Contextual Inquiry Report "Culture and Graphic Design"

Contextual Inquiry is one of subject that supports the students for doing research about graphic design. Identifying a question about graphic design and searching for the answers can help me to know more about graphic design, add knowledge and experiences.

The method that I use for doing the research are by doing research in internet, research on 5 graphic design books and also doing survey.

For getting an accurate answer, I also put some examples that can support my studies and my research.

identity

graphics-design

My topic for this report is about CULTURAL IDENTITY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN. I identify how the culture identity can influence graphic design. This research is supported by the reality of differences every country has different culture. I want to know whether the differences have impact to the designers when they are creating an artwork.

Before doing the research, I decide to discuss about colors, shapes, and ornaments changes because of culture influences. The reason why I choose them, because colors, shapes and ornaments are the important parts of graphic design. Colors, shapes and ornaments are usually used in graphic design and can support the graphic designers to create their designs.

COLORS

Color has important role in graphic design, because color is mot only for creating an artwork looks more interesting, but color can also be the tools to convey the message of an artwork. Moreover, color can also help the graphic designer to give different sensation into their designs.

This statement can be supported that every color has different meaning in every country. For example is red color in Western culture is used for danger, love and passion, but in Chinese culture, they use red color for luck, good fortune and prosperity. That's why, when they are celebrating Chinese New Year, they like to use red color for the decoration.

Another example is orange color in Western culture and India culture. In Western culture, they use orange for celebrating Halloween season, but in India, they use orange for celebrating Deppavali.

SHAPES

Same with colors, shapes also have different meanings in every country. This statement has been supported by the some examples, such as, the circle meaning in Chinese culture. Circle is the symbol of unity, balance and unification. Whereas, in Western culture, circle is the symbol of mother's womb, encompassing, whole and nurturing.

Square meaning in Chinese culture is to keep positive energy flowing, but in Western culture, square means balance, order and structure.

ORNAMENTS

Similarly to colors and shapes, ornaments can be also affected by different cultures. Ornament is the combination between shapes and colors. From these two important elements, the ornament can help to tell a culture from one of a country. The ornament in graphic design can give different style to other designs.

chinese style

indian style

The left side is the picture of card design which use Chinese ornament and the right side is using Indian ornament.

Indian ornament likes using the shape of flowers, but in the shape of flowers, they also put lines to create the pattern.

By doing this comparison, I know and have find the answer of this question. The conclusion of this report is that cultural identity can influence the way graphic designers to create their own design.

The survey result also says that almost of graphic designers use their own cultures into their designs. By this evidence, culture in every country has different way to convey their message, according to what they have believed.