1. Instructions
2. Lectures
3. Project 1: Proposal
4. Project 2: Field Study
5. Final Project
6. Feedback
7. Reflection
1. INSTRUCTIONS
Week 1
In the first week, we were introduced to the module which included information on Culture & Design, summarized below:
- Visual Culture refers to the study of visual objects beyond their textual meanings, emphasizing their materiality and the way they interact with people. While designs serve specific functions, they also carry spiritual and metaphorical significance.
- We live in a visual information culture; visuals are processed faster than text.
- People are selective about the designs and information they engage with.
- A design with cultural significance triggers immediate thoughts, but interpretations vary.
- Different audiences have varying levels of visual understanding, requiring testing and surveys.
- Designers must consider cultural nuances, symbolism, and context for inclusive designs.
- Cultural sensitivity affects not just aesthetics, but functionality, usability, and user experience.
Week 2
During this lecturer, we had a guest speaker who talked about Everyday Design from the KL Design festival 2024
- Design is art for consumption, influencing lifestyle and behavior.
- People shape their identity through design choices; no right or wrong, just personal expression.
- Designers should experiment and create flexible, well researched work with strong design fundamentals.
- Authenticity is key, as it reflects individual ideas.
- Everyday design must consider customs, habits, and societal impact.
- Encourage more locals to create international work.
This week, we were given a chance to consult with the supervisor to discuss our progress.
Week 4
We didn’t have physical class this week as we were given time to work on the data collection for our project
Week 5
We were given further information and guidance on how to proceed with our
final project
These were information we acquired from the QnA session
from this week's class:
- A minimum of 5 TikTok videos is required.
- Videos should be short, with a maximum length of 30-45 seconds.
- You can create multiple videos on the same topic.
- Brand your TikTok according to your project and treat it like a real brand.
- Create one e-portfolio for all three tasks (continuous format).
- All group members can have the same content in their e-portfolio, but their reflections must be personal and should cover all three tasks collectively, not individually.
- The final presentation is a recorded presentation but does not need to be uploaded to TikTok.
- For e-portfolio submission, include the link to everyone’s e-portfolio and TikTok page in the final slide.
- The data collection presentation deadline is on Saturday.
Week 6 & 7
No physical class
Week 1
In the first week, our group of six (Gaby, Kat, Aina, Jing En, Ayah and Li Yinuo) was formed. We quickly registered as Group 8 on the Teams spreadsheet and created a group chat for easier communication. On February 12th, we held our first online meeting to finalize our topic, Batik Culture, and soon after, we began working on our proposal.
Week 2
This week, we focused on preparing our presentation. Each member contributed by researching the background of batik culture. We also drafted our script in preparation for the upcoming presentation.
Week 3
On February 22nd, we recorded our presentation via Zoom. The rest of the weekend was spent finalizing and polishing our proposal.
Week 4
To deepen our research, we discussed potential locations for a site visit and finalized our choice, ensuring it aligned with our data collection needs. To deepen our research, we discussed potential locations for a site visit. At first we thought we might just rely on the internet or book researches and surveys but we decided to set an interview and documentation at the Ampang Campus. A school that also has a huge mall dedicated to the famous Malaysian culture, Batik.
Week 5
This week, we conducted our site visit at Campus Ampang. Following the visit, we compiled and summarized the collected data and interviews, documenting our findings in a TikTok video. During the process, we managed to document and interview the sales people in various Batik stores, such as, Captain Batik, Kanoe and Nala.
Our findings compilation:
We chose The Campus Ampang as our location because it's dedicated to showcasing and preserving the culture of Batik. During our visit, they had temporary stands set up to display and sell Batik clothing. In addition, there are more than five Batik stores scattered around the plaza, each offering unique patterns and styles. The staff at these stores were very knowledgeable about Batik, sharing insights about the fabrics, history, and ways to keep Batik relevant today. The atmosphere there was peaceful, refreshing, and welcoming, filled with a strong sense of cultural pride and warmth.
These are the first looks to our final project. What we did is that we would reimagine the designs of Batik patterns and put them into a picture model to see how our final product would look like. Second of all, we've also designed a website as a marketing strategy to spread and attract people to our projects.
We also created more video contents as a part of our final project in our tiktok page. Our video contents would be such as, documentation (mostly based on our interviews), showcasing the environment of Batik stores we visited as part of appreciation to the topic we explored, and finally videos that share knowledge and fun facts about Batik.
6. FEEDBACK
- Will we be focusing on patterns, colors, regions, or other stuff? Batik appears in different cultures, and Batik from Indonesia and Malaysia are distinct from each other.
- The most important aspect is culture—what does Batik represent? What specific elements are we going to analyze?
- It might help to research whether different types of Batik hold different meanings, similar to how kimonos have specific shapes, colors, and floral designs that symbolize different seasons or themes.
- Once we identify the core essence of Batik—its symbolic meanings—we can explore how to apply those elements to modern, everyday design. For example, if sakura flowers on a kimono represent harmony and peace, you might ask: What type of fashion best represents harmony? It could be something comfortable, like a T-shirt. From there, you can incorporate Batik elements into that fashion in a meaningful way.
- By following this process, our team can clearly define our goals and create designs that truly reflect Batik’s cultural essence.
At first, we were confused about choosing the right and specific topic for our project. Initially, we considered Batik in general, but in the end, we decided to focus specifically on Indonesian Batik. Throughout the process, we gradually refined our topic and ideas with the assistance of our lecturer through Zoom meetings. This assistance included clarifications on what we needed to do each week and answers to our questions, helping us better understand and deepen our knowledge of the assignment. Eventually, Mr. Azrizal approved our assignment, allowing us to proceed with the final project.
Experience
Working on this project was a unique and valuable experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I usually prefer working independently, but collaborating with the same team throughout the course taught me the benefits of teamwork. Fortunately, my group was supportive and engaged, making the process enjoyable and productive. This project required extensive research, data collection, and presentation skills, which initially felt overwhelming. However, having a reliable team made problem-solving more efficient. Additionally, I gained insight into different cultural perspectives, particularly the difference between Malaysian and Indonesian batiks, which broadened my understanding of cultural interactions.Observation
Through this experience, I realized the importance of a positive and encouraging team environment in boosting motivation and productivity. Seeing my teammates’ strengths and dedication inspired me to work harder, and observing other groups’ progress pushed me to stay competitive. I also discovered fascinating cultural insights, such as the significance of batik to Malaysian culture, which I initially saw as just simple patterns for clothing but learned are deeply tied to Malaysia's history. Similarly, exploring more about Batik's diverse patterns showed me how culture can be transformed into something modern and recognizable, reinforcing the value of cultural representation in design and daily life.
Findings
This project taught me that successful teamwork relies on strong communication, discipline, and mutual support. A well-balanced team from the start significantly enhances productivity, as every action—no matter how small, affects the group as a whole. I learned to adapt, compromise, and provide constructive feedback while ensuring I remained a dependable member. Additionally, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role of research in producing high-quality work, as selecting credible information is crucial in achieving meaningful results. Beyond teamwork, I also realized that intercultural studies extend beyond traditional arts, showing how cultural elements can be integrated into modern life. Through collaboration, we effectively navigated challenges, reinforced our shared objectives, and successfully completed the project.
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