Intercultural Design Task 2

2024.02.26-2024.03.17

Rachel Yeo Rong Qing / 0368901

Intercultural Design

Task 2

CONTENT





LECTURES

All lectures has been completed in Intercultural Design Task 1.

 2.     Class Summary

  • Week 4 : Japan field trip.
  • Week 5 : Consultation one by one and giving feedback to our sketches.


INSTRUCTIONS

In this task, we have been asked to : 

- Data Collection Methods : 

    ~ Observation study

    ~ Interview of relevant stakeholders

    ~ Visual research of the selected culture (Physical and Online)

- In relevant ways that protect and preserve the collected artifacts and materials

- Accompanying descriptions that properly and clearly informs about important information of each artifacts and materials

Task 2 : Observation Study

Before embarking on our field trip, we have planned our itinerary to ensure the clarity on the routes to the destination for our research on supernatural beliefs. We have visit some museums, temples and also experienced traditional kimono to have a deeper understand in Japan culture.


We have visit Nishiki Market, Shinsaibashi, Shinsekai, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple to proceed to our research on local culinary delights, packaging and explore Yokai influences.

Below are some examples of Snack Packaging with Yokai Elements : 

Daruma (Japanese: だるま) is a Japanese roly-poly ornament and toy that imitates the sitting posture of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Daruma has symbolize as luck and perseverance due to its round and distinctive features. This packaging has use pink color as the main color of daruma, the vibrant color and cheerful illustrations has connect the cultural significance of Daruma to the joy of play.

Raccoons (Japanese: たぬき) is a popular mascot in Japan packaging design. It is because raccoons is known as clever and playful and its symbolizing resourcefulness. The inspiration for using raccoons inn packaging are due to their cute appearance and their role in Japanese folklore which is a shape-shifters and tricksters.

Foxes (Japanese: きつね) has inspire Japan biscuit packaging and design. Due to the cleverness and mystical characteristic of fox in Japanese folklore, it has makes the packaging more attractive to audience. The use of fox not only makes the packaging visually appealing but also reflect the harmonious blend of cultural heritage and creativity.

Interview

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?

Video of the 1st interview

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?


Video of the 2nd interview

Visual Research

During our online research, we have found that some fascinating Yokai packaging designs that attract us immediately. Especially the packaging design of teabags, candy jar or biscuit cartoon box that turn scary Yokai into a cute styles. 

Picture shown above are some design that we most interested when we doing the online research. The design above has been craft 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.

Data Collection

We have conducted a survey asking questions based on the Design System (Basic Assumption) and (Norm and Values).

Design System

Response of Google Form

In the realm of snack preferences, our findings underscore that appealing packaging and cultural interest hold greater significance. This survey has 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.

Design Preferences and Elements

Design Preferences and Elements

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. Besides of that, 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 wiith minimalist and Kawaii "Kappa" Yokai Design.

Online Consultation

Data Collection Presentation

After we present 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.

Ideation Sketches

Through the consultation with Ms. Noranis, she advised us to generate 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.

Sketches #1

Sketches #2

Sketches #3

Sketches #4

Final Sketches

After the ideation sections, we decide to have a voting section to select our preferred sketch. Based on the result of the voting, Sketch #1 and Sketch #3 was the most preferred sketch. Therefore, we decide to combine the element of each sketches and at the end 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.

Final Sketch of Yo Bento

Yo Bento's Color Scheme




FEEDBACK

Week 4 : 

General Feedback : try to have a envision innovative ways to incorporate traditional Japanese cultural elements into our culinary presentation.

Specific feedback : Advance the exploration into the realm of bento boxes. Further development of our ideas through additional sketches for more detailed conceptualization and refinement.

Week 5 : 

General feedback : Good idea especially on the creativity in incorporating Oni heads as dividers and utilizing hexagonal shapes.

Specific feedback : Moving forward with crafting mock-up 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.



REFLECTIONS

*Experience

        Our trip to Osaka gave us an intimate introduction to Japanese culture, which was a life-changing experience. We went on a visual tour of snack treats centered around Yokai and Japanese culture, exploring museums, tourist attractions, and temples. Our creativity was stimulated and our interest was piqued by the colorful exhibits and exquisite objects. Furthermore, the Japanese-language interview we conducted with the residents provided insightful information on well-known Japanese folklore and sources of inspiration for Japanese culture.

*Observation

        By closely observing and carefully analyzing, we unraveled the delicate dance between tradition and modernity in Japanese culture. Our investigation into design inclinations, focusing on aspects like kawaii and minimalism, proved pivotal in gaining market understanding. Amidst a multitude of choices, the bento box stood out as the preferred product, captivating respondents with its visual charm and cultural relevance. This finding emphasized the timeless appeal of traditional Japanese culinary traditions amidst shifting consumer tastes.

*Findings

        Through our investigation, we amalgamated experiential learning, interviews, observations, and survey data. Our findings reveal that infusing snack delights with yokai and Japanese folklore elements, showcased in a bento box arrangement, greatly captivates consumers. This blend of cultural themes strikes a chord with audiences both at home and abroad, indicative of the expanding fascination with Japanese customs and beauty. Moreover, our research emphasizes the significance of maintaining cultural authenticity and sensitivity in product development, showcasing the capacity for cultural elements to bridge geographical gaps and promote intercultural comprehension.




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