27 Feb 2024 - 15 Mar 2024Shim Yi Xun || 0363292
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design GCD 61304
Task 2 - Field Study
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> TASK 2:
- Weekly Progress
- Data Collection PPT
Instruction
Task 2 / Field Study We are required to collect data, such as visuals, and oral, textual and tactile artefacts which will be part of our research materials for the ideation in Task 1(Proposal). All collected materials and artefacts must be recorded, preserved and recorded with necessary information such as their type, purpose, symbolic meaning, cultural/historical background, etc.
Data Collection Methods:
- Observation study
- Interview of relevant stakeholders
- Online/physical materials
Weekly Progress
Week 4
Osaka Study Trip
Before the study trip, we planned the itinerary and route, and determined the locations where data information could be collected.
| Fig 1.1 Itinerary planning list |
Observation Study
We observed some local yokai-themed packaging designs.
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| Fig 2.1 Daruma doll packaging design |
The packaging features the image of a Daruma doll, which is a traditional Japanese doll representing the ancient Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma. Typically, Daruma has an angry expression, but for this product, they have created a smiling cute Daruma with a vibrant colour, making it look more amiable.
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Fig 2.2 Tanuki wine set
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This is a Tanuki wine set, Tanuki similar to a raccoon, but nope, it is a type of yokai from Japanese folklore. The design of this object is inspired by cute aesthetics and also showcases respect towards their yokai culture.
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| Fig 2.3 Kitsune biscuit packaging |
The biscuit was creatively designed with the image of a Kitsune. It even retains its pointed ears in the design, making it eye-catching.Upon closer inspection of the three packages, we found that they all have a charming and cute design, which makes them look innocent and unlikely to scare anyone. The packaging is eye-catching and visually appealing, and the muted colour scheme adds to the overall aesthetic. The cute packaging design style conveys a sense of playfulness and easily allows customers to connect with the product on an emotional level.
Interview
Besides collecting physical materials, we conducted interviews with the locals as well to gain insight from their points of view.
This was a big challenge as we had to communicate with the Japanese, widely known for their limited English proficiency. Fortunately, one of our group members, Rachel Yeo, can speak Japanese very well. We were lucky to have her around so our interview could go smoothly.
#Interview 01
Week 5
Online Visual Research
Some visual references we had found online.
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| Fig 3.1 Online visual references of packaging design |
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We spotted Yokai-themed packaging online that caught our eye. The adorable yokai designs on tea bags, candy jars, and cookie boxes are charming and appealing while capturing the essence of each monster.
Demographic information:
Our research has shown that when it comes to snack preferences, visual appeal and cultural relevance are of greater importance. The survey results highlight a clear trend where consumers prioritize snacks that not only look good but also have a cultural resonance, specifically favouring kawaii and minimalist themes.
Meeting the needs of our target market, we decided to design a bento box with a minimalist and kawaii style.
Week 6
Bento Box Design Sketches
Each member came up with a sketch and we voted to choose our preferred.
We ended up liking the #Sketch 01 and admired the interior design of the #Sketch 03. After combining elements from both sketches, we created a unique hexagonal shape with a "kawaii yokai" pattern. The design uses yokai shapes as dividers for food compartments, enhancing the visual appeal. The hexagon shape was chosen for its aesthetic and functional value in Japanese culture.
Bento Box Final Sketch
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Fig 6.1 Final sketch of the bento box design
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Data Collection Presentation
Week 4
Ms. Noranis gave us some suggestions for places where we could collect physical materials on Yokai themes during the Osaka study trip as so to draw inspiration for our project. She suggested that we observe their packaging design ideas, which would be inspiration and clear concepts in packaging design.
Week 5
During the data collection presentation, Ms. Noranis advised us to try to explore more "kawaii style" if we wanted to hit our target market. She searched for some examples for us and hoped for further development of the bento box design.
Week 6
Our final sketch was approved. Ms. Noranis let us move on to Task 3 with creating mock-ups and suggested doing an advertisement for our bento box, such as a short film, poster, etc, it was up to us.
Experience
Participating in the Osaka study tour is an experience that I believe is truly one-of-a-kind. There is something about being present in Japan and seeing everything with your own eyes that just can't be replicated through online resources. You can feel the rich local culture and atmosphere both physically and mentally, as you immerse yourself in the customs, traditions, and way of life of the Japanese people.
From the bustling city streets to the tranquil countryside, every aspect of Japan is unique and fascinating. The architecture, the food, the language, and the people all contribute to making this trip an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Observation
I observed that most people would prefer the kawaii style. Throughout Task 2, it is evident that the majority of the data and materials we gather are presented in a kawaii style. This reminds me of my previous work, where I was studying the "kawaii culture" trend that has remained popular for over a decade. It is indeed true that cute things tend to have a more profound emotional impact on us.
Findings
It is important to promote culture while being aware of cultural sensitivity and also meeting the needs and preferences of the market. To do this, we must pay close attention to data collection and analysis. These processes help us to accurately measure the final product we want to create, and this information can be used to provide solid evidence that supports our concept.
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