Interculturalism is dead

Interculturalism is Dead

Editorial Design
Graphic Design

“Interculturalism is Dead” is a curated publication aimed at reinvigorating the dialogue surrounding Interculturalism by spotlighting the sub-culture of the Syro-Malabar Community from Kerala, India. Amid today’s challenging political climate in the United Kingdom, this initiative seeks to underscore the importance of intercultural exchange and understanding. Drawing on principles of decolonisation, the project delves deep into the rich tapestry of the community and exploring its diverse facets and celebrating Interculturalism in our increasingly interconnected world. This is an archive of personal narratives, cultural intersections, and the story of the Syro-Malabar community through Maximilism and Bilingual Typography. It features immigration stories from creatives in Glasgow, insightful interviews with Glasgow-based design studios, and an exploration of the future prospects for creatives from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Objective

Strategy

To explore the intersection of Indian and Western cultures through design, celebrating and promoting interculturalism. By engaging with local communities and incorporating their stories, the goal is to decolonize graphic design and challenge conventional norms. The project aims to make a bold statement on the current political climate in the UK.

As a new migrant in the UK, I found it essential to reflect on my cultural roots and what it means to be a creative from a different ethnicity in this context. In light of ongoing discussions about multiculturalism, I advocate for the success of interculturalism by highlighting my community, the Syro-Malabar community—an amalgamation of Christianity, Hinduism, and Syriac influences. I present this through a meticulously handcrafted book, exploring my personal experiences and what makes the Syro-Malabar culture unique. The book includes conversations with various individuals connected to the culture and concludes with an examination of the UK's creative industries and their efforts to foster inclusivity. This project embraces maximalism and bilingual typography, design languages prominent in India, alongside tactile paper explorations to amplify South Indian representation.

Part One

The Syro Malabar Community

The Syro-Malabar Community belongs to the state of Kerala in India. It’s said that the Apostle St. Thomas arrived in Kerala in AD52 and established seven churches. The Hindu-dominated state accepted the religion and ultimately adapted it to its own through the tweaking and continuation of Hindu customs. The community is now a wonderful amalgam of both Hindu and Christian customs, languages, architecture and traditions.

Inter-culturalism and the UK

Part Two

To address the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in the UK design industry, particularly amidst negative attitudes toward multiculturalism and immigration. With only 7% of the workforce coming from ethnic minorities, I aim to highlight the need for greater representation and inclusion of diverse talent, not merely for tokenism but to leverage the unique insights and skills that creatives from different cultural backgrounds can bring. This objective seeks to advocate for a more equitable design landscape, where ethnic minorities are valued for their contributions and are not forced to work disproportionately harder to prove their worth.

Part Three

Decolonized
Cream Tea

Drawing inspiration from the universal ritual of evening tea and the British cream tea tradition, a decolonized version infused with motifs from the Syro-Malabar community was created. This event is designed to bring together creatives from all backgrounds, offering a space where everyone is welcome to connect and inspire. Kerala snacks will be served alongside a distinct event brand identity. Unique crockery, sourced from charity shops across the city, was transformed with spray-painted patterns on the porcelain, creating a final, eclectic set of ceramics.

Publication
Structure

Information on Kerala

Risograph
Pastel Pink - 80GSM

Recipe Cards

Digital Printing
G.F. Smith Colorplan - 175GSM

The Malayalam Keyboard

Screenprint
Plastic Banana Leaf - 70GSM

Blessed plate ticket

Digital Printing
Neon Pink One-sided - 70GSM

The Syro-Malabar Cross

Gold Foiling
G.F. Smith Colorplan Hot Pink - 270GSM

Personal Archive

Photo Print
G.F. Smith Max Natural Matt - 120GSM

My Hometown Church

Risograph
G.F. Smith Takeo Tela Pine - 80GSM

Glossary Terms

Digital Printing
G.F. Smith GMund Bier Lager -175GSM

Main Paper Stocks

1) G.F. Smith Neenah Environment - 118GSM
2) Pastel Yellow - 120GSM
3) Deep Red - 140GSM
4) Tracing Paper - 80GSM

Title Pages

Maximalism and Bilingual Typography

Interviews

1. ROSHNEE DESAI

Founder of Local Labs and the Indian Graphic Design Story
We talked about the Indian Graphic Design Landscape, Maximilism in Design and how to tackle the theme in a tactile form.

2. KINKY KASHAYAM

A South Indian Art Experimentation Archive by two Designers in the USA
We talked about the importance of South Indian Representation in the West and what it means to be authentic in our stories.

3. @Mr.Christopher._

American Content Creator on the culture of Kerala
We talked about his third perspective on the culture of Kerala as an outsider.

4. WE ARE HERE SCOTLAND + JAMHOT + MADEBRAVE

Conversations with Scottish agencies on the importance of representation in Scottish Design spaces.

5. GLASGOW-BASED CREATIVES FROM KERALA

Conversations with Immigrant Creatives (Chinmay Anilkumar, Patrick Panikulam & Justin Stanley) in Glasgow and how they connect to Kerala through food.

6. NAIMA BEN AYED

French Graphic Designer
ZoomQ&A with the Designer about Bilingual Typography as a part of the course.