Intercultural Design

 E-PORTFOLIO: Intercultural Desgin


Name: Lee Jong Yun / 0358356

Module: GCD 61304 / Information Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Project: Proposal, Data Collection & Final Project

LECTURES

Week 01 - Culture & Design Lecture Slide, Week 01 (05/02/2026)

Week 02 - Culture, Design & Research Lecture Slides, Week 02 (12/02/2026)

Lecture Notes: Design is not merely about aesthetics; it is about functional empathy. As designers, we must avoid "visual offense"—which, for the elderly, often manifests as confusing or overwhelming information environments. Research is the bridge that unites the theory of aging with the practice of wayfinding.

The Research Process: 1. Secondary Findings: Investigating DBKL 2030 aging population statistics and global inclusive design standards (e.g., London’s Elizabeth Line). 2. Primary Findings (Initial): Sketches of the "Unbroken Thread" and early floor-pathing concepts. 3. Primary Findings (Post-Proposal): On-site observations at KL Sentral and surveys with elderly commuters regarding "Navigational Anxiety."

PROJECT 01 - Proposal

In this module, the theme was "Cultural Sensitivity in Design." My focus was on the "Silver Generation" of Kuala Lumpur—a demographic often ignored in fast-paced urban tech developments. I proposed a wayfinding system called "The Silver Guide."

The 3 Initial Ideas:

  1. A mobile app for senior navigation (Discarded: Too much digital friction).

  2. A tactile station map brochure (Discarded: Difficult to read while walking).

  3. The Golden Pulse: A light-based, biophilic floor-pathing system (Finalized).

Week 02 Proposal: The proposal focused on "The Organic Spine"—using architectural curves and light to guide users intuitively, reducing the need for cluttered textual signage.

PROJECT 02 - Data Collection

Beginning in Week 04, I conducted field studies at major transit interchanges in Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral and Bukit Bintang).

Artifacts Collected:

  • Visual Artifacts: Photographed the "Visual Noise" of current backlit advertisements that drown out exit signs.

  • Oral Artifacts: Conducted short interviews with commuters over age 65. One key insight: "The signs are there, but I'm too busy looking at my feet to make sure I don't trip." * Textual Artifacts: Researched the "Matchawan" standards for high-contrast legibility.

Week 05 Data Collection: Analysis of survey data showed a 76% preference for floor-based light guidance. This validated the transition from a purely visual project to a sensory, tactile project.

PROJECT 03 - Final Project

For the final project, I developed the "Organic Spine" ecosystem. The workload was divided into three core design outcomes:

  1. Environmental Design: A subterranean transit atrium featuring white ceramic ribs and emerald greenery landmarks.

  2. Product Design: The Tactile Info-Pod—an interaction kiosk using warm bamboo and physical gold-anodized buttons instead of touchscreens.

  3. Information Mapping: A "User Journey" storyboard following a senior citizen’s path through the station using the Gold Pulse Path.

The Physical/Digital Outcome: A 10-page Digital Portfolio documenting the "Naturalist" material palette, haptic floor logic, and the final 2026 vision for KL’s inclusive mobility. I was in charge of the 3D environmental renders and the technical assembly diagrams.


MODULE REFLECTION: INFORMATION DESIGN (GCD 61304)

1. Personal Reflection & Observations "Before starting this module, I viewed Information Design as a purely aesthetic task—making data look 'clean.' However, through the development of The Silver Guide, my observation of the built environment changed. I realized that in a city as fast-growing as Kuala Lumpur, 'Visual Noise' is a form of pollution that actively excludes the elderly. Observing seniors at KL Sentral taught me that design empathy isn't about sympathy; it’s about identifying physical and cognitive friction points—like the fear of tripping or the inability to read small text in high-heat environments—and solving them through sensory logic."

2. What I Learnt Through This Module

  • Research as a Foundation: I learnt that a project rationale is only as strong as its data. Using "Primary Findings" (surveys and interviews) allowed me to pivot from a digital-screen solution to a tactile, light-based system that actually serves the user’s needs.

  • Cultural Sensitivity is Universal: I learnt that cultural sensitivity isn't just about heritage; it's about the "Culture of Ability." Designing for 2026 means acknowledging the demographic shift toward an aging population and ensuring urban mobility remains a right, not a privilege.

  • The Power of Materiality: I learnt how to use materials (Palette A: Ceramic, Bamboo, Greenery) to communicate safety and coolness. Materiality is a language that speaks to the subconscious, helping users feel "at home" in a high-tech transit hub.

  • Translation of Theory into Output: This module taught me how to take a complex academic theory (Biophilic Wayfinding) and translate it into a tangible design outcome, such as the Organic Spine atrium and the Haptic Info-Pod.

3. Conclusion & Future Application "This module has fundamentally shifted my design process. I no longer start with 'How does this look?' but rather 'Who does this exclude?' Moving forward into my career in Creative Media, I will carry the habit of rigorous research and sensory-led design to create work that is both beautiful and inclusive."

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