the theoretical framework of visual analysis blends approaches to analysing packaging, social semiotic analysis and Chinese semiotic analysis. A package of Chinese West Lake Dragon Well tea is an example of a physical object that communicates social meaning related not only to the product itself but also to Chinese culture. To have a better understanding of social meaning for traditional Chinese visual language on contemporary tea packages, this study considers visual social semiotic theories and Chinese visual design semiotic analysis theories that provide insights into the meaning of visual elements of packaging by understanding the signs used in this packaging. Furthermore, there is diversity in understanding of these packaging elements due to language, culture and expertise. It is also useful to draw on packaging analysis theory, which facilitates the identification of traditional and contemporary design elements. This study identifies the representations of traditional cultural symbols used on the bestselling contemporary tea packages in China and provides a way for contemporary tea packaging designs to be analysed. It provides one answer for the question: “How can traditional symbols be interpreted as cultural meaning?”

The growing emergent field of interdisciplinary research provides opportunities for discussing and attempting to understand interdisciplinarity at a deeper pedagogical level.The author, having completed a PhD in the field of an interdisciplinary art and design practice, presents an analysis of its methodology to contribute to the discussion. Through incidentally applying the method of Bourdieu's notion of reflexivity onto the practice, a clearer understanding of the approaches undertaken in the practice was experienced. This supported navigating between spectrums of approaches and identifying dichotomic knowledges applied in the practice, which the author terms 'conscious bridging'. In support of the proposed notion of conscious bridging, the author adds further evidential observations of teams participating in interdisciplinary projects and taking into analysis the processes of varied approaches specific to their discipline. This article presents strategies to consider, adopt and apply in an interdisciplinary art and design practice in order to assist the quality and efficiency of research outcomes. Keywordspractice-led research, reflexivity, conscious bridging, art and design, interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity RationaleInterdisciplinary practice draws from disciplines that are underpinned by theories and knowledges aligned to their approaches. Methodologies also vary in support of effective application of each discipline. With universities adopting a future focus that includes developing new curricula and delivering teaching aligned to an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary practice, there is a timely need that discussion and research is presented on this topic. 38.2conscious bridging in support of interdisciplinary practices, which can cross over and apply to transdisciplinarity too, with examples from PhD research and further personal observational studies. Details and definitions will be explained to support integrating conscious bridging recognition, location and planning in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary practices. In support, recommendations will be provided for continual research opportunity.Historically, there has been interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary curriculum design implemented in university teaching as early as 1975 (Franks et al. 2007), at Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. However, as Daniel Franks et al. explain in their account and outlines of challenges, this was focused on two schools, the Griffith Business School and the Australian School of Environmental Science. Benefits derived from this current research include a twofold opportunity that includes university level student learning and the professional sector. University curriculum in design schools is moving to integrating disciplines together for a holistic experience of learning, which provides students in a major discipline with focus to gain adjunct knowledgean interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approachin support of presenting projects aligned to professional project outcomes.The personal obser...

To address the sub-theme of the journal: Artistic Practices in a Time of Crisis, the author discusses the context of economic cuts and recent international crises on his PhD interactive and visual design research project undertaken in Australia. Identifying an apparent root-cause of current global crises, the author in reply, has structured a research plan and created a suite of new media, interactive, technology artworks, and installation art. Notions of Zen Buddhism, and stillness through meditation, are applied in the research and context of the artworks to support awareness of wellbeing, in response to the root-cause condition. The discussion will focus on the overarching question: how can one obtain value through the arts during current times of economic reduction conditioning? Keywords crisis • installation art • meditation • technology • value • Zen Buddhism Value is in the Productivity of the Development of the SpiritDuring my time as an artist over a 26-year period in Australia, I have been a witness to changes in government and their actions on the creative industries including funding support and funding cuts. Artist-run initiatives, which operate as not-for-profit organisations, developed in response to changes in arts funding structures. 1 The key term here is not-for-profit, 2 and their objective is to initiate ways to bridge the continual cuts in government support, negotiate the pressure of real estate values and rental increases, and manage the issues of continuous increases to the cost of living. Without doubt, it is difficult in any country for an artist, and arts organisation, to survive at