Intercultural Design | Projects : Everyday Design

Nicco Chew Jin Xun (0366563)

Design Principles | Bachelor of Design (Hons) In Creative Media | Taylor's University

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Intercultural Design

Projects: Everyday Design

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Table of Contents

1. Instructions

2. Lectures

3. Progress

4. Feedback

5. Reflection

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Instructions

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Leb0DkZc8iyl0dva9woUn_M2TtgUqgMF/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>

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Lectures

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Process Work

Theme: Everyday Design

Project 1: Proposal (30%)

3/2/25 - 17/2/25 [Week 1 - Week 3]

Project 2: Field Study (30%)

24/2/25 - 10/3/25 [Week 4 - Week 5]

Project 3: Final Project & Portfolio (40%)

10/3/25 - 24/3/25 [Week 6 - Week 7]

TikTok Videos link: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@clndarchive?_t=ZS-8uvHBRfz1Mr&_r=1

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Feedback

- Week 1 [ 7/2/25 ]

Briefing of module & Task 1. We begin by compiling a list of topics to focus on as a group since all the projects are continuous and team-based.

- Week 2 [ 14/2/25 ]

We finally chosen a topic which is CALENDARS. We began our research on calendars by exploring various cultural and functional aspects. From our findings, we developed three preliminary ideas along with sketches, considering different themes, layouts, and design elements to enhance usability and cultural integration.

- Week 3 [ 21/2/25 ]

Our topic was approved by Mr. Asrizal, allowing us to move forward with refining our proposal. We conducted further research, expanded on our initial ideas, and carefully structured our presentation. After multiple revisions and team discussions, we successfully completed and submitted our proposal on time.

- Week 4 [ 28/2/25 ]

There are no physical or online classes this week, so that we can focus entirely on Task 2 which is Field Study. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, we have selected three research methods: online research, a Google Form survey, and a field trip to Melaka. These approaches will help us gather diverse insights and validate our findings effectively.

- Week 5  [ 7/3/25 ]

We initiated our Google Forms survey for Sabah and conducted a field trip to Melaka on [ 5/3/25 ] (Wednesday) to gather firsthand insights. This week primarily focuses on data collection, analysis, and summarizing our findings into Canva presentation slides for a clear and organized presentation.

- Week 6 [ 14/3/25 ]

With no physical or online classes this week, we began discussions for our final task. We decided to focus on designing three months of the calendar: February, May, and August. Our group has started illustrating the daily pages of three months, incorporating cultural elements and significant events for each month. 

- Week 7 [ 21/3/25 ]

There are no physical or online classes this week, giving us dedicated time to focus on our final task. We have finalized three calendar months — February, May, and August and filming 12 videos for TikTok page.

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Reflection

Experience

Looking back on this project, it was an intense but rewarding experience. From brainstorming ideas to actually designing the calendar, every step pushed us to collaborate, compromise, and think critically. There were moments of stress, especially when juggling tight deadlines and different creative opinions, but we found ways to work through them. As the team leader, I had to make sure everything ran smoothly, from planning our field trip to Melaka to keeping everyone on track. Balancing organization and creativity was challenging, but it taught me a lot about leadership and teamwork.

Observation

One thing that really stood out to me was how much culture influences design. Through our research, I realized that calendars are more than just tools to track dates as they carry stories, traditions, and values. Seeing how different Malaysian states celebrate their festivals made me appreciate the diversity within our own culture. Our Melaka trip was especially eye-opening because we got to experience cultural heritage firsthand, rather than just reading about it. Talking to locals and seeing the historical sites in person gave our project a deeper sense of authenticity.

Findings

What I found most meaningful was how design can be a bridge between cultures. By illustrating Malaysia’s traditions in a modern way, we made something that not only looks good but also educates and connects people. The TikTok videos added another layer, making our work more interactive and accessible to a wider audience. This project showed me that design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about storytelling, communication, and fostering cultural appreciation in ways that resonate with people.