Minor Project

Minor Project

WEEK 01 - WEEK 15 (22/04/2025 - 1/08/2025)

Wang Yifan (0368363) / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

Minor Project

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INSTRUCTIONS

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MINOR PROJECT

Project Introduction

This Minor Project challenged us to work in a multidisciplinary group to create a design solution related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). We were required to combine 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) technology with design thinking to solve a real-world problem and present a proof-of-concept prototype.

Our group decided to focus on Wyndham Shahzan Inn, a long-standing hotel located in Fraser’s Hill, and we aimed to rebrand it as a nature-based wellness getaway. The final brand campaign we created was called “Touch of Nature” — designed to encourage modern city dwellers to reconnect with nature through immersive experiences.

We proposed a wellness brand direction that includes sound-based therapy (ASMR), eco-tourism, sustainable travel, and interactive social content, supported by the 4IR technologies such as immersive media and digital promotion tools.

Research and Conceptual Development

In the early stage, we used Miro to brainstorm as a group. We worked together to define the problems, create empathy maps and user personas, and analyze the gap between current hotel marketing and what modern travelers really want.

We found that many nature resorts in Malaysia still rely on conventional and outdated visuals. People nowadays don’t just want to "stay in a hotel" — they are seeking experiences that help them escape stress, slow down, and feel emotionally connected.

We also watched references such as nature ASMR therapy clips, sustainable tourism case studies, and nature branding campaigns. These helped us decide to position “Touch of Nature” as an emotional escape experience, not just a hotel rebrand.

Ideation and Group Collaboration

Our group split tasks based on each person’s strength. I was assigned to lead the visual poster design and also volunteered to edit the first video prototype.

Together, we explored:

• Brand naming & storytelling direction

• 4IR technology integration (ASMR / immersive visuals / social interaction)

• Visual identity (fonts, colors, logo direction)

• Proposed campaign flow and social media content

Throughout the process, we used Figma, Canva, and Google Drive for collaboration. Everyone contributed in discussions, shared feedback, and we kept improving with each round of consultation.

Each of us researched and discussed the group's theme plan and recorded the progress of the discussion on the electronic whiteboard.

• Miro Link

In addition to the content on the electronic whiteboard, Shao han and I drafted the initial version of the questionnaire.

• Draft Survey Link

My Role – Poster Design

I was responsible for designing a series of 5 promotional posters. The goal was to visually express the mood and values of “Touch of Nature” while aligning with Wyndham’s professional standards.

color reference

Logo Design

Design Process

I started by collecting references from ASMR posters, nature wellness branding, and minimalist travel campaigns. Then I created different layout drafts and tested them on Canva.

My posters were designed to:

• Show real nature scenes from forests, hills, and trails

• Use deep green as the dominant color for calm and trust

• Keep plenty of white space for a peaceful visual feel

• Include hashtags like #NatureTherapy, #ForestVibes, #ASMR for modern branding

• Be social media friendly, readable even on small screens

Poster Themes

1. Forest ASMR Sound – invites users to breathe deeply and feel the rustling leaves

2. Reconnect with Fraser’s Hill – positions the hotel as a historic yet modern eco-retreat

3. Poll Post – Hike or Picnic? – encourages online engagement through user choice

4. Nature Escape Montage – uses multiple photos to show outdoor diversity

5. Adventure Lifestyle – includes active cycling, trekking, and forest walking

I kept refining the layout, text alignment, and color until the posters felt professional, clean, and inviting. I also discussed with our group lead and revised several times to ensure consistency with our deck and final brand story.

This first version of the poster uses an aerial forest shot as the background, giving a sense of openness and calmness, which fits well with the “Touch of Nature” theme of natural healing. The winding road in the background not only adds depth to the composition but also suggests a sense of “journey” and “exploration.”

For the text, I used a large white mist overlay to highlight the title, making “WYNDHAM GARDEN SHAHZAN FRASER’S HILL” stand out more. The mist also symbolizes the cool and humid forest climate of Fraser’s Hill. I chose a clean, modern sans-serif typeface to enhance brand identity and readability.

First version video

First version video（gif)

The second version of the posters feels richer and more lifestyle-oriented compared to the first version. I incorporated more human elements, such as hiking, picnicking, and cycling activities, which make the “Touch of Nature” theme more relatable and give the audience a clear message: “This is an experience you can take part in,” rather than just a scenic view.

In terms of layout, I experimented with different image arrangements—such as staggered positioning, collage-style splits, and rounded or irregular cropping—to create a sense of movement and liveliness. The deep green background is still there to maintain brand consistency, but I let the photos’ natural colors pop more, enhancing both the sense of nature and the healing vibe.

For the text, I kept the key information like “Packages Activities,” “Touch of Nature,” and the brand logos, but adjusted the placement and scale so the main focus stays on the activity images. This version is closer to the final direction because it not only conveys the brand identity but also emphasizes participation and interaction.

second version

second version

In the second version of my posters, the lecturer pointed out two main issues:
First, the images leaned towards European landscapes, which don’t match the Malaysian or Southeast Asian natural environment. This can create a sense of disconnect for the local audience. Second, some posters used irregular shapes and borders—while creative, they made the overall layout look less tidy and reduced the professional feel of the brand.

Based on the feedback and my own ideas, my plan for the next revision is:

1. Replace image assets – Use photos that are closer to Malaysian scenery, especially Fraser’s Hill or similar tropical rainforest environments, such as lush tropical plants, jungle trails, waterfalls, and bamboo groves. This will help viewers instantly associate the visuals with local nature.
2. Standardize shapes and borders – Change the irregular cutouts to regular rectangles or squares. This will make the layout cleaner, easier to align text and images, and more consistent with the brand’s professional identity.
3. Keep diverse activity scenes – Continue to feature hiking, cycling, and picnic activities, but select imagery shot in Asian environments so that both the sense of activity and the sense of place are aligned.

Modified poster

Modified poster

Material Selection & Storytelling Logic (My First-Cut Edit)

When I was working on the first cut of the video, I already had a clear picture in mind—a sudden transition from the hustle and bustle of the city to the calm of the forest, where even your breathing slows down. So when I was sourcing footage, I focused heavily on the theme of “nature healing + slow-paced escape from the city.” Shots like forest trails, upward views of treetops, leaves swaying in the wind, and sun rays filtering through branches all carry that “light, calm, and ease” vibe. They look less commercialized and more authentic, which fits perfectly with our goal to rebrand Wyndham Shahzan Inn into a nature-healing eco-retreat.

I opened the video with wide forest shots and upward treetop views—low information density but rich in green tones—so that viewers could immediately “settle down” and feel immersed in the forest. It’s like opening the door from “escaping city noise → stepping into nature’s embrace,” perfectly tying in with our poster’s “Take a deep breath.”

In the middle, I used a lot of close-ups and detail shots, like leaves gently swaying, slow footsteps along a forest path, and moist moss surfaces. Even though these clips are quiet, they trigger auditory imagination—viewers can almost “hear” the rustle of leaves or the flow of water. This is essentially using visuals to replace ASMR, and it visually sets up our “Nature Sound of the Day” concept.

I also made sure to insert shots with people—hiking, cycling, or walking through the woods—because I didn’t want “healing” to remain just about scenery; I wanted it to be about activities people can actually take part in (hiking, picnicking, cycling). These shots also link directly with our social media “This-or-That Poll: Hiking or Picnicking?” post, making it easier to create an interactive loop.

For lighting, I mostly chose early morning or late afternoon side/backlighting, with mist and branch shadows. This kind of light is soft and non-intrusive, perfect for conveying “de-stress” and “slow down.” In terms of color, I balanced deep greens with warm yellow highlights to match our poster’s dark green background and white text, keeping brand consistency strong.

At the end, I slowed the pace even further and left a blank pause, so viewers could mentally “exhale” with the video. This also leaves an ideal space and timing for Shaohan to add the logo, slogan, or QR code in the final cut, making the call-to-action clear and natural.

Website looking for materials

Start editing with suitable material

Collaboration Notes

I was in charge of sourcing and selecting footage, and editing the first cut to establish the storytelling framework: “forest → details → activities → breathing space.” Shaohan then took over, fine-tuning pacing, adding brand title cards, logo, slogan, and QR codes, and completing ASMR sound design and mixing. This workflow allowed the first cut to lock in the mood and direction, so the team could discuss within a shared context, and the final cut could focus on integrating brand information and calls-to-action.

Video Production (1st Cut)

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Reflection

Experiences

Working on the Touch of Nature project was a very different experience from my other coursework because it required close teamwork across multiple disciplines. From the start, we had to brainstorm, research, and develop our concept together, making sure that design, marketing, and content all aligned under the same brand message. My main role focused on poster design and the first-cut video editing, which meant I had to constantly coordinate with the rest of the team to ensure visual consistency. It was also my first time handling a tourism and hospitality-related brand, so I learned how to adapt my design style to fit a more professional, customer-facing tone while still keeping it creative.

Observations

Through the process, I noticed that effective communication was the biggest factor in keeping our workflow smooth. In the beginning, we sometimes worked in our own “bubbles,” which led to some design directions not matching the rest of the materials. Once we started sharing updates more frequently and giving each other direct feedback, the whole project became more cohesive. I also observed how important it is to understand the target audience in branding. For example, after feedback from the lecturer, I realised that our image choices needed to reflect Malaysian and Southeast Asian scenery, not just generic nature shots, to make the campaign feel authentic and relevant.

Findings

From this project, I learned that multidisciplinary teamwork can produce stronger ideas when everyone brings their strengths but stays open to feedback. I also found that brand storytelling works best when every element—posters, videos, and social media content—supports the same message and visual tone. On a personal level, I discovered that I enjoy creating visuals that balance emotion and information, and that even small details like colour consistency, pacing in videos, or the choice of background scenery can completely change how the audience feels about a brand. Overall, this project not only strengthened my design and editing skills, but also improved my ability to adapt my creative decisions to fit brand goals and audience expectations.