MALLYU : hybrid cultures : exploring visual identities

Abstract

Thriving with its rich history, Malta serves as a beacon of cultural pluralism, welcoming people from all over the globe. The intention of this project was to study visual elements from two distinct countries, Malta and South Korea, and merge them together. This research presents a novel approach to designing a K-Pop shop, where cultures are studied and integrated into a cohesive whole. Practice-led research was employed to explore concepts for branding the shop, planning its layout, and devising ways to present it effectively and artistically. The methodology also includes a conversation with a Maltese creative strategist, a South Korean artist, and a South Korean curator, whose feedback informed the work. During the research and experimentation phase, a K-Pop album concept was chosen to showcase the shop. This involved establishing brand guidelines, sketching floorplans to map out the shop’s layout, and creating illustrations of the store to feature in the branded shop album. The findings have provided valuable insights into potential avenues for further research in this field.