Intercultural Design [Project 3: Final]

03.19.2024 - 03.29.2024  / week 5 - week 7

Sheryne Axellia Putri / 0367267 / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Intercultural Design

          INSTRUCTIONS         

Figure 1.1 Week 1 (03/19/2024) Module Information Booklet.


Project 3: Final 
Upon the completion of the research, data collection, participation in all class lectures and tutorials, presentation of a complete proposal, and research data, students are to produce visual design outcomes related to their interpretation of the given theme.


1.1 Ideation
After several discussions, we created a fashion magazine that uses illustrations instead of photography. We see this as our selling point of the magazine because fashion magazines with illustrations are more commonly found in older magazines and we want to be one of the view to bring that back. For instance, Vogue mostly uses illustrations in their older designs. From this, we are also inspired to use a vintage style layout for the magazine as it complements Nyonya Kebaya while contrasting the modern aspects we want to emphasize.

1.2 Rationale
Nyonya Kebaya is not only a fashion magazine. "Vogue Kebaya" highlights cultural sensitivity when traditional clothing is becoming less and less fashionable, honoring this famous item's rich history and exquisite craftsmanship. Through the lens of our magazine, we aim to present Nyonya Kebaya to the younger generation, highlighting its cultural relevance and historical significance. Our goal is to encourage the young generation to apply Nyonya Kebaya to their own way of showing their identity and personality through striking images and gripping storytelling. "Vogue Kebaya" is rooted in a strong dedication to cultural awareness. We understand how crucial it is to preserve and honor traditional clothing in the rich diversity of international fashion. We respectfully and gracefully bridge the gap between tradition and modernity by presenting Nyonya Kebaya in a modern setting while respecting its traditional heritage. In addition to celebrating fashion, "Vogue Kebaya" fosters tolerance and respect for various customs by catalyzing cross-cultural communication.

1.3 Progress   
1a).    Moodboards 

Figure 1.2 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Moodboard for #cover.
  • The concept of taking inspiration from old Vogue cover illustrations for a Nyonya Kebaya cover combines classic and contemporary elements in one single design. Vogue is one of the most influential fashion magazines in the world, and its covers are often works of art in themselves. This blend of old and new will give the cover a unique and timeless quality.
Figure 1.3 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Moodboard for #Layout
  • The beauty of old-fashioned magazines lies in their ability to capture the essence of a specific period. Whether it's the glamorous styles of the 1920s or the bold looks of the 1960s, these magazines offer a glimpse into the past that can fuse old and new timeless look that appeals to a diverse range of fashion enthusiasts. 
  • The layouts of old and new fashion magazines are different. One of the most prominent changes is the use of color. In older magazines, color was often used to draw attention to key passages. The text was often presented in a monospaced, or uniformly spaced, font. On the other hand, newer magazines tend to be much more colorful, using a wider range of fonts and designs to highlight specific content or to create a more visually appealing presentation.
  • Another significant difference is the use of photographs. Old fashion magazines were often limited to black and white images, which could be less evocative and impactful than the high-quality color photographs that dominate newer publications. https://glamobserver.com/the-history-of-fashion-magazines-how-they-operate-and-what-has-changed/

Figure 1.4 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Moodboard for #Gothic model.
  • The combination of goth style with Nyonya Kebaya is a uniquely interesting concept that blends the timeless beauty of cultural clothing with an edgy and contemporary fashion style, with the potential to appeal to a diverse range of fashion enthusiasts.
  • By incorporating goth style elements such as black and white, lace, and leather details, I can create a unique and striking design that highlights the timeless beauty of the Nyonya Kebaya and the edgy, modern goth fashion style.
  • https://inchoobijoux.com/blogs/inchoo-blog/this-history-of-goth
  • Goth style in Asia can be observed in many different forms and styles. In Japan, a unique style is known as "Lolita Goth", which combines traditional Victorian-style dresses with a gothic color palette and accessories.
  • Goth style in Malaysia is a growing fashion trend that combines the dark and mysterious elements of Western goth culture, goth style in Malaysia also encompasses a wide range of cultural influences, including Western goth culture, Japanese manga, and Korean K-pop. These influences can be seen in the music, art, and fashion of Malaysian goth culture, blending the dark, mysterious aspects of Western goth culture with Malaysian cultural elements. 
Figure 1.5 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Moodboard for #Office siren model.
  •  This style is known for its simplicity and sophistication and is often worn by professional women in the workplace. By incorporating this style into the kebaya, a unique and modern twist is added to the classic Nyonya kebaya. This combination of traditional and modern elements creates a versatile design that can be worn for both work and social events and can be easily adapted to any occasion.

1b).    Artworks progress 

  • Cover 
Figure 1.6 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Sketch #1 & sketch #2.
  • #1 is the first sketch, I want the cover to mostly showcase the beauty of the kebaya, the woman is wearing her traditional kebaya and her 'modern' bag and shoes.
  • The #2 sketch is where I zoomed out her body so we can clearly see her full body, with a touch more complex background.
  • I asked my group members which one looked more fitting for our cover, mostly chose the #1 sketch, which I agreed with because the composition and the whole background for the #2 sketch looked too complicated and distracting to showcase the kebaya.
Figure 1.7 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Color bases.
  • For choosing the color palette, I wanted the color to not be too saturated but still not boring for the eyes.
Figure 1.8 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Lineart & coloring.

Figure 1.9 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Adding grain texture.
  • I added the grain texture to make the cover look more vintage and 90s which works really well, I also changed the headline and sub-headline of the cover (I used the Vogue typeface for the headline).

  • Page 1 
Figure 1.10 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Sketching & Lineart.
  • After looking at the cover I want the reader to be greeted with a brief explanation of what this magazine is about with an illustration behind the text that showcases the traditional Nyonya kebaya with the Nyonya "cucuk sanggul" (hair accessories) and shoes.
Figure 1.11 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Coloring.

Figure 1.12 Week 5 (03/19/2024) Adding grain texture.


  • Pages 2 - 3 and other elements 
Figure 1.13 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Page 2 & 3 progress.
  • Pages 2 - 3 are where I will put the list of contents with a large illustration of the kebaya on the background so the reader can take their time to look at the kebaya.
Figure 1.14 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Other elements.
  • I made some illustrations for other elements that I will use in the magazine so it will look entertaining and boring to read.
  • Gothic model
Figure 1.15 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Gothic model #1 Progress.
  • I tried to make her pose to be eerie, I had fun shading her eyeshadows if you couldn't tell.
Figure 1.16 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Gothic model #2 Progress.

  • Office siren Model 
Figure 1.17 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Office siren #1 Progress.

Figure 1.18 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Office siren #2 Progress.

  • Back cover 
Figure 1.19 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Sketch ideas for the back cover.
  • I wasn't sure what I was going for the back cover, the #1 sketch is the woman from the cover running freely with her kebaya, metaphorically she is free embracing her feminine and cultural side.
  • #2 has the same meaning as #1, but with a different take where the woman is comfortably doing her hair in her room still wearing her kebaya, and her wardrobe is full of kebayas. Both #1 and #2 too focused on the character of the woman.
Figure 1.20 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Back cover Progress.
  • Finally, #3 is the fitting illustration for the back cover, it's simple and colorful, which is great because I will add a quote and other text on the back cover. A figure of a woman with her kebaya, the brush strokes are messy but still showcase the beauty of the details of her kebaya.

1c).    Layout progress

Figure 1.21 Week 7 (03/28/2024) Layout progress #1 using Photoshop.
  • At first, I wanted to use Indesign for the layout, but because my Indesign wasn't working my options were Adobe Illustrations or Photoshop, I chose Photoshop because I'm more comfortable using it and I need to reach the deadline of the project.
Figure 1.22 Week 7 (03/28/2024) Layout progress #2 kerning.
  • I had a lot of difficulties/issues when adjusting the kerning of the texts using Photoshop because it is less practical than Indesign when it comes to layout, which I totally didn't almost throw my laptop off.
Figure 1.23 Week 7 (03/28/2024) Layout progress #3.


1d).   Mockup progress

Figure 1.24 Week 7 (03/28/2024) Mockup progress #1.
Figure 1.25 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Mockup progress #2.


1.4 Final Outcomes

1a).   Artwork Outcomes

Figure 1.26 Week 6 (03/25/2024) Artwork outcomes.

1b).   Magazine Outcome
Figure 1.27 Week 7 (03/29/2024) Vogue Kebaya Pdf.


1c).   Product Showcase

Figure 1.28 Week 7 (03/29/2024) Vogue Kebaya PPT slides.




          FEEDBACK          

Week 6  03.25.2024
Specific Feedback, We were given another opportunity to ask for feedback from our supervisors, After showing our artwork progress to Ms. Maria, she reminded us about what purpose is the magazine. She also asked what visual preferences our magazine has, and we told her that our magazine revolved around old vintage magazines influenced by Vogue. She advised us to do research about the layout of old magazines and do research about the style and visual preferences.



          REFLECTION          

Experience
Making a vintage illustrated magazine about the fusion of Nyonya kebaya and contemporary styles was an extraordinary and tiring experience for me. The process of creating the magazine was a collaborative effort, with each team member taking on a specific role. I hope the end result is a visually stunning magazine that perfectly captures the essence of the Nyonya kebaya while showcasing the modern and sophisticated elements that can be added to this traditional design.  that can be enjoyed by fashion enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys the beauty of traditional designs fused with contemporary styles.
This project was not only a creative and inspiring experience for me, but it also allowed me to learn more about both the Nyonya kebaya and contemporary styles. I was able to learn so much about the cultural and historical significance of the Nyonya kebaya. This project has not only improved my knowledge of fashion and design but has also given me a deeper appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of traditional designs. As the leader, I also feel myself to be more professional and understanding towards my team.

Observations
The dedication to research and accuracy for this project is important. It took the time to learn about the cultural and historical significance of the Nyonya kebaya and conducted thorough research to ensure that the magazine was accurate and respectful of the traditional design. This attention to detail was critical to creating a magazine that not only was visually stunning but also informative and educational.

Findings
One of the most significant findings I made while creating this magazine was the importance of respecting the cultural significance of traditional designs. When fusing traditional designs with contemporary styles, it is essential to honor the cultural roots of these designs and ensure that the end result is respectful and appropriate. By conducting thorough research and working with a team, we were able to create a magazine that not only was visually stunning but also honors the rich cultural history of the Nyonya kebaya.







Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Typography [Task 1: Exercises]

Illustration & Visual Narrative [Task 2 : Decisive Moment]

Design Principles [Task 1 : Exploration]