Intercultural Design - Task 1

3 Jan 2022 - 21 Jan 2022 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Zetie Binti Bahaman / 0351297 / BDCM
Intercultural Design
Task 1 - Proposal

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LECTURES

The first day of class included the usual module briefing together with the assignment grouping. There were certain parameters to follow when forming a group. I am glad to have formed one that is approved. Then, Dr. Charles gave a lecture on Netnography. Due to the pandemic, this module put a halt on any trips or excursions. Therefore, it is crucial for us to learn this and apply it to our project.

Netnography

Originating from ethnography, netnography is a technology-mediated study/communication/research. For example, the Internet, social media, online forums, etc.

Ethnography focuses on the hands-on experience, visiting the country, and immersing themselves in the interior/exterior environment. They observe things/people face to face and hence, learn their actual personality/characters.

Basically, Netnography = Internet + Ethnography

Netnographic Approach

This process will help us systematically arrange information, leading to assumptions/hypotheses/perspective, which produces the final design outcome for that specific culture we have chosen.

Fig 1.0 Netnographic Approach (Source: Lecture Video)

Methodology: Inductive vs Deductive

Fig 1.1 Methodology Approach (Source: Lecture Video)

Inductive: Confirms an initial understanding

Deductive: Starting from scratch as you completely have no idea about the topic

Data Collection

There are three types:

1. Archive - sources from other people (important to cite them!)

2. Elicited - working together to collect the information with other researchers and members

3. Fieldnotes - personal observational notes. every little thing matters and should be noted down.

Data Analysis: Analytical Coding

This is a guideline for us to observe comments/responses during the data collection phase.

Fig 1.3 Data Analysis (Source: Lecture Video)

*Dr. Charles mentioned that coding can be defined as categorizing in this case.

The final point comes down to 'Ethical Netnography.'

These are some key points that we should practice on approaching the online community.

• Identify and explain yourself
• Ask for permission and Informed consent
• Consult with experts/credible references
• Citation, crediting

It was an interesting topic. I didn't think there would be a name for it as I have been doing research based on online sources. There are some sub topics that give me a refresh on the things that I have learned during my Design Research Methodology class. Hopefully, I will use it to my strengths and give good input to my team members and the group project.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Task 1: Proposal

In this module, we are to study a specific culture/sub-culture, which relates to our theme, "Purpose". From there, we will create a design based on our chosen culture. The first task is to create a proposal.

Week 1 Progression
Once we formed our group, the group leader suggested we drop our ideas using Padlet, and discuss everyone's ideas for us to pick the final topic.

Group 3:
- Rebecca Thoo (Group Leader)

- Yeanne Tung

- Yi Qing
- Zetie (myself)
- Shu Huan
- Wanda Heng

Fig 1.4 Topic Brainstorm on Padlet

We decided to go with the Day of the Dead, a Mexican culture of celebrating life and death.

Week 2 Progression

Our group is assigned to Dr. Jinchi. She will be the supervisor for the rest of this module. Following our first group meeting with her, we had to finalize our overarching concept that will be reflected in the 5 ideas. The concept that the team has agreed upon is 'Celebration' and 'Reunion'. Ms. Jinchi also gave us some key points to research and do a comparison from our chosen culture. We are to present to her a proposal deck in our next meeting with her.

The group leader assigned everyone to their tasks in this proposal. I am in charge of the problem statement, research questions, and objectives, together with my partner, Wanda. The team also decided to focus on our base and get the approval before heading to brainstorm ideas.

Draft 01 - Proposal
We presented the first draft of our proposal deck. 

Fig 1.5 Proposal Draft 01 - PDF, Week 2 (12/1/2022)

Work In Progress
Drafting out Problem Statement, Research Objectives and Questions

Fig 1.6 Work in progress - Assigned task, Week 2 (12/1/2022)

Week 3 Progression
Our concept was approved and hence, we started to brainstorm for ideas that will reflect it. We also made the necessary amendments as suggested by Ms. Jinchi.


Draft 02 - Proposal

Fig 1.7 Proposal Draft 02 - PDF, Week 3 (19/1/2022)

Final Proposal Slides

Fig 1.8 Final Proposal Slides - PDF, Week 3 (21/1/2022)

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FEEDBACK

Week 2
General Feedback:
Good progress, however, some misunderstandings and confusion need to resolve - a clearer sense of direction of the proposal

Specific Feedback:

• Make the problem statement more general - not just about Halloween, it’s the incorporation of Day of The Dead visual elements into modern applications.
• The research problem is about focusing on the true story and meaning of Day of The Dead, and why the different visual elements are suitable for it.
  
• For the problem statement part, talk about how the Day of the Dead symbols or illustrations are used or "misappropriated" as people use them as tattoos and fashion or other works of art and designs. We need to show that it is a problem because it is a cultural thing that is a celebration of death, but people use it as other functions, and many of the times might not know it is related to death. How Day of the Dead is applied to something else, by exploring the existing ways the Day of the Dead elements had evolved and applied into modern applications/designs/celebrations and etc. 

Week 3
General Feedback: 
There are some minor adjustments to make in the proposal. Some of the slides have to be rearranged as suggested. However, overall good job. Our ideas are pretty strong and we can start executing them, as well as, prepare for the data collection week.

Specific Feedback:
Excellent job, some minor adjustments to the flow of the problem statement but overall good work.

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REFLECTIONS

This module has been interesting as I discover other cultures out there. I also learned about new cultures that are unheard of from my groupmates when we all brainstormed to pick a culture. I also learned that some aspects can be similarly related to cultures in my own country. Our chosen culture has been an eye-opener and I can't wait to move on to the next phase of this project with the group.

I was worried at first as I discover that I would have to do research and it would be daunting like my design research class. However, I have become more confident with helpful groupmates and our supervisor that would clarify and explain things clearly. Our group progress is right on track and I hope that we continue this way till the end of this module.