Intercultural Design - Final Project & Portfolio
INSTRUCTIONS
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PROJECT 1:PROPOSAL
Research Background
Cross-cultural design is an important approach to modern product innovation. This project explores the fusion of Japanese Geta and Chinese straw sandals, integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern materials and needs to create footwear that combines cultural value and practicality.
1. Japanese Geta
Origin: Originally from southern China, later introduced to Japan and developed into a unique form.
Purpose: Initially used in wetland and rainy conditions to keep feet dry, later became a status symbol for geishas, maikos, and samurais.
Characteristics:
1.Elevated wooden sole, suitable for humid environments.
2.Structurally stable but generally less comfortable.
3.Made primarily of wood (such as cypress), with fabric or leather straps.
Comparison of different types of Japanese Geta:
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| Fig1.1 |
2.Chinese Straw Sandals
Origin: Dates back over 7,000 years, widely worn by soldiers, farmers, and commoners in ancient China.
Purpose: Commonly used in the hot and humid southern regions due to their lightweight and breathable nature, suitable for long walking durations.
Characteristics:
1.Made from natural materials such as straw and hemp rope.
2.Lightweight and flexible but less durable.
3.Modern use: Still produced as handicrafts or stage props.
Historical records of ancient Chinese straw-woven sandals.:
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Fig1.3 |
Research Methods
To gain a deep understanding of Japanese Geta and Chinese straw sandals, we employed the following research methods:Questionnaire Survey.
Objective: Analyze modern consumers’ awareness, interest, and purchase intentions regarding traditional footwear.
Participants: 20 individuals aged 18-45, with a balanced gender distribution.
Survey Findings:
1.64% of respondents were unfamiliar with the history of Japanese Geta or Chinese straw sandals but were interested in their design.
2.78% stated they would consider purchasing improved versions of traditional footwear if they were more comfortable.
3.50% believed such footwear could be suitable for everyday wear, while the other 50% thought it was more fitting for special occasions (e.g., cultural events).
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| Fig1.5 |
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| Fig1.6 |
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| Fig1.7 |
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| Fig1.8 |
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| Fig1.9 |
PROJECT 2:FIELD STUDY
Analysis of Research Findings
Japanese Geta vs Chinese Straw Sandals
Geta: Structurally stable but less comfortable, suitable for formal occasions.
Straw Sandals: Lightweight and breathable but less durable, ideal for long-distance walking.
Modern Consumer Needs: A fusion design balancing comfort and aesthetics is highly desirable.
On-Site Investigation
Visited traditional footwear markets to observe consumer demand trends.
Explored museums to document the craftsmanship and material evolution of historical footwear.
Photos from traditional footwear markets:
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| Fig2.1 |
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| Fig2.2 |
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| Fig2.3 |
Interviews with Others
To better understand public perception, we conducted interviews with individuals from different backgrounds. The following three questions were asked:
1. Do you know anything about Japanese Geta or Chinese Straw Sandals?
Many visitors were somewhat familiar with Geta, often seen in Japanese cultural depictions.Fewer people knew about Chinese straw sandals, though some associated them with farmers and historical warriors.
2. These traditional footwear styles are slowly disappearing. Do you think they should be preserved?
Most participants believed they should be preserved as cultural heritage.Some felt they hold artistic and historical value, even if not widely used today.
3. If these traditional footwear styles became a trend in modern fashion, would you support it?
Many viewers showed interest in modernized versions if they were comfortable and stylish.Some saw potential in sustainable fashion, emphasizing eco-friendly materials.
Interview Video:
FINAL PROJECT
Data Collection:
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Final Proposal:
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Tiktok Video:
https://www.tiktok.com/@everyday.design1?_t=ZS-8urMcFbS0KV&_r=1
Presentation Video:FEEDBACK
Week 1: Explore the design theme, find inspiration, and form a group to discuss.
Week 2: Find some innovative ideas, determine the theme with the help of the professor, and carry out basic division of labor and cooperation.
Week 3: Get basic information from the Internet, start practical learning, explore museums and obtain historical records.
Week 4: Summarize basic materials and make a presentation. Exchange and discuss the collected materials and make plans for the next step.
Week 5: Set up a questionnaire and conduct a sampling survey among the crowd.
Week 6: Conduct interviews and conclude the collection of materials.
Week 7: Based on the collected materials, interviews, questionnaires, etc., summarize them into a video, post them on tiktok, and complete the blog.
REFLECTION
Experience:
By forming groups, proposing ideas, and determining directions, our group divided the work and cooperated to make our research more efficient. Regarding the relationship between clogs and straw sandals, we first chose to go to museums and sample online, and then added social surveys and random interviews to supplement the evidence. Through the cooperation and efforts of the team members, we successfully completed this project.
Observations:
During the exploration, we found that the most difficult part was to select the most needed information from the countless materials. How can we connect straw sandals and wooden clogs? How to understand the homology between Chinese and Japanese culture? How to reflect this research topic through straw sandals and wooden clogs? For this reason, we read a lot of relevant materials.
Findings:
Straw sandals and wooden clogs are the heritage of Chinese and Japanese cultural traditions. By studying these two specific objects, we can find that they have amazing similarities in terms of "knots" and "uses". Combined with history, we can understand more deeply and clearly that Japanese culture was deeply influenced by the Tang Dynasty in China, and then combined with local customs, it slowly evolved into the Japan we know today.
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