Mexican design heavily focuses on balance. Looking at all four of the examples in the presentation, we see exactly how they utilize balance. Three main kinds of balance were talked about during the presentation as well: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial balance. Mosaic balance was also discussed however the first three were the main focus. After reviewing the designs on the website, it is hard to say that any aspects of them are hard-wired into Mexican culture. Balance itself isn’t something that can be simply adopted and labeled to any part of Mexican culture or any culture. One thing that I also noticed in the example websites was that the symmetrical balance is very apparent. The content of the sites was well-organized, lined-up, and spaced accordingly throughout the site. I personally don’t feel like these aspects would constitute as cultural appropriation if one were to use aspects of balance within their web design. These aspects are crucial to any wed design and should be considered much they seem to be within Mexican design.
One argument that I will bring up that may not have been emphasized in the presentation is how the Mexican culture itself is used in any design, not just web design. Currently I’m working on another project that is tied to cultural appropriation. I’m sure most are aware as well as I am that during this last holiday that passed, Halloween, many cultures such as the Mexican culture as well as Native American culture get appropriated in the form of costumes that kids and adults wear. This form of cultural use is considered cultural appropriation without a doubt because the cultures are deliberately being exploited for what they are not intended to be used for. Seeing that as long as the Mexican culture is not being used for purposes not intended for, cultural appreciation may be a better way to describe uses of the culture in modern designs.