07.02.2025 - 21.03.2025 (Week 1 - Week 7)
Chang Yu Rou | 0374168 | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design GCD61304
Project 1- Proposal, Project 2 - Field Study & Final Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INSTRUCTIONS
▸ MIB_GCD61304 Intercultural Design_Approved
Project Brief:
2. LECTURE
Lectures 1 (Week 1 // 07.02.2025)
✒️ Culture & Design
Purpose of Research In Design
- Research is essential in design as it helps gather important information to start the workflow effectively.
- It enables designers to visualize projects clearly, communicate messages with the right tone, and understand the social, cultural, and political context of their work.
- Research also bridges theory and practice, making the design process more structured and meaningful.
- It should begin with rough exploration, like mood boards, and continue throughout the project to refine and improve the final outcome.
Structure of Design System
Purpose of research in design is achieved through the breakdown and
expansion of the design system.
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| Fig 1.1 The Structure of a Design System |
Fig 1.1 illustrates how a design system is structured, breaking down core
values, principles, and practices while expanding through technology and tools
for real-world implementation.
3. PROJECTS
3.1 Project 1 - Proposal
For this semester, our general theme is "Everyday Design."
- This theme explores how design is seamlessly integrated into daily life.
- Examines how common objects, environments, and systems shape culture, behavior, and identity.
- These designs may not be extravagant or iconic but play a crucial role in daily experiences.
What we need to do:
- Develop preliminary visual concepts interpreting everyday design.
- Use design language to visually express these ideas.
- Support each idea with a brief rationale explaining its significance.
- Conduct visual research to expand and refine creative direction.
Click to view the
Everyday Design Project Guide
For our proposal presentation slides, we need to include:
- 200-word write-up defining and interpreting the theme in relation to the chosen cultural elements.
- Citation is necessary as evidence to the research.
- A minimum of 3 preliminary ideas in detailed sketches, each with individual rationale.
- Visual references (visuals that inspire/ influence those ideas).
- Reference list & Picture credits
Process & Ideation
In Week 1, after the lecture, we had to find groupmates to form a group
with a maximum of six members, but no more than three members could be
from the same semester.
Figure 2.1 shows my group members list, and we are Group 18.
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| Fig 2.1 Group 18 Members List and Data, Week 1 (07.02.2025) |
We were assigned Mr. Asrizal as our supervisor.
After forming our group, we began discussing. Each member brainstormed and
researched one idea individually before our week 2 meeting, where we
shared our ideas with the group.
We had many ideas, including Malaysia's mamak stalls, Malaysia Batik,
Chinese calligraphy, and Japanese minimalism design. However, after
further discussion and deeper research, the majority of us chose
Malaysia Batik (Malaysia's traditional textile art) for further
exploration.
Following our research, we developed three preliminary ideas with
sketches, visual references, and individual rationales for each concept:
- Fashion in Batik
- Zine/Journal
- Fusion of Batik in Different Cultures
Final Project 1 Proposal Slides (PDF Format)
Final Project 1 Proposal Presentation Video
Final Project 1 Proposal Submission Folder (Google Drive Link):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pO9Bv17zIq2VcJcD4nrgR7kl0BL47Z5v?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pO9Bv17zIq2VcJcD4nrgR7kl0BL47Z5v?usp=sharing
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3.2 Project 2 - Field Study
Duration: 24.02.2025 - 28.02.2025 (Week 4)
Research Outline
Malaysia Batik (Malaysia's traditional textile art)
For our field study, my team and I first outlined our research. We wrote
down our research purpose, research questions, and research objectives.
Research Purpose
- To explore and understand the rich heritage of Batik by visiting a museum dedicated to its history and craftsmanship.
- Gain insights into the traditional techniques, cultural significance, and evolution of Batik as an art form.
Research Questions
Before developing our concept, we first aimed to understand the
relationship between Batik and modern-day design. To do this, we
explored the following key questions:
- What are the challenges in making Batik relevant in contemporary fashion and lifestyle?
- How can Batik be creatively integrated into everyday objects beyond traditional textiles?
- How can modern techniques be used to reimagine Batik?
Research Objective
- Understand how Batik can connect past traditions with modern design.
- Identify ways to make Batik appealing to younger generations.
- Identify ways to merge traditional Batik motifs with contemporary aesthetics in fashion, design, and daily life.
Data Collection
After discussing, we decided that the best approach for our field study
was to conduct an on-site visit. We planned to go to the National Textile
Art Museum and experience Batik painting firsthand.
On-site visit National Textile Art Museum
Week 4 is our data collection week, so after discussing, my team and I
planned to go on Wednesday, 26.02.2025. We first visited the National
Textile Art Museum because our research focuses on Malaysia’s traditional
textiles, particularly Batik. This museum was the most suitable place for
our data collection.
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| Fig 2.2 The entrance of National Textile Musuem, Week 4 (26.02.2025) |
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Fig 2.3 Our ticket of National Textile Musuem, Week 4
(26.02.2025) |
The museum truly impressed me. As a museum dedicated to Batik and other
cultural fashion histories, it provided valuable insights. This was my
first time researching Batik, making it a great opportunity to deepen my
knowledge. As I walked around and explored the exhibits, I felt incredibly
proud to be a Malaysian. Batik is a significant part of Malaysia’s rich
cultural heritage!
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| Fig 2.4 Display of materials used in Batik making – Coloring materials |
Experience Batik painting firsthand
We wanted to experience Batik painting, so we found a Batik coloring shop
located in Central Market. It was such a fun experience for me because I
enjoy painting, and the most enjoyable part was watching the colors spread
beautifully on the canvas.
We also had the opportunity to talk with a worker at the shop, who
explained that the colors we used for our Batik canvas were fabric dyes,
which are commonly used for coloring Batik materials.
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| Fig 2.5 Batik painting materials we used |
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| Fig 2.6 My final Batik painting and me 🦥 |
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| Fig 2.7 Our group photo with our Batik paintings in front of the shop |
Since we wanted to experience Batik painting, we also had the opportunity to explore Central Market!
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| Fig 2.8 Our second group photo in front of Central Market |
Final Field Study
Final Project 2 Field Study Slides (PDF Format)
Data Collection - Additional Info (PDF Format)
Final Project 2 Field Study Submission Folder (Google Drive
Link):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1utHDDVFNPSpkIIZt755l-nOkOOsb6HA1?usp=sharing
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3.3 Final Project
Process of Working on the Final Project
For our final project, my team is creating a Physical Zine.
According to the instructions in the module booklet, we also need to
create a TikTok page to document our process. This page will serve as a
cultural journal, where we record, reflect on, and creatively present our
interactions, observations, and insights about everyday design.
Within our team, we
divided ourselves into two smaller groups:
- one focused on completing the physical zine.
- the other responsible for managing the TikTok page.
TikTok Page Process
I chose to work on the TikTok page.
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| Fig 2.9 TikTok Video Editing Responsibilities |
As shown in Figure 2.9, we also discussed and finalized the video content for our TikTok page.
For our TikTok video content, we planned to create 8 videos:
- Introduction to Our Project
- On-Site Visit Vlog (Part 1 & Part 2)
- Comparison of Traditional Batik and Modern Batik
- Batik-Making Tutorial – Batik Pelangi (Tie-Dye)
- Styling Batik in Everyday Life
- Batik at Taylor’s
- Zine Tour
- Reflection Video
Before starting our week 4 on-site visit (data collection), we had already
planned what to film for our TikTok content. Since we were informed about
this requirement in Week 1 during our module briefing session with Mr.
Asrizal, we created a document to outline what we wanted to capture and
what we would post as documentation for our project.
The following document contains the planned TikTok videos, including captions, voice-over content, and other details.
For the TikTok page, I am in charge of the Batik at Taylor’s video and the
Reflection Video. Starting from Week 5, I have been editing these two
videos using CapCut.
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| Fig 2.10 Screenshot of Me Editing the Reflection Video in Capcut |
Re:Batik TikTok Page
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| Fig 2.11 Screenshot of our TikTok Page - @rebatik18 |
Zine Process
For our zine, the content was discussed as a whole group, but the main
contributors in charge were Melissa Kang, Hui Zhen, and Yee Qin.
The following document contains the planned Zine contents.
Final Project Outcome
TikTok Page:
@rebatik18
Digital Zine Flip Book:
Final Project Slides (PDF Format)
Final Project Presentation Video
Final Project Submission Folder (Google Drive Link):
4. REFLECTION
Experience
At first, I was very confused about this module. I didn’t know what we were supposed to do. But after the briefing session with Mr. Asrizal, I slowly started to understand that this was a continuous project.
Through this module, I learned a lot about everyday design. Now, I pay more attention to the designs I see in daily life and think more deeply about them.
I am also very happy to have such cooperative and supportive groupmates. We worked well together and helped each other, which made the project go smoothly. In Week 4, we visited the National Textile Museum for our data collection. It was an amazing experience! I learned a lot about Malaysian Batik and even got to paint batik myself, which was really fun.
This module has taught me to notice designs everywhere. It has improved my creativity and made me think more about why designers make certain choices. Now, when I see a poster on the street, I wonder why the designer made it that way and think more deeply about design.
Observation
While working on this project, I started noticing more details in everyday design. From posters, packaging, and clothes to furniture and buildings, I see how design is used in different ways. I also noticed that many traditional designs are still used today, but they are combined with modern styles.
When we visited the National Textile Museum, I observed how traditional batik has many different styles and meanings. Some batik designs tell stories, while others show symbols from nature. It was interesting to see how colors and patterns are carefully chosen to create meaning.
Findings
From this project, I realized that design is everywhere, and it plays an important role in our daily lives. Even things we don’t usually pay attention to, like a restaurant menu or a train ticket, have design choices behind them.
I also learned that traditional art, like batik, is still important today. It is not only a part of history but also used in modern fashion and products. This made me appreciate how design connects the past and the present.
Most importantly, I found that teamwork is very important. By working together, we were able to complete our project successfully and learn from each other.
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