UPH Visual Communication Design
Passionate, Brighter, and Transformational
VCD UPH Presents Focal Point 2 Photography Exhibition. This exhibition is held in Peluita Hall, Universitas Pelita Harapan from August 12 to August 30. Similar to the first Focal Point, the exhibition showcases works from the VCD students in their first year photography courses. Focal Point 2 also hosts a seminar and photography demo by renowned food photographer, Christo Tjandra.
On Friday, August 9, 2024, VCD UPH proudly sent five student representatives to participate in the Creative Content and Journalism Writing Workshop, organized by the Public Relations Bureau of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This workshop was a key component of the Anti-Corruption Creative Content and Journalism Competition program, titled “Suarakan Aksimu (Voice Your Actions).”
Throughout the event, our students had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions and hands-on learning sessions led by esteemed professionals, Ica Lawendattu and Vicky Amin. They delved deep into the significance of visual communication and the art of crafting powerful, influential messages that can drive change and raise awareness about anti-corruption efforts.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the KPK for not only inviting us to this important event but also for equipping our students with valuable knowledge and skills that will undoubtedly enhance their future careers. This experience has inspired and motivated them to contribute meaningfully to the fight against corruption through their creative work.
We are excited to publish the event catalogue for “ADHIKARI,” which was held last December. In this catalogue, you can see the works presented in the exhibition, representing the learning experiences that the students gained through their study tour to Jogjakarta.
Hello everyone, I’m Angelyn Aurelia, a graduate specializing in Graphic Design from the class of 2020. Currently, I work as a freelance graphic designer and am interning at a design agency.
During my studies in the Visual Communication Design department at UPH, I learned extensively about the fundamentals of design, particularly in composition and technical skills, which I have unknowingly continued to apply in my design work to this day. Additionally, I gained new insights into the creative industry and the challenges I would face after graduation.
The desire to continue learning and exploring deeper into the design process made courses like Basic Studio 2 and Graphic Design 3 incredibly memorable experiences for me. I found brainstorming sessions particularly fascinating because they allowed me to explore new ideas that often resulted in unexpected solutions. This process of ideation will continue to be applied in many design projects, including those in Graphic Design 3. Developing designs for new brands that stand out among competitors while meeting client briefs required ideational exploration. This course also necessitated interaction with students from other disciplines acting as clients, providing insights into effective client communication, delivering design concepts that align with briefs, and designing to highlight brand uniqueness. These learning experiences have been invaluable, especially as I began working and directly engaging with clients.
The creative experiences and guidance I received during my time at UPH inspired me to share them with others, as these experiences helped me become more courageous in realizing ideas and anticipating future creative journeys. The enjoyable journey of studies always came with challenges. Therefore, the quote from Ben Carson, “Do your best and let God do the rest,” has been a source of strength and a meaningful reminder for me to this day.
See Angelyn’s Final project in Epoch.
Hi, my name is Lidya Josephine, and I’m an alumna of DKV UPH, class of 2020, majoring in Animation. Currently, I work as a freelance illustrator and motion graphic animator. Before enrolling, I had a passion for drawing, especially designing silly little characters and the worlds they live in. Back then, I already had an interest in 2D and 3D animation, but I hadn’t figured out where I wanted to go from there.
In my first year at DKV UPH, I was introduced to the basics of design and immediately realized how many branches and subdivisions there are in design. I also learned the hard way that even if you are passionate, you can’t be good at every subject. Just being good at drawing doesn’t mean anything if the artwork has no meaning. There are also a lot of rules, and before breaking them, we need to master the basics first. That’s what makes someone a good designer. After I picked Animation as my major, I began to lean more into my strengths and passion, especially in concept art.
In terms of subjects, a few made an impression on me, such as Studio DKV 1 and Motion Graphics. In Studio DKV 1, we were given the freedom to create personal artwork in whichever medium and were challenged to express ourselves using personal traits like family background, culture, personal experiences, and personality, and how to combine all of those things into one meaningful piece of artwork.
In Motion Graphics, there were a lot of things to learn, and the process was arduous, especially as someone who had never touched After Effects before. However, through doing the assignments, I realized that I quite enjoy the process and could see myself doing motion graphics as a career. This subject also helped me in my internships, where it built the basics for creating simple children’s animations and educational infographics.
I started out feeling unsure about my future and campus life, but my overall experience with UPH was quite satisfactory. Through DKV UPH and the on-campus communities I participated in, I had a lot of self-reflection, discovered my own strengths and weaknesses, and gained valuable experience that will guide me in the business world. Now, I look back on the experience fondly, feeling a bit more sure of myself. I have the lecturers at UPH and my companions to thank for that.
“If you only face forward, there is something you will miss seeing.”
Vash the Stampede
See Lidya’s Final Project on Epoch.
Highlights of an undergraduate student’s studies are their final projects. A student’s final project is a culmination of their interest and mastery of a certain aspect they wish to explore and pursue. Therefore, this archive is more than just images of visuals that the students have created; it is a representation of their existence as visual communication design students. The tradition of archiving students’ final projects is a testament to the department’s aspiration to appreciate all the work that the students have done, each unique in its own time.
“Epoch” represents the beginning of a distinctive period in the history of someone or something. The term was selected as this book describes the transition, or perhaps the new beginning, of the students’ journeys as visual communication design graduates. As the students complete their final projects, they embark on a new epoch in life: as designers in the outside world. As designers who have graduated, we hope that each of our students may be able to be a blessing in their light and their new world.
Leaving school has always been a prominent change for all students. Many look forward to it, but some may feel that they aren’t ready for it. Dear students, life is full of various seasons, and each season or era is an opportunity to grow in its own way.
Epoch also marks a new era for the department. The previous final project archive showcased the three concentrations: graphic design, cinematography, and animation. In this archive, we also showcase the first graduates of the illustration concentration, which may provide a new nuance to the diverse projects shown in these archives.
Not just about the new concentration, Epoch also marks the end of the ‘pandemic’ era of final projects. Previous archives (“Salute,” “See-saw,” and “Book of Acts”) showcased works that were completed during the COVID-19 pandemic or by students who spent more than half of their study online and in quarantine. We hope that the return to a more optimal learning experience correlates with higher quality projects in this book.
And so, we hope that Epoch may continue to inspire readers through the diverse works showcased. We also hope that the end of an era can teach us to move forward in a better direction: to pursue the best, remember the good, and leave out the rest.
Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds.
Head of Visual Communication Design Department
Universitas Pelita Harapan
Hello, my name is Carren, and I attended DKV UPH from 2020 to 2024, focusing on graphic design.
When I first enrolled at UPH, I was apprehensive and uncertain. Was DKV the right choice for me? I wasn’t particularly skilled at drawing nor did I possess the basics of design. However, UPH provided a solid foundation, starting from the fundamentals like dots and lines. My journey here has been truly transformative. UPH isn’t just a place; it’s a community where I’ve nurtured my potential.
One of the most memorable courses for me was DG 3, which involved a collaboration with a third party, giving us a taste of real-world client interaction. I had always admired the packaging in stores, but in this class, I learned how to design packaging that aligns with a brand’s vision, mission, and target market. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed the “Media Hiburan Interaktif” course, where I designed a board game.
Beyond these, every lesson at DKV UPH has been immensely valuable for my career in graphic design. From the basics like color theory, typography, and layout to more advanced skills like applying them in creating a brand’s visual identity and beyond.
Personally, I enthusiastically recommend UPH to others because of my positive experience here. UPH offers excellent facilities and outstanding lecturers. If you’re seeking an institution where you can grow and prepare for the professional world, look no further!
Typolog 2024 was recently held from June 15th to 22nd, 2024, at Carstenz Mall, Gading Serpong. The event featured a typography poster competition, seminars, work critiques, and workshops conducted by three outstanding mentors: Nikko Purnama Lukman, Agus Adhityatama, and Yasser Rizky.
Check out some photos and documentation from Typolog 2024 below.
Hello everyone! Let me introduce myself, my name is Angelina Kalinda Eka Putri, a 2020 graduate of Visual Communication Design at UPH. I specialized in Animation during my studies at UPH, and now I work as a freelancer.
Studying at UPH’s Visual Communication Design program left a strong impression on me. I spent nearly the first three years studying online, followed by offline learning experiences on campus. I started as someone who had no knowledge of design basics at all, but now everything seems clearer and it has helped me develop in creating more engaging illustrations. The professors at UPH’s Visual Communication Design program care about the students, making each student, including myself, feel noticed and their feedback feels more personal. My peers were also very talented, which made my studies at UPH more exciting!
The Motion Graphics course was highly memorable for me. I learned to use After Effects to create various 2D animations. From not knowing how to use this software at all, now I can create motion graphics animations that enhance various projects. This course stood out because my professors were excellent at teaching complex software, allowing me to grasp it quickly. Personally, I already enjoyed drawing various 2D illustrations before joining UPH. I always felt there was something lacking and could be improved. From the various things I learned at UPH, I gained a foundation and guidance on what makes a design more engaging. From there, I gained a foothold to further develop my illustration skills. Until now, I continue to apply the knowledge I gained from UPH.
I would recommend UPH to anyone interested in design, especially those passionate about and looking to grow in the field. Not just in animation, I believe every specialization at UPH’s Visual Communication Design program like Graphic Design, Cinematography, and Illustration can help students interested in design to further develop. The way UPH professors teach ensures that students truly understand, and they care about each student personally. The relationship between students and professors sometimes feels like friends, making it easier and more comfortable to ask for guidance. This helps many who might feel shy or afraid to seek help from professors.
Hello everyone! My name is Yolanda Tumilisar, and I am an alumna of UPH’s Visual Communication Design class of 2020, specializing in Graphic Design. Currently, I am still deciding whether to pursue a career in graphic design focusing on typography or continue my studies abroad.
Before applying to UPH’s Visual Communication Design program, I already had a strong interest in all aspects of design and was familiar with many basic design terms. Despite having this foundational knowledge, I had little professional design experience or skills. During my studies at UPH, we were given numerous opportunities to explore and expand ourselves both academically through classes and non-academically through student organizations, faculty events, and more. These opportunities allowed me to gain new perspectives and prepared me to face future challenges in the professional world.
During my nearly four years of study here, two courses had a significant impact on me: Art History & Civilization and Main Studio 2. Both courses helped me discover my passion for history, research, and typography design. Main Studio 2, in particular, gave us the freedom to explore various media and test our skills in designing based on our chosen topics.
Based on my UPH experience, the courses were instrumental in helping students understand the world of design both conceptually and practically. This was achieved through a robust teaching system that not only expanded on class projects but also provided direct exposure to the work environment through internships in studios, agencies, and other workplaces. This foundation equipped us with essential skills and critical thinking for entering the professional design industry.
I highly recommend UPH as an institution that educates and provides opportunities for students to develop their potential in their own unique ways. UPH also pays attention to minor details such as students’ religious beliefs and soft skills, which support their future endeavors after graduation.
“You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you”