Intercultural Design // Project 1, 2 & 3
10.01.23 - 28.02.23 (Week 1- Week 8 )
Emelyne How Sok Hing (0352938)
Bachelor of Design (Hons) Creative Media
Intercultural Design // Project 1, 2 & 3
INSTRUCTIONS
Week 1:
Introduction to Intercultural Design
In our first class of this semester, we were briefed in details on what this course is. We were also shown what was expected from us at the end of the semester.
Here is the link for the slides presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dJeEm-_KPhrC6cSBN7_hRgakzi-wuFsnWsgvi3ZaE4c/edit#slide=id.p
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| Figure 1.0 Slides given to us by the lecturers, 10th January 2023 |
Additionally, at the end of the class we formed our own group. My groupmates were both from semester 2.5 and 1.5.
Week 2:
After the introduction, we were instructed to begin brainstorming project ideas. We had to assemble three concepts that we had considered and also include relevant information based on what we chose as topics.
At first everyone came up with an idea and we had to pitch in our research as well based on the topic that we wanted to propose.
The six ideas were:
- Chinese Cultural Influence on Cartoon
- Red Tibetan String Bracelet
- Graffiti Art Culture
- Origami
- Chinese New Year
- Social Media Culture influence on youngsters
After that we voted among ourselves and in the end we chose those three topics:
1. Chinese Cultural Influence on Cartoon
2. Graffiti Art Culture
3. Origami
Four of us including me did additional research on the three topics while the other two left put the information on a slide.
Here is the link for the proposal of the three topics:
Figure 1.1 Three topics PDF, 15th January2023
Week 4:
Proposal Presentation
We went on to make the necessary changes and continued working after taking our lecturer's remarks into account. Due to the Chinese New Year holidays and the fact that the majority of us were busy, we had to rush our work.
These were the tips given to us:
Each group will only be given 10 minutes to present. Please rehearse your presentation to follow the allocated time given. Not necessary for everyone in the group to speak (present). Be smart about this.
We managed to split the work equally. While some of us took the research part, me and my teammate Anna Ong were assigned to do the sketches as well as the rationales of the work.
Sketches
Here are the sketches that I did on Photoshop.
The first idea was based on a 3D dice on which we wanted to present how Chinese culture is represented in a cartoon/movie. Every side of the dice would have had an illustration.
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| Figure 1.2 3D Dice sketch, 30th January 2023 |
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| Figure 1.3 Lanterns idea, 30th January 2023 |
Here is the sketch illustrated by Anna Ong. The idea was to create an animation known as the zoom zoom where as we zoom in the scene it transitions to another scene. The cartoon chosen was Monkey King.
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| Figure 1.4 Zoom zoom sketch, 30th January 2023 |
Figure 1.5 Proposal Submission Slides PDF, 31st January 2023
Week 6:
Data Collection
Our next task after getting the green light for our project was to collect data. My group and I did some visual research on the internet based on articles and research also known as netnography.
We chose to continue with our lantern-themed concept, but this time we would highlight the various Chinese cultural traditions in the chosen cartoons and movies rather than the evolution of cartoons. We would show the relationship between the portrayal of those practices and reality. We would contrast the cartoon representation of those traditions with the actual traditions. Coming to the illustration part, we wanted to draw on each side of the lanterns and use 3D blender to add more visuals to our work. We also thought of animating each idea. As for instance one side of the lantern would light up and then showcase an illustration and then starts playing a short animation showing the practice of those traditions.
Therefore, after making a clear decision on what we wanted to do, we divided the tasks once more. I was given the task of continuing my research on warrior gear. I tried my best to conduct in-depth investigation to obtain as much factual information as I could. I was looking for reliable information about how the real-life inspiration for the uniforms in the cartoon version came about.
Figure 1.6 Data Collection PDF, 17th February 2023
Week 7:
Final Presentation
Taking our lecturers feedbacks into consideration, we changed our plans. This time we decided to go with something more simple. Our idea was now to create 4 different illustrations where we would showcase each artwork. Our common theme would be based on Chinese ink paintings. Four of us were to sketch the 4 ideas and two of us would illustrate the ideas. I was assigned to the illustration part.
Here are the ideas that my teammate came up with.
Figure 1.7 Sketches of our final project, 20th February 2023
After discussing about the ideas with my teammate Anna Ong who was also illustrating, I designed the background for the artboards. We wanted to go with an ancient paper roll type of background, something that would look a bit old and white washed. Additionally, we thought of adding borders and for each artwork there would be a different corner for the borders and different patterns for the background. To illustrate the background I used Photoshop.
Figure 1.8 Background Illustrations, 22nd February 2023
Our plan was to add borders and make use of motifs that are frequently found on Chinese-related objects or in temples. About the background, we wanted a distinctive pattern for each piece of art. Since the first one's artwork is inspired by warrior uniforms, it serves as the Earth Kingdom's logo. Also, I wanted the logos to resemble coins since in Chinese culture, money is a symbol of wealth that is frequently prayed for or wished for. The artwork for Mulan would come next, and we decided to use floral designs as, in the past, flower petals were used to produce makeup. The Fire Nation's logo can be seen in the background of the third piece of art, which is based on the fire temple. Last but not least, as the martial arts piece was inspired on Kung Fu Panda, I designed and painted some bamboos.
Final Artworks
Then after that Anna took two illustrations which were the Fire Temple Building and the Martial Arts while I took Mulan (Make-up) and the Warrior Uniform. We also tried our best to communicate with each other so that our works wouldn't differentiate drastically.
Here's the results for one of the artwork based on Mulan's make up in the movie. The idea was to represent Mulan wearing the actual traditional Chinese inspired make-up.
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| Figure 1.9 Mulan artwork, 23rd February 2023 |
Rationale
Mulan’s exaggerated look is a representation of ancient Chinese make-up. Initially, in the show they portrayed make-up styles popular during the Tang Dynasty (618 to 907 CE) which is called “E-huang makeup”. However, we found out that her make-up in the cartoon did not show the most accurate representation of the make-up style during the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, this illustration is to show a more accurate representation of Tang Dynasty make-up style. Distinctive features such as the erhuang (yellow forehead) and huadian (ornamental forehead markings) are said to have originated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386 to 589 CE), which is when Mulan’s story is set.
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| Figure 2.0 Warrior uniform artwork, 25th February 2023 |
Rationale
The outcome of the painting shows the brigandine armor worn by both the banner soldiers and cavalry units of the Qing Dynasty military. By the late 19th century, since Ba Sing Se is mostly inspired by the later years of the Qing Dynasty, the armor that the Earth King’s guards wear is likely just as decorative. This final design of the Earth Kingdom warrior paintings combines both uniform elements found in the cartoon version of “Earth Kingdom Armor” and with the real life decorative version. The biggest comparison of both based on our research is the pattern and colors.Therefore the painting illustrates the head part following the cartoon and body following the real life version with more detailed patterns and brighter colors.
In the background of the paintings is a pattern of ancient Chinese coins aligned together. It was used during the end of the Zhou dynasty and the beginning of the Han dynasty. People passed a rope through the holes to tie coins into strings. These strings were usually in groups of 100 coins (called diao) or 1000 coins (called guan). In English, they are often known as ‘cash coins’. In Chinese they are known as ‘qian’ (an old name for coin) ‘tongqian’ (which translates literally as ‘copper coin’) or ‘wen’ (another old name for coin). We use it in the background to allow viewers to feel more pulled into ancient Chinese history.
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| Figure 2.1 Fire Temple artwork, 25th February 2023 |
Rationale
The outcome of the painting shows The Crescent Island Fire Temple in the cartoon of Avatar was a five-tiered pagoda built atop a craggy hill on Crescent Island in the outer Fire Nation. The main source of inspiration for the Temple of Fire is the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, China. Yellow Crane Tower is a traditional Chinese tower. The current structure was built in 1981, but the tower existed in various forms as early as 223 AD. The tower has different architectural features in different dynasties. However, the tower that stands today was designed according to the Qing Dynasty.
The difference from the cartoon lies in the overall color, column structure, window details and roof. The most obvious difference is mainly in the color, which in the cartoon is dark black with a contrasting color to the roof, while in real life it is golden yellow overall. So in the final artwork, the roof of the temple in the cartoon is the essence, so we kept this element, and then combined it with the Yellow Crane Tower in real life. We used red as the main colour since this colour represents prosperity but also is known to repel evils.
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| Figure 2.2 Martial arts, 25th February 2023 |
Rationale
The Chinese martial arts have existed for more than 4 thousand years ago and can be traced to the Xia Dynasty. It is originally used for self defense, hunting activities and military training in China. Martial arts were divided into five styles based on the animals Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Leopard and Snake.This form of Chinese martial art is known as the Shaolin Kung Fu, which was named after the Shaolin temple.
The Furious Five in Kung Fu Panda are based on real-life martial arts styles. This film focuses on the animals living in ancient China where it is no doubt filled with Chinese culture. They are a team of five warriors, all of whom practice a distinct form of kung fu. These animals are Tiger, Mantis, Snake, Crane, and Monkey. Each character’s fighting style suits the type of animal that they are.
The painting shows three different kung fu styles: the crane, tiger and snake. All layered together, emphasizing the technique and the look of each style. Three different colors are used to distinguish each style. The blue outline is showing a crane kung fu style, where movements replicate a crane ( crane head strikes & crane wind blocks). Secondly, the tiger style which is shown in the orange outline. The hands are curled up and shaped like a claw to attack enemies. Lastly, the snake style outlined in green. This style mainly uses the fingertips to attack mainly the eyes and groin.
Figure 2.3 Final Artworks PDF, 25th February 2023
Poster Presentation
Google doc link used to gather information:
Google drive link where all the artworks are present: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-HhyXu9qctVdKC9GSpkSZMasAOuVstk-?usp=share_link
After finalising our project, we summarised everything on a poster as required.
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| Figure 2.4 Final Poster Presentation, 25th February 2023 |
Figure 2.5 Final Poster Presentation PDF, 25th February 2023
FEEDBACKS
Week 2:
General feedback:
Go with your last topic. However, the current research you showed in the deck only showing example and you guys describing what elements are in the example. You need to angle your topic now into cultural significance that will help you look at the topic as visual culture.
Week 4:
General feedback:
The ideas are pretty good. Good research. However try to find a reason to why we chose the mediums that we did such as why we chose the lanterns to display our work etc..
Week 6:
General feedback:
- what actually is the significance of the lantern
- it can be abstract
- suggestion: can create individual artboards for the outcome
- e.g Chinese ink painting, use like very abstract elements (line, shapes) that represent the makeup, martial art, etc - as long as the essence are captured
REFLECTIONS
Week 1-8:
This course was surprisingly not as hard as I thought it would be. I found it interesting to learn about the different cultures that usually I wouldn't bother to go and look them up on the internet. Working in a group made it easier to learn how to gather data, create rationale, and other skills. Eventually, the hardest part was coming up with original concepts that were neither too simple nor too unrealistic for us to execute. Looking up for information and doing research wasn't as taxing either due to the amount of hands on deck. The only thing that I would find quite tiring was that mostly me and my teammate Anna had to do the sketches for the proposal and also all the illustrations for our final project. This was quite a pain to do since we had to think of how to improve the sketches given to us by our other teammates. It was indeed tiring but at least the others contributed in other ways such as mounting the slides and doing most of the writing part.
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