UPH Visual Communication Design
Passionate, Brighter, and Transformational
We are proud to announce that Elisabeth Katie Soleman’s Final Project, “Ibu?” or “Mother?” has been selected for Bali International Film Festival 2024 (BIFF 2024). Elisabeth was our alumni from the 2019 cohort, and had just finished her studies in 2023. Congratulations Elisabeth for the selection, and we look forward for more great news from you.
To see Elisabeth’s work at BIFF 2024, click here.
Hi, my name is Adrian Owen! I’m an alumnus of DKV UPH, graduating in 2021 and serving as the president of HMDKV in 2019-2020. During my final year at university, I began working at Jendela.Co, founded by our older alumnus, Raymond Ahari. Then, at the end of 2021, I started my own production company, “Homolog,” as a director and videographer, alongside my fellow alumni: Ferra Fergiani (president of HMDKV 2017-2018), Jeffry Imanuel (president of HMDKV 2016-2017), Kevin Imanuel, and Josephine Olivia (my mentor).
My four years at DKV UPH truly shaped me as both an artist and a person. Initially, cinematography wasn’t my first choice, but friends helped me realize its compatibility with my photography background, leading to immense personal and professional growth. I owe much of my success and gratitude to the friends I made during my studies.
My favorite subject was “Sejarah & Peradaban,” taught by Pak Ernest, Pak Alfian, and Pak Ferdinand. Understanding various art movements and eras has been invaluable in my career, allowing me to lead and direct others effectively. Personally, it has fostered a more civilized and open-minded perspective, delving into the philosophies of great minds.
While “Sejarah & Peradaban” significantly influenced my professional path, all the classes I took have contributed to my development as a videographer and director. “Studio Dasar” enhanced my understanding of composition, “Studio Utama” aided in project production, “Studio Pendukung” prepared me for pre-production, and even drawing class with Pak Donny improved my skills in color composition and storyboarding.
In the words of Steve Jobs, “Stay hungry, Stay foolish,” encapsulates the mindset of continuous learning post-graduation. University prepares us for the future but doesn’t make us experts. I, too, acknowledge that I still have much to learn.
Hey there! I’m Marcia Fortuna, but my friends call me Cia. I graduated in 2018 with a degree in Visual Communication Design, with a concentration in Cinematography from UPH.
Currently, I work as an illustrator specializing in visual development (also known as concept art), and I also attend conventions where I showcase and sell my artworks. Prior to university, I had zero artistic knowledge or skill, so the first few semesters at UPH were challenging. However, both the teachers and friends were very supportive. I was able to overcome these hurdles and gradually acquire valuable artistic knowledge and skills.
Particularly in my cinematography classes, I found myself drawn to the pre-production stage of movie creation, especially worldbuilding and storyboarding. This fascination eventually led me to further explore my interest in illustration. After graduating in 2022, I started making art prints of my artwork and joining art booth events under my brand name CallmeCia. The response was incredibly positive, and by 2024, I expanded internationally, participating in conventions in Singapore.
My most memorable class at UPH, though I can’t recall its specific name, was during my cinematography concentration. One assignment that stood out was when we were tasked with individually creating and presenting short stories to the class. Our teacher, who was incredibly open, listened attentively to each story and provided genuine feedback to every student. This particular assignment became my favorite because it allowed our creativity to run wild while also emphasizing the importance of purpose behind our creative decisions.
Choosing UPH for your degree is a fantastic decision. The campus is filled with supportive peers and teachers who genuinely care about your success. Personally, my time at UPH has been invaluable for my career growth.
“Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss you’ll land among the stars”
Hello, my name is Cynthia Novita. I’m an alumna of Visual Communication Design (DKV) with a major in graphic design from Pelita Harapan University, graduating in the batch of 2014-2018. Currently, I work as an artist, ceramicist, and graphic designer under my own brand, Karyaku Kata.
My journey at this institution was one of the best experiences of my lifetime. I gained great knowledge, enjoyed a pleasant environment, had wonderful teachers, and made good friends. Throughout college, there were ups and downs, but I persevered, giving my best, which made it an incredible journey. I learned valuable lessons on managing design projects both individually and as a team, emphasizing the importance of persistence in building a strong foundation for becoming a good designer, especially in design thinking. I had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of design, visual creation, and observational skills in my daily life.
In every project, I pushed myself to explore and be curious, enhancing my skills as a designer and artist. I enthusiastically attended many classes, appreciating UPH’s excellent curriculum and offerings. My favorite classes included philosophy of art, drawing, painting, typography, and methods of graphic reproduction, all of which are highly relevant to the industries I work in. I am grateful to Pak Alfian and Miss Nita for being great lecturers and supervisors who encouraged and embraced my skills, helping me become a confident designer.
Starting my career as a graphic designer, I transitioned to working in corporate property after graduation in 2018. With the end of the pandemic, I returned to working as a graphic designer and art teacher in an art studio. Over time, I delved into pottery, driven by curiosity and a passion for applied art. This led to the establishment of my own brand, Karyaku Kata, in September of the previous year. Karyaku Kata, which stands for Karya Kuas (brush), Kain (fabric), and Tanah (clay, ceramic), encompasses various forms of applied art, with “Kata” (word) representing the titles of my products, inspired by transitions between feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
Utilizing my sense and knowledge as a graphic designer, I aim to infuse my art with emotion. Drawing from the design theory of “experience design” learned in college, I strive to create pottery that engages people on a sensory level, incorporating concepts, stories, and music to evoke emotion. My goal is to create pieces that are not only visually appealing and functional but also meaningful, fostering connections that endure. Each creation reflects my dedication and passion for handcrafted arts, expressing my soul through colors and strokes.
I wholeheartedly recommend UPH to young creatives passionate about visual art. UPH provides excellent lecturers who are passionate about nurturing students’ skills. My journey at this institution equipped me with both soft and hard skills, providing a strong foundation for growth in the creative industries. I am immensely grateful to have been part of this journey.
There is a quote that I always say in my mind “Don’t ignore your little fire that is burning inside you, feel it and embrace it. Just keep going and trust the creative process then see what you’ll have become in the future”.
On March 28, 2024, a alumni sharing event was held by Putu Widyayana Putra & Jonathan Alexander. Both of them are alumni of VCD UPH with a specialization in animation in 2015. On this occasion, they shared their experiences working in the video game industry in Indonesia with the Film Management (Animation) class. Thank you, Putu and Jonathan, for taking the time to share your experiences with VCD UPH once again.
Visit Putu & Jonathan’s Instagram Page.
Hello there! My name is Felicia Kristella. I’m an alumna of VCD UPH, having graduated in 2020 with a degree in Graphic Design. After graduation, I worked as a freelance graphic designer for three years, and now I’m currently employed as a full-time graphic designer at an agency located in Jakarta.
Initially, I enrolled as an Interior Design student at UPH, but I soon realized that it wasn’t my true calling in life. After one year of studying Interior Design, I made the decision to switch my major to Visual Communication Design. It was a challenging transition, as I felt somewhat behind my peers of the same age. However, I turned this struggle into motivation to work harder towards achieving my goals. I was determined to excel in my new path.
My university journey felt like a rollercoaster ride, with some challenges proving to be both rewarding and difficult to overcome. The VCD curriculum at UPH is incredibly thorough, covering everything from the basics of drawing, design principles, typography, and layout, to broader topics like branding and design thinking. Through this experience, I was able to identify my strengths, interests, and gain clarity on what I wanted to pursue in the future.
College is not just about academics; it’s also about the people you meet along the way. Some friends become your closest allies, while others inspire you to strive for greater achievements. Some lecturers may push you hard, but in the end, you realize it’s for your own benefit. Despite the challenges, the support system in college makes the journey worthwhile. That’s why I highly recommend pursuing your studies at VCD UPH. Just make sure to make the most of your time there.
One quote that has always resonated with me since my high school days is “Do your best and let God do the rest” – Ben Carson. This mindset has guided me through both the highs and lows of my academic and professional journey.
Check Felicia’s Instagram page here.
Hello readers! I am graduating from Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH), class of 2019, with a major in visual communication design and a specialization in animation. My name is Agatha Samuella Kristijanto, and it is lovely to meet you!
My journey at UPHwas a special one. It was not only about learning about art and design but also about learning more about myself. Many unexpected things happened. Sometimes challenging, sometimes exhausting, tearful, but there was also a lot of joy and things to be grateful for.
I experienced campus life for only one and a half years because of COVID restrictions, and we had to change the learning method to online classes. I was flying back to my hometown at that time.
I would say my first year at the university was tough. I had to adjust in many areas: campus life, friendships, and my private life. There were many new things I had to learn quickly. But I am very thankful because of the help of the lecturers and seniors; I managed to survive well. The design world has countless genres, techniques, types, and styles. I learned that each of us has time to find our style. Some already have, some haven’t, which includes me, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I can learn many new things, and I enjoyed most of the lessons, such as learning motion graphics, creating characters, painting, and many more. But if I may choose, my favorite lesson is 3D modeling.
3D modeling is a new thing I learned. I never imagined I could know 3D, and I didn’t expect I’d like it. The lecturer taught us about applications like Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter. In Maya, we learned how to create good topology, neat models, etc. In ZBrush, we could sculpt our models from Maya to add more detail or create a model from scratch. After the model is finished, Substance Painter helps us provide texture and color to produce a complete model.
We also learned how the animation industry works, from pre-production to post-production. It was a fun class. The lecturer was passionate about his job as a modeler, dedicated, and full of effort, so I could ask many questions and learn a lot. I am highly impressed with this class. Overall, I was satisfied with everything I experienced at this university. I’ll take it as an experience to grow even more through every thick and thin I’ve been through. And as a path that leads me to the next journey.
I will surely recommend DKV UPH to my friends, relatives, and everyone I know so they can learn in a fun and good environment as I did.
Check out Agatha’s Final Project here.
Thursday, March 14, 2024, alumni of Visual Communication Design (DKV) at UPH from the class of 2017, Ronaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah, shared his experience working in an animation studio. Ronaldo, commonly known as Ronnie, shared insights into the animation industry and the management of the animation studio where he works, Pixel Zoo. During the session, Ronaldo also encouraged and recounted his journey in preparing himself to work in foreign companies.
Thank you, Ronnie, for your enthusiasm in sharing your story with us. You can visit Ronnie’s Instagram page here.
Thursday, March 7, 2024, the Film Management class for Animation at VCD UPH had alumni returning to share their experiences. This time, Jane Budiman, an alumna from the 2016 cohort, shared about her experiences working in the production team for the Neuron YouTube channel. She works as a storyboard artist and animator for Neuron. Additionally, she is also entrusted to assist in managing the production processes of Neuron’s projects. Thank you to Jane for her time and knowledge shared in the Film Management class.
Follow Jane on her Instagram page.
Daniel Purnama, an alumnus of the Animation concentration class of 2013, shared his experience as a freelance concept artist and illustrator. During the online meeting, Daniel discussed how he manages projects with clients as an animation graduate in the ‘Film Management’ course for the Animation concentration.
Daniel shared about what freelance work entails, as well as the pros and cons of working as a freelancer. He elaborated on his working process, including how he manages and communicates with his clients. He also shared how he works and manages his day-to-day activities as a freelance illustrator. Daniel highlighted the importance of using references to ensure clear communication with clients and also emphasized the importance of expanding one’s skills by adapting to various styles and genres.
We extend our thanks to Daniel for taking the time to share his insights with VCD UPH. You can check Daniel Purnama at his Instagram account.