Intercultural Design / Project 1

3.1.2022- 23.1.2022 (Week 1 - Week 3)
Cheryl Voo Yie Qi / 0349878
Intercultural Design / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Project 1 / Proposal

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• Intercultural Design / Project 2
• Intercultural Design / Final Project 
  
  
  
• Lectures
• Instructions
• Proposal
• Feedback
• Reflection

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LECTURES

Week 1 - Netnography

Fig 1.1, Netnography (from lecture video)

Ethnography vs Netnography 

Ethnography 

• First-hand experience
• Participatory
• Face to face
• On-Site
• Observational
  
  

Netnography

• The Internet, social media, online forums, etc.

Fig 1.2, Netnography approach (from lecture video)

• Systematically arrange information, leading to perspective
• Produce the final design for that specific culture

Methodology

Fig 1.3, Methodology (from lecture video)

Inductive
- Confirm the information (From initial understanding)

Deductive

- Don't know much about it, collect more information, then start to think of a hypothesis (From scratch)

Data Collection (3 types)

1. Archive
   - Data without researcher's involvement 
   
   
2. Elicited
   - Co-created by researchers and members
   
   
3. Fieldnotes 
   - Observational and reflective notes
   
   

Data Analysis

Fig 1.4, Data analysis (from lecture video)

Ethical Netnography

• Identify and explain yourself
• Ask for permission 
• Consult with experts / lookup credible references
• Informed consent
• Citation/ Crediting
  
  

Advantages of Netnography

Fig 1.5, Advantages of Netnography, (from lecture video)

Disadvantages of Netnography

Fig 1.6, Disadvantages of Netnography, (from lecture video)

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INSTRUCTIONS

PROPOSAL

Group 5:

1. Tan Tze Lim (Team leader)

2. Yong Li Qing Vernice 

3. Chang Jia Yee 

4. Metta Angelica 

5. Dania Mefiana P.O

6. Cheryl Voo Yie Qi (Me)

After Grouping, we had a group chat in Telegram for easier discussion, then we drop our ideas on "Padlet" to choose our final topic.

Fig 2.1, Padlet, (4/1/2022)

At last, we decided on the topic "Toxic Masculinity". Because it is an interesting topic and it is more like a mental or spiritual culture that make difference from the other physical culture.

We are asked to write a 200-word rationale defining and interpreting the theme in relation to the culture and area of interest.

Our group final rationale:

Toxic masculinity is the culture of males being brought up to subscribe to an idea of absolute masculinity and reject any concepts, behaviours, activities and desires that perpetuate femininity. Some of the masculine traits upheld by this culture include toughness, stoicism, heterosexism, self-sufficient attitudes and lack of emotional sensitivity (Wall & Kristjanson, 2005). It is also a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression (Clemens, 2017). An example of this is the suppressing of emotions from being told from a young age that it is “unmanly” to cry, that sensitivity is a “feminine” trait and that showing emotion is related with “weakness” (Barr & Javed, 2021). Traditional stereotypes about male dominance in society, as well as related characteristics such as misogyny and homophobia, can be considered as "harmful", partly because they contribute to violence and aggression as the male ideal, including sexual assault and domestic violence. In a society that favors boys over girls, the socialization of boys often normalizes violence, such as the saying about bullying and aggression that “boys will be boys” (Menon, 2021). This adherence to traditional masculine ideals and rigid gender roles is linked to the increased incidents of depression and suicide in men and violence against women (Fenwick, 2018). 

Then we come up with 5 preliminary ideas :

1. Interactive storybook

Fig 2.2, Interactive storybook, (7/1/2022)

2. Fashion Collection Documentary 

Fig 2.3, Fashion Collection Documentary, (7/1/2022)

3. Toxic Series Collection 

Fig 2.4, Toxic Series Collection, (7/1/2022)

4. Animated poster/scrapbook

Fig 2.5, Animated poster/scrapbook, (7/1/2022)

5. Puzzle box

Fig 2.6, Puzzle box, (7/1/2022)

After that, we made our proposal slides with contents: 

1. Introduction of Toxic Masculinity
2. The History of Masculinity
3. Problem Statement
4. Research Questions
5. Research Objectives
6. Methods of Data Collection
7. Preliminary Ideas

Fig 2.7, PDF of proposal google slides, (15/1/2022)

And here's our recorded video:

Fig 2.8, Recorded Presentation Video

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FEEDBACK

Week 2 

Specific feedback: 
Good ideas, discuss and figure out among the group to decide which is the most practical for the time frame given and carry on with it. Make sure there is a clear connection between the product and the purpose/theme, articulate it well, no space for doubt.

Week 3

General feedback:
Amend rationale to include the theme of "PURPOSE" as well. Can define purpose personally or use dictionary definition. Intergrate purpose into the culture chosen and produce the rationale.

Specific feedback:
The main purpose is to raise awareness and educate. The research objectives and questions encompass the same intended outcome so it can be summarized into one or broken down according to group's preference. Remember that despite what we learn about the topic, in the end, choose ONE MESSAGE to communicate through the final product."

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REFLECTION

Experience:
I think that our theme is different than what we usually think of, toxic masculinity is more like mental culture and it is different from normal physical cultures. Preliminary ideas are more difficult to think of because we wanted to be more creative and more different than what we can usually think of like posters. But in the end, I think we come up with 5 creative and interesting ideas which are what we want.

Observation:
I observed that toxic masculinity is not something that people would normally pay attention to in normal life because it is already deep-rooted in everyone's mind that men should be tough and strong, and men seem to be used to it, so normally people won't investigate about it.

Finding:
It is quite interesting to have different members from other courses, I think we worked well and brainstormed together and have high efficiency. And even though some of us are from different courses, we still have almost the same idea in our minds on how can we do it better for this module.