Minor Project · Warisan XR
| Instruction
| Weekly Progression
We officially kicked off our contextual research phase this week. Each of us was assigned different topics related to our client’s project: an AR cultural exhibition in Istana Satu. We created a Miro board and divided the work across themes like cultural background, site history, AR technology, and user engagement.
For my part, I focused on researching museums that use AR technology and explored Malaysia’s National Heritage themes. This helped us understand the cultural context better and ensured we didn’t end up in a situation of “I don’t know what I’m doing.” Learning the background first gave us a strong foundation to build on later.
This week, we updated our Miro board with deeper insights. I added more research on Malaysian exhibits and events that use AR. Surprisingly, I discovered many cultural elements in Malaysia I hadn’t heard of before, and I was honestly amazed by how well some local exhibitions implemented AR.
This experience reminded me how essential research is at the start of any project. Studying case studies gave me a broader perspective, and that insight will definitely influence my design thinking moving forward.
We wrapped up the contextual board this week by making sure our content was clear, visual, and well-organized. I also helped my teammates explore deeper angles in their research, especially if I spotted something that had survey potential. Collaboration played a big role in helping us refine everything.
We created our first batch of user personas based on early research and assumptions. I enjoyed thinking about who our audience might be — what they expect from a museum, how they interact with exhibits, and what motivates them. This step really shifted my mindset into a more user-centred approach. Also, we have prepared the survey form of online survey and the interview quetions.
We had a consultation to improve our survey questions before heading to Muzium Negara. I helped prepare the questions and contributed during the visit by capturing photos and videos of AR implementations inside the museum. I also approached visitors for interviews and invited them to complete our survey.
This direct interaction helped me connect more deeply with the needs and behaviours of museum visitors. I especially liked the idea of building an empathy map based on their pain points — it made our insights feel more grounded and meaningful.
Once we compiled our survey data, we moved on to the analysis phase. This was honestly one of my favourite parts — seeing how the raw data translated into real design directions. I began to understand the power of data analysis and how it can clearly guide our next steps.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the site visit due to a clash with a school programme. I was quite disappointed, but I’m grateful my teammates went and gathered detailed documentation. The client’s expectations also gave us clearer direction on what to focus on going forward.
This week, we worked on our first proposal idea, which focused on ancient Malay palace culture. It was a concept proposed by Jie Xuan, but Mr. Mike felt it wasn’t deeply connected to cultural storytelling. So, we decided to pivot and come up with a new idea — something more meaningful and rooted in heritage.
We had our first real client feedback session, and it came with a lot of constructive points:
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We needed to better connect our user research to why we chose Mak Yong — not just because it’s forgotten or from UNESCO.
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The visual design needed to feel more culturally grounded but also attractive to youth.
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We lacked a clear interaction plan and missed opportunities to include gamified elements.
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They encouraged us to explore real Mak Yong practitioners and even suggested possibly capturing a performance using volumetric tech.
This feedback helped us realize that while our idea had potential, it needed stronger cultural roots and a clearer strategy to appeal to our youth target audience.
After absorbing the feedback, I pitched a bold new direction: Mak Yong X Cyberpunk. Since youth are drawn to modern, edgy aesthetics, I thought — why not let cyberpunk tell the story of Mak Yong? But I made sure we weren't just slapping neon lights onto tradition. The core goal was still to honour and retell the Mak Yong story, just through a futuristic lens.
I redesigned the presentation slides from scratch to reflect the new visual direction and worked with Tze Wei on defining our new UX strategy: Immersive, Interactive, and Trendy.
I also:
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Redesigned the user flow and created a new floor plan
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Wrote a fresh story script and drew a new storyboard
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Suggested detailed interactions for each exhibition station
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Researched stage design references from Noh theatre and Kathakali dance
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Handled the overall art direction, sourcing cyberpunk references for the team
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Sketched key visuals for the rhythm game idea
This week, I focused on refining our presentation and working with the team to finalize our content. I also created 3D models for the 5 offerings objects used in the exhibition. These props played a role in our interaction concept and helped bring the idea to life.
| Reflection
Observation |
One of the most striking observations was how crucial early-stage research is in driving the overall project. Our team’s division of contextual research into themes like cultural background, site history, and AR case studies allowed us to see the broader ecosystem around our project. I noticed how easily a project can lose its cultural relevance if it doesn't root itself deeply in the heritage it aims to represent.
I also observed how user research shifted our direction: by actually talking to museum visitors and gathering survey responses, we moved away from assumptions and into insights grounded in real audience needs. This user-focused approach helped us craft more meaningful personas and design strategies.
Findings |
A key finding from our user engagement efforts was that youth audiences seek experiences that are interactive, immersive, and visually stimulating. This insight guided our pivot toward a more experimental concept: “Mak Yong X Cyberpunk”. However, this also raised the challenge of maintaining cultural authenticity while being innovative.
I found that it’s possible to create a strong connection between traditional heritage and contemporary aesthetics by using creative storytelling, immersive environments, and interactive tech like AR. We developed strategies around rhythm-based games, emotional storytelling, and immersive staging to express the spirit of Mak Yong in a futuristic, relatable way.
Personal Creative Fulfilment |
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the chance to explore the cyberpunk art style, which is my personal favourite. I truly enjoyed working with the neon tones, sci-fi references, and futuristic interfaces. It felt like a perfect blend of my own interests with the project's goal to engage youth through design.
I was genuinely satisfied with the final poster design, which visually captured the mood and atmosphere I had envisioned. Additionally, I took full ownership of the presentation slide design, ensuring that everything was not only consistent but also visually striking. Working on the user story strategies and storyboard development also gave me a chance to apply my narrative thinking and UI/UX flow knowledge in a creative, experimental way. Seeing all these elements come together as a unified vision was extremely fulfilling.
What I Learned |
Context is everything: Cultural design must begin with in-depth research. Knowing “why” we are doing something makes the “what” and “how” stronger and more meaningful.
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User research is not optional: Interviews, surveys, and on-site observations offer invaluable input. They don’t just support the design — they shape it.
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Feedback is a design tool: While critique can sometimes feel discouraging, I learned how constructive feedback helped improve the project and push our thinking further.
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Balance is key: It’s possible — though challenging — to merge creativity and cultural sensitivity. I learned how to experiment with aesthetics (e.g. cyberpunk) while still respecting and highlighting traditional values.
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Collaboration is a skill: From presentation design to UI/UX, teamwork and clear communication were essential. I improved not just my technical skills, but also how I manage responsibilities and guide a concept visually.
Context is everything: Cultural design must begin with in-depth research. Knowing “why” we are doing something makes the “what” and “how” stronger and more meaningful.
User research is not optional: Interviews, surveys, and on-site observations offer invaluable input. They don’t just support the design — they shape it.
Feedback is a design tool: While critique can sometimes feel discouraging, I learned how constructive feedback helped improve the project and push our thinking further.
Balance is key: It’s possible — though challenging — to merge creativity and cultural sensitivity. I learned how to experiment with aesthetics (e.g. cyberpunk) while still respecting and highlighting traditional values.
Collaboration is a skill: From presentation design to UI/UX, teamwork and clear communication were essential. I improved not just my technical skills, but also how I manage responsibilities and guide a concept visually.
This project gave me a real taste of what it’s like to design for culture, for real users, and with a real client. It reinforced my belief that good design is not just about creativity, but about research, empathy, and intention. Being able to explore my love for cyberpunk design while contributing meaningfully to a cultural narrative was an ideal creative experience — and I believe the methods and insights I’ve gained here will continue to shape how I approach future design projects.
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