UPH Visual Communication Design
Passionate, Brighter, and Transformational
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, VCD UPH held a gathering at Yugo Restaurant, Hotel Vega, Gading Serpong. This event was organized to launch the latest Final Project book, “EPOCH“, and also to celebrate the graduation of VCD UPH students who completed their studies in the 2023/2024 academic year.
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 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.
On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Visual Communication Design (VCD) department at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) held a Gallery Walk at the Pelita Gallery for final project students from the even semester of the 2023/2024 academic year. The event was inaugurated by the Dean of the Faculty of Design and the Head of the VCD department.
During the event, several final project students from each concentration within VCD UPH presented their works to first-year students, aiming to familiarize them with the various concentrations available. This activity was designed to give first-year students a concrete understanding of what they will experience in their chosen concentrations and to foster connections among VCD UPH students across different year groups.
My full name is Juventia Kalonica, but most people call me Juju. Recently, I’ve added a new name for myself—Jun. So whether it’s Juju or Jun, feel free to call me either! I started as an Animation student back in 2017, but as time passed, I found myself gravitating towards illustration.
Deciding to pursue illustration wasn’t without its doubts. I often questioned my choice, wondering if I regretted not sticking with animation after investing time and money into it. But truth be told, I don’t regret my time in animation at all. I’m grateful for the experiences and lessons it brought me. However, as life unfolded, especially after dealing with the challenges of COVID, I realized that my true passion lies in illustration. Nevertheless, my love for animation remains, and if given the chance, I’d dive back into learning it again!
Besides honing my skills, what truly enriched my journey were the friendships I made along the way. Back when my skills were far from where they are now, my friends provided endless support and guidance.
The early years were tough. I was clueless about design, and the assignments seemed impossibly difficult. There were tears, sleepless nights, and moments of self-doubt, especially when I saw my grades. But God and my friends were my rock. Their unwavering support reignited my passion for art. The animation classes were a blast too, thanks to our kind and patient lecturer, Pak Naldo, who made the learning process enjoyable.
One class that stands out the most is concept art. Creating characters based on random themes challenged me in ways I never imagined. Laughing at my own lackluster drawings, I realized how much I had to learn. But Pak Naldo and my friends never judged me; instead, they helped me improve. It was a truly enjoyable experience, one I’d gladly relive if given the chance.
The skills I acquired have proven invaluable in my current role as an illustrator at Giftinside. Every illustration demands meticulous attention to detail, a skill I learned through countless hours of practice. Understanding proportions and human anatomy has also been crucial.
I wholeheartedly recommend UPH to anyone interested in animation. Their diverse range of classes and openness to different styles—whether it’s Western cartoons or anime—make it an ideal learning environment.
Wishing everyone the best of luck!
From May 13th to 17th, 2024, VCD UPH has just conducted final presentations for students of the 2020 cohort. In this final presentation, the students showcased their final works in a more representative and mature form. See some documentation of the final presentations below.
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.
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.
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, the UPH Film Festival 2024 was held at XXI Aeon Mall BSD. The event proceeded smoothly and joyfully, with students, alumni, and invited guests filling the XXI studio throughout the afternoon until evening. The event commenced with welcoming videos from the Dean of the UPH Faculty of Design and the Chair of the Visual Communication Design Program at UPH. Following this, the event continued with a talk show featuring speakers Wregas Bhanuteja and Inarah Syarafina, who shared their experiences and perspectives on the current film industry.
After discussions with the speakers and a Q&A session with the audience, the UFF event proceeded with the presentation of appreciation to the speakers by the Chair of the UPH Film Festival 2024 and the Chair of the Visual Communication Design Program at UPH. Subsequently, works by alumni and students from VCD UPH were showcased, including those in cinematography, animation, and graphic design.
VCD UPH and the entire UPH Film Festival 2024 committee extend their gratitude to the speakers, sponsors, and media partners for their support in this edition of the UPH Film Festival 2024. It is hoped that UPH Film Festival 2024 can become a new monument in visual communication design education, especially within VCD UPH.
See you at UFF 2025 and other events organized by VCD UPH. For more about UFF, visit UFF’s Instagram page.
Photo Credits: Hizkia Kustiawan & Louis Alexander Setiabudi