Intercultural Design : Project 2 - Field Study & Data Collection


Week 3 - Week 5 // 26
.2.2024 - 17.3.2024
0356117 // Angel Tan Xin Kei
Intercultural Design // Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Project 2: Field Study & Data Collection

Index

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


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

In the realm of snack preferences, our findings underscore that appealing packaging and cultural interest hold greater significance. The survey 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.  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.
Final Sketch of Yo Bento

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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