- Introduction
1.1 Personal Background
As a junior in the Department of Industrial Design of Shandong Institute of Arts and Crafts, my love for design began when I was a child, disassembling and reassembling toys. As I grew older, this passion gradually translated into a dedication and pursuit of industrial design. In the study of the college, I not only mastered the basic skills of design, but also deeply realized that design is not only a combination of form and function, but also a reflection of culture and the times. My design practice is deeply influenced by contemporary culture, which prompts me to constantly explore and reflect on how to integrate cultural elements into my design to create works that are more relevant to the times.
1.2 The Purpose and Significance of Reflection
In the context of globalization, the cultural intermingling of the design field is becoming more and more frequent. As designers, we not only have to face the inheritance and innovation of local culture, but also deal with the influence and integration of foreign culture. This report aims to reflect on and summarize the strategies I have adopted in my practice as a designer and how these have helped me deal with the influence of contemporary culture. In particular, I will share my experience of working with the Spanish workshop, including the challenges and difficulties in the process of working together, and how I overcame them through design strategies. This research is of great significance for understanding cultural adaptation in design practice, and also provides valuable experience for international design collaboration.
- Strategies for cultural integration in design practice
2.1 Excavation and innovation of local culture
In my design practice, I pay special attention to the excavation and innovation of local culture. As the hometown of Confucius, Shandong has a profound cultural heritage. I try to integrate elements of Confucian culture, such as harmony and benevolence, into the design, so that it not only has a practical function, but also conveys a deep cultural connotation. For example, in a project with a workshop in Spain, I proposed a design that combines traditional Chinese painting and color palette with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly in Spain, which was not only recognized by my Spanish peers, but also provided me with a new perspective on cross-cultural design.
2.2 Borrowing and absorbing foreign cultures
I deeply understand the importance of borrowing and absorbing foreign cultures for design innovation. Spanish design is known for its exuberant and vibrant colors, and these characteristics are reflected in their designs. I learned how to combine the Spanish design language with the local culture to create designs that are both international and local.
2.3 Cross-cultural communication and collaboration
In the process of working with the Spanish workshop, language and cultural differences became the biggest challenge we faced. To overcome this obstacle, I employ a variety of strategies. First of all, I improved the efficiency of communication with Spanish designers by using local social media software. Second, I use visual aids, such as sketches and models, to compensate for the lack of language. In addition, I actively checked the schedule, and since the Spanish group also had students studying in Mexico, we had to manage to cross the time difference between three different places for our online meeting, which was difficult, but we did it in the end.
2.4 Internationalization of design thinking
I realized that the internationalization of design thinking was essential to deal with contemporary cultural influences. I strive to develop a global perspective and pay attention to international design trends, especially the design of other groups in the global studio, the Turkish group (team
10) The design left a deep impression on us. At the same time we also had a video chat with them and they helped us with a solution, which I am very grateful for. I also try to apply international design concepts to local design. This cross-cultural design philosophy makes my work more innovative and competitive.
- Challenges and responses under the influence of contemporary culture
3.1 Lack of cultural identity
In my design practice, I often face the problem of a lack of cultural identity. In order to solve this problem, I have strengthened the cultural connotation and identity of the design by deeply studying the local culture and integrating its essence into the design.
3.2 Culture clash in design practice
Cultural clashes are inevitable in design practice. By respecting and understanding the values of different cultures, I find common ground between cultures, effectively resolve cultural conflicts, and create harmonious and unified design works.
3.3 Combination of technology and tradition
Under the influence of contemporary culture, it has become a challenge to combine modern technology with traditional design. By studying the fusion of traditional handicrafts and modern manufacturing techniques, I have explored a design path that combines traditional aesthetics with modern functionality. For example, the combination of billiards and modern board games, and the addition of comfortable materials, so that they can be more entertained by the elderly.
- Design practice and cultural influence
Cultural adaptation is a central consideration. As an industrial design student at Shandong Institute of Arts and Crafts, I know that design is not only about creating beautiful products, but also about conveying a culture and values. Here are some of the culturally adaptive strategies I have adopted in my design practice:
Extraction and application of cultural elements: In cooperation with the Spanish workshop, I delved into the elements of Chinese and Western cultures that can be integrated with each other. For example, I combine traditional Chinese patterns with Spanish colors to create designs that are both Chinese and international, which is a kind of color matching game. This cross-cultural design concept not only enriches my design language, but also enables my work to be accepted and appreciated by collaborators from different cultural backgrounds.
Localization of design language: In my design practice, I pay special attention to the localization of international design language. This means that while maintaining the universality of my design, I strive to make my design work reflect the cultural characteristics of China. For example, in a project with a Spanish designer, I came up with a design proposal that incorporated traditional Chinese symmetry while maintaining a modern feel, which was highly praised by the Spanish team.
Cultivating cultural sensitivity: In working with workshops in Spain, I realized that cultural sensitivity is essential for designers. I have increased my cultural sensitivity by participating in cultural exchange activities, reading relevant books, and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. This allows me to better understand and respect the differences of different cultures, thus avoiding cultural misunderstandings and conflicts in my design.
- The influence of contemporary culture on design
Contemporary culture has had a profound impact on design practice, and here are a few reflections on that influence:
Balance between globalization and localization: In the context of globalization, designers need to find a balance between maintaining the global appeal of their designs and their local characteristics. Only by studying international design trends and combining them with local culture can design works be internationally competitive and not lose the roots of local culture.
Impact of digital technology: As digital technology has evolved, design practices have also changed. I actively learn and apply the latest digital design tools, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, to improve the efficiency and quality of my design. The final prop we used to shoot the video was to model the Spanish team’s plan as a whole and then 3D print it. The end result is amazing. At the same time, I also think about how to combine these techniques with traditional craftsmanship to create unique design pieces.
Sustainability considerations: Contemporary culture is increasingly focusing on sustainability, which has also had an impact on my design practice. I consider the choice of materials, the environmental impact of the production process, and the life cycle of the product in my design to create designs that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Reflection of social issues: Design is not only a business activity, but also a reflection of social issues. In my design practice, I try to solve social problems through design, as the Spanish team asked, Alzheimer’s disease is not just a disease, why it happens, why its incidence is increasing, these are all things that need to be paid attention to as a designer. We need to be socially responsible.
In short, through the writing and reflection of this report, I have become more clear about my role and responsibilities as a designer under the influence of contemporary culture. I will continue to explore and practice, in order to achieve a deeper level of cultural integration and innovation in the field of design, and contribute to the development of the design industry.