1 of 13

VCD Unit 2 Outcome 2

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply culturally appropriate design practices and an understanding of the designer’s ethical and legal responsibilities when designing personal iconography.

Cultural ownership and design

How do designers evolve culturally appropriate design practices?

2 of 13

Outcome 2

Culturally appropriate design practices

Investigation of culturally appropriate design practices including representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, presented in one of the following formats:

  • an extended written response
  • short-answer responses supported by visual references
  • an annotated visual report OR
  • a presentation using digital technologies such as an online presentation or interactive website
  • an oral presentation

AND

  • creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises.

3 of 13

There are 3 sections to your report:��1. Describe the ethical and legal responsibilities of the designer and how issues such as ownership and intellectual property impact design practice.��2. Describe and apply culturally appropriate design practices��3. Analyse the work and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers��We will break these tasks down in class with learning activities to help you develop this knowledge�

Task 1

  • an annotated visual report OR
  • a presentation using digital technologies such as an online presentation or interactive website

4 of 13

1. Ethical and legal responsibilities of the designer and how issues such as ownership and intellectual property impact design practice.

  1. Using the resources provided, and your own research, write a summary of the ethical and legal responsibilities of a designer.

  1. Write your understanding/definition of the following terms:
  2. Intellectual Property
  3. Copyright
  4. Design Protection
  5. Trademark
  6. Patent

5 of 13

2. Describe and apply culturally appropriate design practices

Using the resources provided, and your own research, list and describe the 10 “Best Practice Protocols”

You will also be asked to consider these protocols in the design of your own personal iconography in Task 2, so it is important that you understand what the protocols mean.

This site will be very helpful:

https://www.copyright.com.au/about-copyright/indigenous-copyright/

“Traditional symbols, songs, dances, performances and rituals may be a part of the heritage of particular Indigenous language groups and the artists that produce these are custodians of that culture.”

6 of 13

3. Analyse the work and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers

Copyright David Williams/Gilimbaa – design for St Josephs College

Gilimbaa and Nungala Creative are just two of many contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers. Write an analysis of ONE design from each of these design studios (you can do the ones pictured here, or select your own, from their websites) AND a short informative paragraph about these designers, including their main aims, some of their clients, and aesthetic features of their work.

7 of 13

Creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises. �

Task 2

The iconography of a group of people consists of the symbols, pictures, and objects which represent their ideas and way of life. – Collins Dictionary

Exercise 1 – Q. Do the icons at the top of this slide look familiar?

Q. What platform, are they from?

Q. Do you think they are effective without the text?

Hint - We use them every day!

AFL Indigenous jerseys – use of iconography

8 of 13

Creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises.

Exercise 2 – Read the information and watch the video about the process of creating these mapping icons, on this website: https://www.imwaustralia.com/newsroom/aboriginal-icons-and-their-history-through-meaning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz2r0_FQEYs

Q. Why do you think it is important for icons to be inclusive and clearly understood by the intended users?

Q. How do icons help to connect to identity?

What is the meaning behind Aboriginal Icons?

Aboriginal icons are unique to each tribe. Each icon correlates with that tribe’s own specific culture, region and Country; representing their own meaning and language group. These meanings dive deeper through using alternative ways to write down stories of cultural significance, teaching survival and use of the land. Although some Aboriginal painting symbols may look similar from group to group, the meaning may be quite different. Aboriginal icons cover a range of indigenous experiences, places and practices. Therefore, this is a way art is used to communicate which is fundamental to cultural strengthening, allowing customs and beliefs to continue and evolve over time.

9 of 13

Creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises.

Exercise 3 – Explore combinations of design elements and principles to evolve an original graphic icon or suite of symbols that capture elements of your own identity or life story.

Begin with an A3 page of words, drawings, photographs or found images that represent some important aspects of YOU: cultural heritage, place you live, your family, your personality, your interests, things you like.

Design has the potential to express not only the knowledges, histories and traditions of others, but also YOUR own personal connections to culture, community or place!

10 of 13

Creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises.

Exercise 4 – Complete one to two A3 pages of idea generation – visualisation drawings that come from your personal inspiration page!

Play around with the shape of your icons, what imagery you will use, use of thin or thick lines, use of filled in icons, use of negative space, use of different colours.

You should aim to simplify shapes as much as possible, yet keep them recognizable.

Consider qualities such as clarity and consistency, and the capacity to convey meaning through visual language.

11 of 13

Creation of personal iconography in a range of design exercises.

Exercise 5 – Create your final personal iconography in manual and digital formats.

Use GRAPH paper for your manual method, aim for balance, centred/aligned icons.

Your final icon should be unique to YOU!

Use Illustrator for your final digital icon,this application ensures clarity in your final design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWlGTP2FuY for a quick tutorial or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSkhaLNKdX0

https://bezier.method.ac/ will help you practice the pen tool to use in Illustrator!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcq9H5AmJR0

Create a suite of icons tutorial

(You could also use online design apps as an alternative)

12 of 13

Key knowledge

  • ethical and legal responsibilities impacting the work of the designer, such as issues of ownership and intellectual property
  • protocols for the creation and commercial use of Indigenous knowledge in design, including representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
  • culturally appropriate design practices for the creation of personal iconography
  • characteristics and functions of design elements and principles
  • methods and processes used to generate and present original design solutions
  • terminology used to discuss and evaluate culturally appropriate design practices and solutions.

13 of 13

Key skills

  • describe the ethical and legal responsibilities of the designer and how issues such as ownership and intellectual property impact design practice
  • describe and apply culturally appropriate design practices
  • analyse the work and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers
  • select and use a range of appropriate manual and digital methods, media, materials and design elements and principles to develop personal iconography
  • use divergent and convergent thinking strategies to generate ideas and resolve design solutions
  • use terminology aligned with culturally appropriate design practice.