Week 9 | International Design For The International Audience

Design becomes more complicated by the audience that it aims for. A more international audience calls for a more cultural-sensitive design. When aiming for a specific kind of culture, plenty of research needs to be done for the design to be suitable for that particular set of culture. Paper and envelope sizes vary depending on which country it comes from as well as address formats. 

As well as being culturally aware, the design also needs to be politically aware. Colours that are associated with political movements or national flags should be avoided and integrating text in images should also be avoided as it cannot be translated by an online translator. Generic icons are encouraged as well as the allowance of text expansion to make it easier when translated into English.

To make it easier, a product could also have an option of selecting the desired country for the product to be custom made for the user. This way the product will be more specific on the the selected culture and users will be able to experience a more culturally-accurate product.

Different People. Different Ways. Different Styles.

When designing for a different party, there are lot of “rules and regulations” to be carefully observed and followed in order to avoid misunderstanding and disputations. What size should be used? Which font is the most appropriate? Which color should be avoided? And so on. Every little details need to be abided in order to match some of the particular requirements.

Sizes and formats for papers, envelopes, calling cards, and etc; they are vary from each countries, depending on their standard specifications. Besides, addresses formats are differ for each place, which should be properly followed. All these are some of the criteria that needed to be carefully considered and conformed. Try to avoid using fonts or text in any image formats that are hard for the online translator to translate. Some things occurs to be in different meaning in some countries, so better study and at least try to avoid it as it can actually causes misunderstanding or even may lead to some sensitive issues.

These products should be equipped with options of selecting the supposed country so that it’ll corresponds with the selected country accordingly, decreasing the errors and confusions.

Different Culture, Different Design?

Every culture has different understanding and experience from the other. Thus, sometimes the designer need to design according to one’s culture to enable people from other countries could use the product. Some criterias that could be use in designing for different culture are international standard paper sizes, envelope sizes and address format. Try to avoid from using text in any image format because it could not be translated by online translator. Also, allow space for text expansion.

Be sensitive with the signs, colours, symbols used because it could meant an entirely different thing in other culture. Use generic icon instead. Ensure that the product supports various calendar, date and time formats. Make sure it also support various currencies.

Designers could decide on their own whether they wanted to produce an internationally appeal website where everyone from every countries could understand when they access the website/product or tailor-made the website/product according to one’s culture.

Prototyping : ?

A prototype is a mockup or can also be defined as electronic ‘picture’. It allows the stakeholders to interact with an envisioned product, gain experience in realistic setting and explore imagined uses. A prototype is a limited representation.

By prototyping, it gives aids when discussing ideas with stakeholders. It is a communication device among team members as well as an effective ways to test ideas. It clarifies vague requirements.

There are two types of prototypes; Low-Fidelity and High-Fidelity. Low fidelity prototypes do not look very much like the real final product. The materials used are often very different from the final product. This type of prototyping is cheap and quick to produce. It supports the exploration of alternative ideas/designs. Besides, it is important during conceptual design process.

High-fidelity on the other hand looks much more like what the real product would be. It often uses materials that we would expect to be in the final outcome. It is more accurate than low-fidelity prototyping. However, it takes a long time to build and the developers are reluctant to change something they have crafted for hours.