INTERCULTURAL DESIGN

INTERCULTURAL DESIGN



3/2/2025 - 23/3/2025 / Week 1 - Week 7
An Hongzheng / 0378415
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors University

TASK 1: PROPOSAL (week 1 - 3)
  • FINAL TASK 1 PROPOSAL SLIDES PDF 
  • TASK 1 Reflection

TASK 2: FIELD STUDY (week 4 - 5)
  • Photos/videos documenting our research outside
  • FINAL TASK 2  SLIDES
  • TASK 2 Reflection

TASK 3: FINAL PROJECT
  • FINAL TASK 3 PROPOSAL SLIDES PDF
  • FINAL TASK 3
  • TASK 3 Reflection

Intercultural Design | GCD61304

Project 1: Proposal (30%)
(Week 1 - Week 7) 

TASK 1: PROPOSAL (week 1 - 3)
  • FINAL TASK 1 PROPOSAL SLIDES PDF 
  • TASK 1 Reflection

TASK 2: FIELD STUDY (week 4 - 5)
  • Photos/videos documenting our research outside
  • FINAL TASK 2  SLIDES
  • TASK 2 Reflection

TASK 3: FINAL PROJECT
  • FINAL TASK 3 PROPOSAL SLIDES PDF
  • FINAL TASK 3, TikTok link
  • TASK 3 Reflection

Team Members : Ummehani Kaderbhai ( Leader )
                            Minal Khalid
                            Khadeeja Nuha
                            An Hongzheng
                            Chuah Shu En
                            Shubashini a/p Subramaniam



Task 1

For our 'Everyday Design' project, my group picked Middle Eastern decorative stuff because I love how it’s part of regular life, not just for fancy events. These designs aren’t just pretty—they show who we are, our traditions, and they’re useful too.

We noticed how Middle Eastern style uses cool geometric shapes and fancy writing on things like mashrabiya screens for doors and windows, which keep the sun out and give privacy while looking awesome; tiles in houses and mosques, with detailed patterns that tell old stories and religious stuff; and carpets or fabrics, woven by hand to show off local pride.

My team came up with a proposal and three sketches to show how these things fit into daily life so naturally.

Presentation Slides :


Reflection:

To wrap up Task 1, I started off pretty lost with this assignment, not really getting what to do or how to do it, but after some classes and Q&A chats with our lecturers, things clicked for me. My group kept everything on track with online meetings and tons of texting, and our leader split up the work and set deadlines so we'd finish on time. Working together, we picked "Everyday Designs in Middle Eastern Architecture" as our topic, and I loved tossing in ideas—it made the whole thing fun and eye-opening. I learned a bunch about how those cool decorative designs fit into daily life and show off culture and usefulness.


Task 2: Further Research

For Task 2, my group went all in on our topic by checking out Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan for some real on-the-ground research. I was amazed by how the mosque mixes Ottoman and Malay vibes, with its awesome calligraphy and big domes showing off a perfect mash-up of cultures. Being there in that calm space and picking up on Islamic design ideas really inspired me by the beauty and spirituality which go hand in hand.

Research Method: On-Field Research

Presentation Slides :


Reflection :

For Task 2, my group hit up Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan in Kuala Lumpur to check things out in person, it was awesome getting up close with all those architectural details. I could feel strong Islamic design vibes, the patterns and shapes aren’t just random but tie into something deeper. I chatted with some guides there who explained how the mosque’s look reflects culture and faith in ways I hadn’t thought about. 

Seeing the tiny decorations, crazy detailed designs, and the whole massive setup with my own eyes made our project click for me. It wasn't just about research, it can also spark new ideas like how the domes might echo old trade routes or how the colors might mean more than I guessed, and totally leveled up what we're bringing to this topic.


Task 3

For task 3 we had to created a Tiktok Account around our theme and our on-field research. Summarising the progression of our understanding from task 1 to task 3. We also made :
      - A presentation 
      - Including our 200 word rationale
      - Summary of data collection
      - Progress of our final project - 
        (it could be sketches, digital progression, or anything as long as it shows the progress of your final output - if it's video then your behind-the-scene for example).
      -The Final Report
      - Link to E-Portfolion ( individual links )
      - Link to Tiktok Account

- Then, we recoded us presenting our presentation through video

Presentation Slides :




Tiktok Videos :

           

Reflection : For Task 3, we decided to make a TikTok account to share our studies about "Everyday Design in Middle Eastern Architecture." When we visited Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan, we started to really like the building’s cool designs, like the shapes on the dome and how the sunlight comes inside. Making our research into a fun TikTok video was tough but also nice. We got better at mixing facts with pictures, writing simpler scripts, and editing short videos with smooth switches, words on the screen, and talking, all while keeping people watching. This project made us want to show school things in a simple and fun way. In the future, I’m excited to improve at making videos and find new, fun ways to share school studies.


Overall Reflection :

During our trip of this module, we explored how Middle Eastern artchitecture mix old styles and new idea together that makes people feel both familiar and fresh. This blending is really important because it honors the history and traditions of the region while making sure the buildings meet the needs of people in this new era. For example, traditional features like courtyards and detailed patterns aren’t just there to look pretty, they can actually make life better. Courtyards provide a cool, shaded spot where people can relax or gather with others, especially in a hot climate. The patterns, often carved into walls or tiles, carry cultural meanings, like symbols of faith or nature, that could connect the buildings to the past. One of the highlights during the task of this module is visiting the mosque in Wilayah Persekutuan, that is an amazing experience. We noticed all sorts of beautiful details like the intricate patterns covering the walls, the high, rounded ceilings, and the way sunlight poured in through carefully placed windows. These things make the mosque look stunning, also feel calm and uplifting too. The rounded ceilings can help voices carry clearly across the space. The sunlight streaming in brightened everything up and made the whole place feel warm and inviting, showing how thoughtful daily designs can create special atmosphere. We were also impressed by how the middle eastern artchitecture used water elements and open spaces to improve the environment. The water features, like little fountains or shallow pools, weren’t just decoration, they also cooled down the air around them, which is a smart and useful trick in a hot place. The open spaces, like wide courtyards or breezy hallways, allowed fresh air flow through naturally. This keeps the buildings comfortable without needing as much energy for things like air conditioning. It’s a great example of how old ideas still work perfectly today and help take care of nature at the same time. We saw how new materials and tools are combined with those classic designs to make the function better work. Modern stuff like strong glass, steel, or special concrete gets paired with traditional shapes and layouts. This makes the buildings tougher and more efficient, it keeping out heat or lasting longer while still looking like they belong to the culture. For instance, a mosque might have the same old arched doorways and tile patterns, but now with shiny glass windows that let in light without letting in too much heat. It’s a perfect balance that could keep the spirit of the past alive while embracing the future. In the end, this trip taught us how the everyday design in our regular life is important and why it’s so valuable to find out these designs in person instead of just reading about them. It’s one thing to know about these ideas in your head, but seeing them with our own eyes makes them real, we can feel their beauty and see why they matter. That’s something we’ll carry with us from this experience.


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