Intercultural Design : Project 2 - Field Study & Data Collection
0356117 // Angel Tan Xin Kei
Intercultural Design // Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Project 2: Field Study & Data Collection
Index
- Instruction
- Lecture - Link to Project 1
- Field Trip
- Interview
- Observation Study
- Data Collection
- Feedback
- Reflection
Instruction
Module Information Booklet
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
Lecture
Field Trip - Observation Study
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. |
Interview
Fortunately, one of our teammates,
Rachel Yeo Ring Qing ,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?
Nakamura YukiQ
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?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1klvBGEuEmFvob6hB8PmUPTnDCujHnJIP/view?usp=sharing
Visual Research:
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 creativee 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.
Data Collection
Week 4
Survey Form
We have conducted survey asking questions based on the
Design System ( Basic Assumption ) & ( Norm and Values).

Responses of Google Form
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Design Preferences and Elements
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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.
Online Consultation:
Data Collection Presentation
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.
After Colouring of Yo Bento |
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
Experience:
Our journey to Osaka was a transformative
experience, providing us with a firsthand
immersion into Japanese culture and traditions.
Venturing into museums, tourism places and
temples, we embarked on a visual exploration of
snack delights themed around yokai and Japanese
folklore. The vibrant displays and intricate
artifacts served as a source of inspiration,
igniting our creativity and fueling our
curiosity. Additionally, our interview with
locals, conducted in Japanese, offered valuable
insights into Japanese famous folklore and
places to seek inspirations of Japanese society.
Observation:
Through keen observation and attentive analysis,
we discerned the subtle interplay between
tradition and modernity within Japanese culture.
Our survey on design preferences and elements
such as kawaii and minimalism really crucial in
providing market insights. Among the diverse
array of options, the bento box emerged as the
most appealing product, resonating with
respondents due to its aesthetic appeal, and
cultural significance. This observation
underscored the enduring allure of traditional
Japanese culinary practices amidst evolving
consumer preferences.
Findings:
Our research culminated in a synthesis of
experiential learning, interviewing,
observational insights, and survey results. We
found that the incorporation of yokai and
Japanese folklore themes in snack delights,
presented within the context of a bento box,
holds significant appeal to consumers. This
fusion of cultural motifs resonates with both
domestic and international audiences, reflecting
a growing interest in Japanese traditions and
aesthetics. Furthermore, our findings underscore
the importance of cultural sensitivity and
authenticity in product design, highlighting the
potential for cultural artifacts to transcend
geographical boundaries and foster
cross-cultural understanding.
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