Short answer

Embrace the deliberate combination of diverse materials and perspectives in your design process to create work that is richer, more nuanced, and more capable of fostering genuine intercultural understanding.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Journal of Curriculum Theorizing (2013)
Method: Autoethnographic and theoretical synthesis
Evidence: Moderate effect

By intentionally combining disparate texts, images, and theories, designers can create richer, more nuanced representations that challenge simplistic binaries and encourage broader cultural understanding. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in Journal of Curriculum Theorizing. Using Autoethnographic and theoretical synthesis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Embrace the deliberate combination of diverse materials and perspectives in your design process to create work that is richer, more nuanced, and more capable of fostering genuine intercultural understanding.

Study

Classic DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Embodied Interculturalism: Juxtaposing Diverse Elements to Foster Deeper Understanding

Journal of Curriculum Theorizing · 2013

Key Findings

01Mass media often relies on binary language that limits possibilities for intercultural relations.
02An 'embodied inter/culturalism' can be fostered through the thoughtful integration of diverse personal and academic elements.
03Challenging dominant narratives through creative synthesis can expand the multicultural imagination.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When exploring themes of cultural identity or interaction, intentionally combine personal anecdotes, historical research, and visual metaphors to create a more complex and engaging design outcome.

Project actions

01Consider using a mood board that intentionally clashes different visual styles or cultural references.
02Incorporate personal narratives or testimonials alongside factual information to add emotional depth.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the deliberate juxtaposition of diverse media and theoretical frameworks (auto/ethno/graphic bricolage) be employed to challenge binary thinking and cultivate a more embodied and inclusive interculturalism within design practice?

MethodAutoethnographic and theoretical synthesis

ProcedureThe author reflects on personal experiences and memories from travel, juxtaposing these with academic theories and mass media representations to explore the complexities of intercultural encounters. This is presented as a 'bricolage' of different elements.

ContextIntercultural communication, curriculum theory, personal narrative

Variables

IVMethod of combining diverse elements (e.g., juxtaposition, layering)

DVDepth of intercultural understanding, challenge to binary thinking

CVType of cultural context being explored, target audience

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Offers a unique methodological approach (autoethnographic bricolage).
+Addresses the critical issue of binary thinking in cultural representation.

Limitations

The subjective nature of personal experience can make it difficult to objectively measure the impact of the design.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies heavily on the author's interpretation and synthesis of personal experience and theory. Reliability is low due to the subjective nature of the method.

Think critically

To what extent can a designer's personal experiences truly represent or inform the experiences of others from different cultural backgrounds?

Design Principles

"Design should actively seek to deconstruct simplistic binaries by weaving together diverse narratives and perspectives."

In design practice, this approach moves beyond superficial aesthetics to engage with the complex interplay of personal narratives and broader societal histories. It encourages designers to consider how their work can foster empathy and open up new possibilities for intercultural dialogue.

What This Means for Your Design

Think of combining different things like photos, stories, and ideas from different cultures to make something new that helps people understand each other better, instead of just seeing things as 'us' versus 'them'.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this work when discussing how to incorporate diverse perspectives or challenge stereotypes in your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The concept of 'auto/ethno/graphic bricolage,' as explored by Watt (2013), suggests that the deliberate juxtaposition of disparate texts, images, and theories can challenge simplistic binary representations and foster a more embodied and nuanced understanding of interculturalism. This approach can be applied to design practice by intentionally layering diverse elements within a project to create richer, more complex outcomes that encourage deeper user engagement and critical reflection.

Source

Journal of Curriculum Theorizing

Auto/Ethno/Graphic Bricolage as Embodied Inter/Culturalism: Dis/Locating Stories of Becoming in Encounters With the Other

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about embodied interculturalism: juxtaposing diverse elements to foster deeper understanding?: Embrace the deliberate combination of diverse materials and perspectives in your design process to create work that is richer, more nuanced, and more capable of fostering genuine intercultural understanding. Evidence: Journal of Curriculum Theorizing (2013).
Why does "Embodied Interculturalism: Juxtaposing Diverse Elements to Foster Deeper Understanding" matter for design?: In design practice, this approach moves beyond superficial aesthetics to engage with the complex interplay of personal narratives and broader societal histories. It encourages designers to consider how their work can foster empathy and open up new possibilities for intercultural dialogue.
How can designers apply this research?: Embrace the deliberate combination of diverse materials and perspectives in your design process to create work that is richer, more nuanced, and more capable of fostering genuine intercultural understanding.
What were the main findings?: Mass media often relies on binary language that limits possibilities for intercultural relations.. An 'embodied inter/culturalism' can be fostered through the thoughtful integration of diverse personal and academic elements.. Challenging dominant narratives through creative synthesis can expand the multicultural imagination.
What research method was used?: Autoethnographic and theoretical synthesis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2013 journal from Journal of Curriculum Theorizing.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When exploring themes of cultural identity or interaction, intentionally combine personal anecdotes, historical research, and visual metaphors to create a more complex and engaging design outcome.
What are the limitations?: The highly personal and subjective nature of autoethnography may limit generalizability.