Intercultural Design Final Project

2024.03.17-2024.03.29

Rachel Yeo Rong Qing / 0368901

Intercultural Design

Final Project

CONTENT





LECTURES

All lectures has been completed in Intercultural Design Task 1.

 2.     Class Summary

  • Week 6 : Japan field trip.
  • Week 7 : Consultation one by one and giving feedback to our sketches.


INSTRUCTIONS

Final Project

Upon finalizing the research phase, gathering data, participating in all lectures and tutorials, and delivering a thorough proposal alongside research findings, students are tasked with producing visual design outcomes that embody their understanding and interpretation of the designated theme.

Prior to commencing the mockup creation, our plan entails introducing our rationale and palette. While Yokai are typically perceived as scary and menacing, we aim to diverge from this stereotype by opting for an adorable and straightforward bento box design.

Digitization

We employed a voting process to select the final name for the bento box, settling on "Yo Bento". Adorning the cover of this box are six charming Yokai depicted in a delightful "kawaii" manner, encapsulating the enigmatic essence of Japanese folklore. The hexagonal shape draws inspiration from traditional motifs, symbolizing the Yokai's positions. Inside, the arrangement is structured with three Yokai-shaped dividers, embodying the harmonious balance intrinsic to Japanese design. A central aperture enhances both efficiency and aesthetic appeal. The lid surprises with illustrations of legendary creatures, starting with a kappa, underscoring the Yokai's significance. Overall, the design showcases a meticulous and endearing Yokai style.

Yo Bento's Final Sketch 

Through our research, we've gained valuable insights into the underlying principles guiding Japanese Bento Box designs: 

For the black color, it signifies elegance, simplicity, and formality. The red color is often linked with happiness, good fortune, and celebratory occasions in Japanese tradition. Choosing a red bento box could convey a sense of festivity or auspiciousness. 

Lighter colors such as pastel green and yellow facilitate the identification of stains or remaining food, thereby promoting cleanliness and hygiene. 

Consequently, we have adopted an exterior color scheme consisting of black and red, while the interior incorporates green and yellow shades to enhance visual appeal and cultural significance.

Yo Bento's Color Scheme

Box Expand View

Next, we have design the layout of the bento box expand view to measure he width and length of the bento box lid to make room for the internal space.

Bento Box Expand View

Mock up

To visualize the design's integration and functionality within the bento box, we initially experimented with clay but found it too malleable and slow to solidify. Transitioning to paper cards provided a more practical and efficient alternative for crafting mock-ups. Utilizing meticulous measurements and iterative prototyping, we laid the groundwork for translating our creative concepts into tangible reality with precision and effectiveness.

Interior of Yo Bento

Side view of Yo Bento

Final Outcome

After finalizing the design, we applied Buncho watercolors to the exterior of the bento box, adding an intriguing and attention-grabbing element. To further enhance the lid's aesthetic appeal, we printed our meticulously crafted artwork and affixed it inside. Our design studio was exclusively reserved for capturing images of Yo Bento, showcasing its intricate details and highlighting its beauty up close, thus fully capturing the essence of our product.

Final Interior of Yo Bento

Yo Bento Promotional Photo

Physical Consultation

Following the Intercultural Design Lecture, Ms. Noranis offered valuable insights, recommending the creation of a stop-motion video featuring the intricacies of the bento box and its contents. Inspired by her guidance, we embarked on this imaginative endeavor, meticulously capturing each frame to imbue Yo Bento with vibrancy and realism. This multimedia approach not only enriched our proposal but also accentuated the creative design and delicious cuisine it showcased.

Showing the Yo Bento Mock-Up to Ms. Noranis

Our objective was to produce a stop-motion film that not only highlighted the intricate details of the bento box but also accentuated the deliciousness of its contents through dynamic storytelling. To achieve this, we developed a narrative mood board.

Story Mood Board of Stop Motion Video

Mock-up Idea Presentation

Below are the photos that we take in the photo shooting studio.

Interior angle of Yo Bento

Front angle of Yo Bento

Final Project PPT

Final Project PPT (PDF)

Final Project Online Presentation : Click here

Yo Bento Stop Motion Video Presentation : Click here


FEEDBACK

Week 6 : 

General Feedback : Mock-up project's quick progress was satisfied by Ms. Noranis.

Specific feedback : Try to film that highlights Yo Bento. Showcasing the mouthwatering meals inside as well as using close-up images to draw attention to its features. 

Week 7 : 

General feedback : Overall looks nice.

Specific feedback : The ads video was been satisfied by Ms. Noranis.



REFLECTIONS

*Experience

        The success of our joint endeavor showcased the power of teamwork, commitment, and efficient task coordination from the inception of brainstorming to the ultimate realization. Every member of the team played a pivotal part, bringing forth their expertise and abilities within a framework of transparent communication and mutual regard. The creation of the Yo Bento prototype proved to be an enriching educational journey, amalgamating insights from all participants and guaranteeing top-notch standards through thorough pre- and post-production deliberations. In summary, the project nurtured advancement, development, and triumphant achievements through unified endeavor and cooperation.

*Observation

        Our journey underscored the significance of perseverance and adaptability as we navigated through various challenges, particularly in the realm of sourcing materials and selecting a suitable color scheme for the bento box. Recognizing the cultural importance of color in Japan, we meticulously deliberated on how different hues would impact the presentation of Yo Bento and influence the perception of its contents. Despite these hurdles, our cohesion, dedication, and effective task management propelled us forward, fostering innovative exploration and refining our design through the integration of digital technologies and prototype testing. Ultimately, our collective efforts culminated in a favorable outcome that not only fostered progress but also fortified the bonds of collaboration within our team.

*Findings

        In summary, our project voyage has been defined by collaboration, commitment, and adept problem-solving. While we faced hurdles, notably in procuring materials and choosing colors for the bento box, our resilience and flexibility enabled us to surmount them. Mindful of the cultural importance of color in Japanese heritage, we meticulously evaluated its influence on Yo Bento's visual appeal and culinary aesthetics. Despite setbacks, our cohesion, dedication, and streamlined task coordination propelled us towards triumph, yielding a favorable result. Our journey underscores the significance of resilience and teamwork in attaining objectives, serving as a rich learning experience for everyone engaged.




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