Intercultural Design Task 2
26/2/2024-7/3/2024 (Week 4- Week 5)
Jie Xuan/ 0356515
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Creative Media/Taylor's University
Task 2- Field Study & Data Collection
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions
2. Portfolio
3. Field Trip
5. Interview
8. Feedbacks
9. Reflection
Instructions
Submission
Requirement:
- Data Collection Methods
- Observation study
- Interview of relevant stakeholders
- Visual research of the selected culture ( Physical & Online )
- In relevant ways that protect and preserve the collected artefacts and materials
- Accompanying descriptions that properly and clearly informs about important information of each artefact and materials
Portfolio
Field Trip
Week
3
Itinerary
Prior to
embarking on our field trip, we meticulously planned our itinerary, ensuring
clarity on the routes to the destinations we intended to visit for further
research on supernatural beliefs. We visited museums, temples, and even wore
traditional kimonos to immerse ourselves more deeply in the local culture.
Observation Study
We visited
Nishiki Market, Shinsaibashi, Shinsekai, and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine to
delve into local culinary delights, packaging, and explore Yokai influences.
These are
the few examples of Snack Packaging with Yokai Elements:
Daruma
(Japanese: だるま) is a Japanese tumbler ornament
and toy that imitates the sitting posture of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen
Buddhism. It is now an abomination that transcends religion and sect. The round
and distinctive features of the Daruma, symbolizing luck and perseverance.The
packaging reflects this spirit with vibrant colors and cheerful illustrations,
connecting the cultural significance of Daruma to the joy of play.
Raccoons,
known as "tanuki," have become popular mascots featured in packaging
design. These clever creatures are beloved for their playful and mischievous
qualities, symbolizing resourcefulness. The inspiration for using raccoons in
packaging goes beyond their cute appearance to include their role in Japanese
folklore, particularly yokai tales where they are depicted as shape-shifters
and tricksters.
In Japan, foxes, called "kitsune," inspire biscuit packaging and design. Valued for their cleverness and mystical qualities in Japanese folklore, foxes bring charm to biscuit packaging. The use of fox motifs not only makes the packaging visually appealing but also reflects a harmonious blend of cultural heritage and creativity.
Visual References
During our
online search, we stumbled upon some fascinating Yokai theme packaging designs
that immediately caught our attention. What struck us the most was the scary
Yokai with the creative packaging like teabags, candy jar and biscuit carton
box.
Each crafted in an irresistible creative but yet intimidating style. We were impressed by how they managed to maintain the essence of each Yokai while giving them a captivating makeover.
Interview
Fortunately, one of our teammates, Rachel Yeo Ring Qin ,who is very proficiency at speak Japanese conducted interviews with locals using their familiar language to seems more amiably to gather more valuable insights.
1st
Interview:
Interviewer
: Rachel Yeo
Interviewee: Nakamura Yuki
Questions:
1. The
three most classic yokai and the stories of it?
2. When
did you start to get in touch with the culture of yokai? How did you know about
it?
3. Where
can we find a lot of yokai things in Osaka?
2nd
Interview:
Interviewer: Rachel Yeo
Interviewee: Nakamura, Mayumi Tokaido shiko, Yamanaka Machiko
Questions:
1. List
the yokai that you know about it.
2. When
did you start to get in touch with the culture of yokai? How did you know about
it?
3. Would
you be interested in packaging with Yokai theme?
Data Collection
Week 4
Survey Form Link:
https://forms.gle/KitZeGFYKUUYesSTy9
We have
conducted survey asking questions based on the Design System ( Basic Assumption
) & ( Norm and Values).
In the
realm of snack preferences, our findings underscore that appealing packaging
and cultural interest hold greater significance. The survey indicates a clear
trend where consumers prioritize snacks not only for their visual appeal but
also for their cultural resonance, emphasizing on kawaii and minimalist
themed.
Based on
the survey findings, the product fused with yokai creatures that garnered the
highest preference for purchase is the bento box, with a notable 25.4% of
consumers expressing interest. On the other hand, the candy jar received
the least preference, with only 13.6% indicating a desire to purchase.
Meeting
the demand of target market, we decide to design a Kawaii Bento Box with made
with minimalist and Kawaii “Kappa” Yokai Design.
Data Collection Presentation Slide:
Data Collection Slide
After presenting our proposal and findings to Ms. Noranis, we were pleased with her approval of our interview sessions conducted in Japanese. We suggested incorporating both bento box culture and the kawaii theme into our survey methodology, which she found intriguing. This blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese aesthetics is poised to offer rich insights into Japanese cultural nuances. With Ms. Noranis' support, we're excited to advance our research, confident that our approach will yield valuable understanding of cultural sensitivity in Japan, particularly within the realms of food culture and aesthetic appreciation.
Week 5
Ideation Sketches
Following
our consultation with Ms. Noranis, she advised us to generate additional
sketches and to prioritize the development of the bento box concept. She
emphasized its popularity in Japan, particularly for picnics, indicating its
relevance and potential resonance with our project objectives.
Sketch 1:
Sketch 2:
Sketch 3:
Sketch 4:
Final Sketches:
Drawing
upon our team member ideas, we engaged in a voting process to select our
preferred sketch, ultimately favoring Sketch 1 while also appreciating the
interior design of Sketch 3. Combining elements from both sketches, we crafted
a unique hexagonal shape that we believed would enhance visual appeal. This
design, which incorporated "kawaii Yokai" motifs and utilized demon
shapes as dividers for the food compartments, was presented to Ms.
Noranis.
The
rationale behind our choice stemmed from the hexagon's distinctiveness and its
ability to encompass both aesthetic and functional considerations within the
context of Japanese culture.
Feedbacks
Lecturer Feedback
Week 3
Ms. Noranis tasked us with exploring museums or temples in Osaka, aiming to draw inspiration for our project on how yokai snack delights could be creatively presented within the food packaging concept. she prompting us to envision innovative ways to incorporate traditional Japanese cultural elements into our culinary presentation.
Week 4
During online consultation, Ms. Noranis was amazed by one of teammates Rachel's interview approach with local Japanese individuals, particularly emphasizing the value of conducting conversations in Japanese. She encouraged us to advance our exploration into the realm of bento boxes. Additionally, she requested further development of our ideas through additional sketches for more detailed conceptualization and refinement.
Week 5
Ms. Noranis provided positive feedback on our bento box sketches, noting the creativity in incorporating demon heads as dividers and utilizing hexagonal shapes. She suggested moving forward with creating mock-ups to further visualize and refine our design concepts which boosted our confidence in the direction of our project, motivating us to proceed with mock-up.
Reflection
Observation:
Through astute observation and careful analysis, we identified the nuanced interaction between tradition and modernity within Japanese culture. Our investigation into design preferences, focusing on elements like kawaii and minimalism, proved instrumental in gaining market insights. Among the myriad choices examined, the bento box stood out as the most favored product, captivating respondents with its visual charm and cultural significance. This finding emphasized the lasting appeal of traditional Japanese culinary traditions in the face of shifting consumer tastes.
Finding:
Our research resulted in an amalgamation of experiential learning, interviews, observational findings, and survey data. We discovered that integrating Yokai and Japanese folklore themes into snack offerings, particularly within the framework of a bento box, greatly attracts consumers. This blending of cultural elements strikes a chord with both local and global audiences, indicating an increasing fascination with Japanese customs and aesthetics. Moreover, our findings emphasize the significance of cultural awareness and genuineness in product development, showcasing the capacity for cultural artifacts to bridge geographical gaps and promote cross-cultural appreciation.
Experience:
This is my first-ever study trip walk us into Japanese culture and traditions. While exploring museums, landmarks, and temples, we came across culinary treats inspired by Yokai and Japanese folklore. The exhibitions and artifacts ignited our curiosity and creativity, immersing us fully in Japanese customs and culture during our time in Osaka. Visiting cup noodle museums, sites, and temples that influenced by Japanese folklore and Yokai themes, we were inspired to create our own cup noodles when we visit the cup noodle museum. Talking to locals in fluent Japanese helped us discover insights into famous Japanese folklore and hidden cultural treasures, deepening our understanding and appreciation of their culture..
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