KANKAL
DESIGN
Branding
Editorial
UI/UX
SKILLS
Creative Direction
Research
Writing
Visual Design
Ideation
Typography
TOOLS
Illustrator
InDesign
Photoshop
Figma
◯ A capstone project elaborating and highlighting the immense impact of non-verbal communication within the South-Asian diaspora through three in-depth case studies. Explored through mixed media including a publication and web piece.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
THE PROJECT:
Kankal, pronounced ‘cun-guhl’, is a word in Tamil, a language commonly spoken in Sri Lanka and the southern parts of India. The term ‘kankal’ translates to eyes in English and was the title of my capstone project in my final year of design school (YSDN). My research aimed to explore the relationship between non-verbal communication and the South Asian diaspora and express its immense influence through integral components largely associated with South Asian culture. Non-verbal communication is explored through three case studies: Bharatanatyam - a traditional South Asian dance typically practiced in South India and Sri Lanka. South Asian films (with a strong focus on Bollywood and Kollywood), and the conversational culture that exists amongst the diaspora. This project was executed over the course of the entire academic year. The outcome was a mixed media project via printed publication and a web piece - a tangible and accessible form of information aimed to not only inform but immerse the user in the culture and psychology that exists within the South Asian diaspora. Both deliverables are bilingual in English and Tamil. Kankal was selected as the title of my capstone project as eyes and eye movement are an integral part of non-verbal communication.
PROCESS + CONCEPT
THE PROCESS:
Developing the project comprised of extensive research in both the secondary and primary formats. Accumulating psychology papers and understanding how culture plays a key role helped formulate the content for my thesis. Alongside this secondary research, I was able to conduct a survey and interviews with South-Asian identifying participants, with approval from the York University ethics board. Some of these South-Asian identifying participants were Bharatanatyam dancers and/or instructors.
The publication went through many print tests to ensure colors were presented as intended. This deliverable was also thread-bound by hand to emphasize more of a personal feel.
The website aimed to also bring a personal approach to a more accessible and digitized format. The website was aimed at delivering the same information that followed the visual language in my thesis but would provide a bespoke experience for the user to engage with. This included whimsical yet purposeful interactions which lead users from one case study to the next providing a smooth transition and easing users between content.
THE CONCEPT:
The concept for the publication and website was inspired by the sepia-toned and sun-kissed photographs standard within the South-Asian photography scape between the seventies and the early nineties. The purpose of including both a publication and a website was to create something tangible (publication) and accessible (web piece). The publication and web piece are intended to make the user feel as though they are being delivered this information from someone in the same room, and to have a personal and poetic feel in each respective medium.
To experience the web piece yourself, you can click here. It is best viewed on Google Chrome. If not, continue to scroll to view.
