INTERCULTURAL DESIGN
INTERCULTURAL DESIGN
03.2.2025-21.3.2025 (WEEK1-WEEK7)
FANN WONG JING EN ｜0382237
Design Principles | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
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MODULE INFORMATION BRIEF (MIB)
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LECTURE
Week 1
In the first week, we were introduced to the module which included information on Culture & Design, summarized 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.
• 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.
• 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
Week 6 & 7
No physical class
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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.
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.
Week 5
This week, we conducted our site visit at Campus Ampang. Following the visit, we compiled and summarized the collected data and interviews, documenting our findings in a TikTok video.
INTERVIEW - 05.3.2025
VENUE: The Campus Ampang
LOCATION: Lot 7706, Jalan Kolam Air Lama, Mukim, Hulu Kelang, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
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FINAL PROJECT
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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.
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REFLECTION
In this group assignment, we conducted an in-depth discussion on Indonesian Batik and Malaysian Batik. Although I did not personally practice the batik process, through team discussions and data research, I have a deeper understanding of the characteristics, historical background and cultural significance of these two batiks. This experience made me feel that traditional handicrafts are not only a technique, but also a carrier of culture. Each pattern and craft carries rich historical and regional characteristics.
During the discussion, we found that these differences are not only differences in craftsmanship, but also related to local culture and social development. Indonesian batik is deeply influenced by Javanese culture, court traditions and religion, so the patterns are more solemn and symbolic. For example, the batik parang pattern symbolizes unyielding and dedication, while the cloud (Mega Mendung) pattern symbolizes patience. Malaysian batik is more influenced by the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, and is more modern in design. It is suitable for fashion clothing and home decoration, showing a more commercial development trend.
At the same time, this group assignment also made me realize the importance of teamwork. During the discussion, everyone put forward different views and insights, and it is these diverse perspectives that make our research more in-depth. We complemented each other and shared information, broadened our understanding of batik culture in the communication, and cultivated critical thinking and teamwork skills.
In general, this assignment not only made me understand the charm of Batik better, but also made me cherish the value of traditional crafts in modern society. Handicrafts are not only an aesthetic expression, but also a symbol of cultural identity. I hope that in the future I will have more opportunities to explore traditional skills around the world and experience the unique charm of different cultures.
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