied the textures designed by the groupmates in the photoshop.

Fig 2.23 UV Cut

Geisha and Maiko Model Ver 1

Fig 2.24 Geisha 

Fig 2.25 Maiko

Fig 2.26 props

Design Progress

Fig 2.27 Design Process pdf

Week 7

Based on the feedback from Ms Anis, I need to change the size of the eyes to make it attract to the audience. Also, I improved the makeup of the geisha and maiko by applying the blush on the cheek and the eyes.

Fig 2.28 Development of the eyes

Final Render of the Geisha

Fig 2.29 Final Geisha turntable

Final Render of the Maiko

Fig 2.30 Final Geisha turntable

After I finished with the model and box, I exported with glb format to place them in the VR showcase.

Fig 2.31 Overview of the VR Showcase

TASK 3 :FINAL SUBMISSION

Click here to view our VR Showcase

Fig 2.32 Project Showcase

Fig 2.33 Presentation Slide

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FEEDBACK

Week 3
Ms Anis think that among the 3 ideas proposed, she suggested our group to go with the popmart idea.


Week 4
Ms Anis said that the data collection is very well done, good job on being able to interview a real maiko. Fascinating job done.


Week 5
Ms Anis said that the progress of the group is very fast and we should just continue with what we are doing, remember to include rationales for the concepts behind our design decisions


Week 6
We showed Ms Anis our popmart 3D model and she think that we can make the eyes of the doll more "docile". Increase the size of the black part of the eyeballs. Can consider adding titles and subtitles to the product showcase.


Week 7
Ms Anis complimented that the final product is amazing and there is a VR gallery showcasing the products too. Extremely good job on leading the team and the effort of all the group members..

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REFLECTION

Experience

I really enjoyed the project, and the final outcome was really satisfied. I had meaningful experience in Japan, explored different and interesting culture. Also, I really had good teamwork with the group mates, and take a responsibility as a modeler to do the final product.

Observation

 I learnt to be more critical thinker when I do the research. I need to remind myself to think, why this research data is important and how does it help for the future production.

Findings

This was my first time that doing the 3D modelling alone and instruct the group members for preparing the texture file for the rendering. At first, I was not confident with my 3d modelling skill, and worried that I ruined the whole project. However, throughout the project, all of my members provide the feedback and these really help me to be more motivated and take responsibility as a modeler to come out with the final outcome.