Alumni: Daniel Sean

Daniel Sean. Photo provided by Daniel Sean

My time at Universitas Pelita Harapan was truly enriching, providing me with the opportunity to explore aspects of art that were previously unfamiliar to me. The university offered well-structured curricula and state-of-the-art facilities, which allowed students like me to maximize and refine our skills. Moreover, I had the pleasure of interacting with friendly and highly talented lecturers and friends who provided invaluable guidance throughout various assignments, employing diverse teaching methods. Sharing our unique drawing styles and creative work with one another was both enjoyable and beneficial.

One aspect of my education that significantly enhanced my journey as a concept artist and illustrator was the study of basic design principles. Our dedicated lecturers taught us how shapes and colors can determine the composition of art, creating different volumes, depths, perspectives, and points of view that interact to produce intriguing effects and elicit responses from viewers. They offered practical examples and techniques to infuse our artwork with stories and emotions, making it more captivating.

Upon graduating, I embarked on a fulfilling career as a concept artist, relishing the role it played in the animation pipeline. Managing the pre-production phase and the flexibility it offered, such as brainstorming character ideas, was particularly enjoyable. Simultaneously, I didn’t want to abandon my passion for illustration. Initially, it began as a side project, but it soon evolved into accepting commissions for video game characters, especially those from popular games like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Dungeons and Dragons, and many others. I take great pride in these commissions, especially as an avid MMORPG player myself. The characters I create become a part of me, and in some cases, they embody aspects of my own identity. Crafting art that allows people to represent themselves, whether in fiction or reality, is a tremendous honor.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Universitas Pelita Harapan as a place that nurtures and empowers students to expand their knowledge and skills. My time here was an unforgettable experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Thank you for having me.

Alumni: Tiffany Wong

Photo of Tiffany Wong. Photo Provided by Tiffany Wong

My name is Tiffany Wong. I’m an alumna of DKV UPH, with a concentration in DG, from the batch of 2017-2021. Currently, I am working as a freelance graphic and book designer while also pursuing my passion for print through “sore sore,” an indie publishing platform. My practice explores how personal experiences and emotions are represented by tangible objects alongside written language.

I entered DKV UPH with little to no knowledge of the graphic design world. As far as I knew, I only wanted to have the ability to communicate with visuals, as their brochure advertised that academic year. With only a basic skill in drawing typography, I was amazed when I learned that this skill was just the tip of the iceberg in the graphic design world. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly guided through it, with classes and programs that taught me more than enough to thrive in the industry.

Looking back at my days in DKV UPH, I can’t choose a favorite class as I see them all as a holistic experience that I cherish. However, two that were particularly momentous for me are Main Studio 1 and Experimental Typography. Main Studio 1 was when I first discovered my passion for book design, which I now pursue wholeheartedly. Experimental Typography, on the other hand, was when I delved deeply into the essence of graphic design. It was probably when I achieved the ability to communicate with visuals, fulfilling my freshman dream.

I must say that not only did I gain knowledge and new skills, but my time studying in DKV UPH was also a journey of self-discovery. As I learned the many elements of the graphic design world in my classes, I was also guided to nurture my passion. The lecturers and the learning environment at DKV UPH were nothing but supportive. I hope that many more students can experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey, as I did.


Tiffany Wong currently lives and works in Jakarta as a graphic designer, art director, and visual artist. She previously worked as a graphic designer for Artnivora and Jakarta Film Week, as well as the visual communication designer for Orasis Art Space. Her work has been featured on Behance in the InDesign and Editorial section and in Madrid Grafica 2021.

Tiffany specializes in editorial and book design, where she explores language and words in relation to the book as an object. Her deep admiration for individual experiences and the natural world has led her to create works deeply rooted in romanticism, described by some as ‘poetic,’ ‘raw,’ and ‘whimsical.’


“At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.”  ― Warsan Shire

“See” October 2023

Our Newsletter for October 2023 has been published.

Alumni: Gilbert March

Photo of Gilbert March. Photo Provided by Gilbert March

Gilbert March, class of 2013 in Visual Communication Design with a specialization in Cinematography, works as a Director for Music Videos and Advertisements.


My experience at UPH’s Visual Communication Design (Dkv UPH) has given me an unforgettable journey. The guidance, professors, mentors, and other staff members were incredibly helpful in helping me understand the importance of relationships and communication. Not only that, but a comfortable environment plays a significant role in allowing us to focus on our work. The excellent facilities enabled us to practice and create, and equally important, the friendships that supported, assisted, and taught me how to collaborate in completing tasks.

Many things left an impression because all the Cinematography courses heavily relied on teamwork. We were highly encouraged to tolerate and respect each other’s opinions. This made our work not just a personal endeavor but a collective creation.

Learning at UPH has been immensely beneficial to my career in the industry because it has enabled me to provide solutions to problems, particularly in film production. It has honed my ability to think creatively and swiftly, allowing me to seamlessly incorporate idealistic elements into video presentations.

I recommend this program to those who want to develop their talents and find their identity. Everything taught here has a significant impact on those who want to enter the workforce. It’s not just about readiness for work; it will also refine your identity. Thank you to UPH for educating and honing me to this point.

UPH VCD Goes to Sekolah Lentera Harapan Curug

On Saturday, September 23, 2023, UPH VCD (Visual Communication Design) visited Lentera Harapan Curug School to hold an academic showcase for the students. In addition to the academic showcase, one of the UPH VCD lecturers, Naldo Yanuar Heryanto, S.Sn., M.T., conducted a character design workshop for students who are interested in the field of visual communication design. The presence of UPH VCD at Lentera Harapan Curug School was warmly welcomed and met with enthusiasm by the students. Thank you for having us at Lentera Harapan Curug School, and we look forward to meeting again on another occasion.

Naldo Yanuar Heryanto, S.Sn., M.T. giving a workshop on character design

Alumni: Evan Wijaya

Photo of Evan Wijaya. Photo Provided by Evan Wijaya

My name is Evan Wijaya, and I’m a graphic designer. I entered Universitas Pelita Harapan in 2013 and graduated in 2017.

UPH provided me with a strong foundation in design. Back then, I knew nothing about design, and frankly, I was quite afraid of falling behind other students who I presumed already knew one or two things. Thankfully, the curriculum and the lecturers were very helpful in guiding me through the lessons.

I truly appreciate how the lessons didn’t only focus on hard skills but, more importantly, on soft skills as well. The early semesters were truly eye-opening to me as I got to know the basics that I still often rely on today, such as basic layout design, typography, and design thinking. The impact these lessons had on me was very substantial.

The three and a half years helped shape my interest in pursuing a career in the design world and introduced me to outstanding colleagues. The entire experience of studying at UPH practically made me who I am professionally today.


Evan Wijaya is an Indonesia-based graphic designer with a passion for graphic design in films, film production design, and set design. Movies and pop culture are his driving force in entering the field of graphic design. However, he often draws inspiration from subjects related to history, culture, art, science, myth, and fantasy. When it comes to design, he values great attention to detail.

Evan has received several recognitions, including the Indonesian Graphic Design Award 2 in the Typography Category (2014) and the Grand Prize Winner of the Adobe Hidden Treasures: Bauhaus Dessau competition (2018). He has collaborated with various brands and production companies, such as Sejauh Mata Memandang, Miles Films, Starvision, Palari Films, Wahana Kreator, and Base

UPH VCD at Minikino Film Week

Minikino Film Week (MFW) is an International Festival held from September 15th to 23rd, 2023, in Bali. This event includes film screenings and a film competition attended by international jurors, including Clarissa Jacobson (American Producer), Sebastien Simon (French Film Director), Kelly Lui (Film Programmer from Canada), and Pedro Toro (Artistic Director from Spain). DKV UPH (Visual Communication Design Department of UPH) was given the opportunity to screen student films in the Film Market. The four films included in the Film Screening are:

  1. “40 Hari Terakhir” (2022) Director: Michelle Hartawan
  2. “Bintang Jatuh” (2018) Director: Felicia Sugianto
  3. “Harum Melati” (2022) Director: Nadya Talitha
  4. “Kotak Suara Mei” (2022) Director: Adelene Dharmasaputra

Additionally, this year, DKV UPH students also received nominations in the Minikino Film Week National Competition Awards 2023, including:

  1. “Accidentally Intentional” by Kevin Rahardjo
  2. “Remembering the Serenade” by Muhammad Exsell Rabbani and Agnes Monica Hernadi
UPH VCD alumni with J. Baptista Anton, S.Sn., M.IKom, and Dr. Lala Palupi Santyaputri, S.Sn., M.Si. at MFW 2023

Student Leaders Appreciation & Inauguration 2023

On Thursday, September 14, 2023, Universitas Pelita Harapan held the Student Leaders Appreciation & Inauguration 2023 at the Grand Chapel of Universitas Pelita Harapan. This event was organized by the Student Life department of Universitas Pelita Harapan to appreciate the student organization leaders from the academic year 2022/2023 and to inaugurate the student organization leaders for the academic year 2023/2024.

During this event, many students from the Visual Communication Design program at Universitas Pelita Harapan took on roles as student organization leaders, both those who had completed their terms and those who were just beginning their roles in the academic year 2023/2024. One of the student organizations inaugurated during this event was the Student Association of the Visual Communication Design program, presided over by Eric Jobiliong, Ph.D., the Associate Provost for Academic and Innovation, Lestari Ayu Angraini, S.E., M.M., the Manager of Administration and Student Affairs for the Faculty of Design, Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds., the Chair of the Visual Communication Design program, and Lorentius Calvin, S.Ds., the Student Affairs Coordinator for the Visual Communication Design program.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to the students who have served during the academic year 2022/2023, and we extend our greetings to the students who are about to commence their service in the academic year 2023/2024. May God bless and guide each of our endeavors.

Dr. Martin Luqman Katoppo, S.T, M.T., Lorentius Calvin, S.Ds., Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds., and representatives of the student association of the visual communication design department

Intellectual Property: Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Logo Design

Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Logo design by Hady Soenarjo, S.Sn., M.Ds.

Logo design by one of our lecturers, Hady Sonearjo, S.Sn., M.Ds. for Petukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka Logo.


The design of the Student Exchange Logo for Merdeka (PMM) is based on the depiction of the State Emblem of Indonesia with a modification of an eagle spreading its wings as a symbol of UPH. Overall, this logo represents Garuda Pancasila as the force that binds Indonesia’s diversity and the open wings, signifying UPH as a protector of unity and diversity with Jesus Christ as the center, visualized by the Cross in the middle of the logo.

IMATYPE Vol. 2 No. 2

IMATYPE: Journal of Graphic Design Studies, Volume 2, Number 2, has just been published. This academic journal is a collaborative effort between the Graphic Design concentration and the Editorial & Publication Design Lab of Universitas Pelita Harapan (LABDEhttps://labdep.uph.edu/P).

This publication contains seven articles, with three of the articles written by students and lecturers of UPH VCD. Here are the articles:

Peran Tipografi Eksperimental Terhadap Visualisasi Lagu Dalam Album Sinestesia

Angel Cristina (Graphic Design 2018), Ferdinand Indrajaya

Translated abstract:

Typography in the field of Visual Communication Design is generally understood as a means of communication in the form of a collection of letter characters that are composed in such a way as to convey a message. The message conveyed is not only informative, where typography is positioned merely as an instrument (as a arrangement of words) that functions to explain other visual communication media such as illustration or photography. Typography can also be understood more than just the arrangement of explanatory text for images (both illustrative or photographic). Its existence can be understood as a dramatic and expressive visual medium. As stated by Rob Carter, the anatomy of typographic forms can be further explored with the aim of achieving a more expressive form. This exploratory approach is applied to challenge traditional views of typography as instrumental and functional. The manipulation of form, space, texture, and color in typography is explored to go beyond traditional understanding. Such typographic exploration is usually understood under the title of experimental typography. This experimental effort will be applied to the Sinestesia album redesign project, where typography engages in a dialogue with the songs as content without forgetting its role in conveying the message. The visual design process stages will refer to Robin Landa’s design methodology.

Perancangan Desain Kemasan Untuk Origami Coffee Filter Kaldi Kraftware

Yolanda Ruth Theophanie Taruli Tumilisar (Graphic Design 2020), Brian Alvin Hananto, Lorentius Calvin

Translated abstract:

The UMKM Kaldi Kraftware brand is a social-preneur brand with the goal of creating products derived from the processing of waste, particularly plastic bottles found on beaches and rivers, especially in the Nusa Tenggara Barat region. Currently, Kaldi Kraftware is in the process of launching a new product, the Origami Coffee Filter, using recycled and processed plastic bottles. The challenge faced in the design process lies in storytelling, where the brand encounters difficulties in disseminating their story to the audience. In this academic work, the focus will be on the packaging design process for the Kaldi Kraftware brand, from data collection to design evaluation, along with the methodology used in the design process. Additionally, the discussion will delve into the design process, outlining various alternatives provided and direct evaluation results given by the owner.

Perancangan Desain UI/UX untuk Aplikasi Restoran Makanan Sehat Grains of Glory

Caroline Heliawanto (Graphic Design 2019), Ellis Melini

Translated abstract:

The busy lifestyle has led to demands for convenience and practicality in various aspects. Almost every industry leverages technology to sustain its business, resulting in an increase in online food ordering through smartphone applications. Recognizing this, Grains of Glory aims to utilize technology to encourage and facilitate the community in adopting a healthier lifestyle. To achieve this goal, Grains of Glory plans to design a smartphone-based food ordering application.


To see more of IMATYPE, click the button below: