This research is protected under the copyright of RMIT University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). All ideas, content, images, and specific videos are licensed under Creative Commons to safeguard the author’s rights. For any reproduction of this work, including photos and text, please get in touch with the author.
Book from David B. Berman “Do Good Design”, I translated from English to Bahasa Melayu (Malay) 2013.
Background – New to PhD project based.
The project-based PhD is an innovative approach that focuses on practical application and research, differing from the traditional thesis-based format. This method encourages candidates to engage in real-world projects, allowing them to explore and apply their research in meaningful ways. Among the pioneers of the project-based PhD is Prof. Dr. Michael Biggs, whose work has significantly influenced the adoption of this approach in various disciplines. It is more commonly seen in applied sciences, but some institutions in the arts and humanities have begun to adopt this approach as well. I began my PhD as a project-based candidate, a relatively new approach at the time, particularly within the fields of Arts, Social Sciences, and Applied Arts. While project-based PhDs were commonly utilised in the Sciences, such as Engineering and Medicine, they were not widely adopted in the arts. During this period, many universities were still adhering to the traditional thesis-based model for design research.
However, institutions like Swinburne University and RMIT University in Australia had begun to embrace this innovative approach. This presented a unique challenge for me, as I not only had to define my research focus and topics but also navigate the distinctions between a project-based PhD and a traditional thesis-based PhD.
Fortunately, I had the support of an exceptional team at the Faculty of Applied Arts, School of Media and Communication, led by Prof. Dr. Laurene Vaughan and supported by Associate Prof. Dr. Yoko Akama, who was also pursuing her PhD at that time. In this small, dedicated team of enthusiastic and rigorous scholars, including to name a few are Jeremy Yuille (Dr.), Nifelli Ryan (Dr.), Neal Haslem (Dr.), Mike Dunbar (Dr.), Tania Ivanka (Dr.) Keith Deverell (Dr.) , Elizabeth Glickfeld, we embraced the challenge of pursuing our PhDs through a project-oriented direction.
One of the project we worked together was Fashion city in 2006. It was a wonderful experience working together in designing the fashion in the city. Ref: Vaughan, L.,Akama, Y.,Haslem, N.,Ryan, J.,Ivanka, T.,Abd Rahman, Z.,Dunbar, M.,Deverell, K.,Geddes, S. (2006). Fashion city In: L’Oreal Melbourne fashion festival, cutlural event Melbourne, Australia
The Journey Begun.
The PhD dissertation comprises three case studies of novel length, accompanied by images, and consists of 96,000 words. I submitted my dissertation in November 2010 and am currently in the process of revising it. Below are some of the images from the projects conducted during my study.
Throughout my research, I employed various empirical methodologies, including design exploration, observation, mind mapping, and online discussion. I utilised Post-it notes, infinity diagramming (Kawakita, 1960), and card sorting techniques for visual documentation and data organisation. Below are my overview mapping of my PhD in 2009.
You can read some of the work about Lat’s Cartoon published here – Imagining Kampungby Zainurul Rahman.
The following outlines the research projects and analyses undertaken during my research candidature.
Research Directions:
The third round of PhD progress review in 2010
Stereotypical icons and graphic representations play a significant role in shaping the construction of a nation’s identity and influencing perceptions of national identity among its citizens. This study investigates the relationship between popular print media and the construction of Malaysian national identity through stereotypical iconography.
Spanning five decades from 1957 to 2007, the research examines Malaysia’s evolution as an independent nation. The case studies include women’s magazines, cartoon compilations from various publications, and national advertisements.
Additionally, this research addresses two primary questions: Firstly, how is Malaysian national identity constructed through stereotypical icons? Secondly, how do popular print media—characterized by their populist and mass-culture orientation—serve as a significant yet often overlooked repository of cultural representation and images, in contrast to more elitist and officially sanctioned modes of cultural memory, such as national museums and archives?
Aim This PhD research aims to theorize and document design projects that illustrate how the stereotypical concept of Malaysian national identity has been constructed, packaged, and contested through icons in Malaysian popular print media.
Contributions This study seeks to contribute to the discourse on graphic design and its relationship to constructing national identity within educational institutions and professional practice. Furthermore, it aims to provide documentation highlighting the role of popular print media as both an icon manufacturer and an identity constructor, thereby underscoring its significant contribution to the shaping of Malaysian national identity.
copyright Zainurul Rahman 2009
The first round of PhD progress review in 2008
This PhD research project investigates the use of visual metaphors, stereotypical images, and cultural symbols within newspapers, magazine advertisements, and comics. The aim is to explore their influence in conveying and creating perceptions that shape national identity. The study seeks to demonstrate the significant role of communication design in the evolution of Malaysian national identity from 1957 to 2007, marking fifty years of independence.
