Ronaldo K. Dinguamah

Photo of Ronaldo K. Dinguamah

My name is Ronaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah, but please call me Ronnie. I graduated in 2017 with a degree in Animation. Currently, I work as a Key Lighting Artist and occasionally undertake freelance projects in Lighting, Rendering Architecture, and Motion graphics.

I had no artistic background or experience prior to university, so I faced many challenges with the lessons initially. However, with God’s grace, my teachers’ guidance, and my friends’ support, I was able to acquire enough skills to join the international Animation Industry. I was fascinated by all the courses that involved animation. They enabled me to create animation from the initial concept to the final post-production. These courses taught me the steps of making an animation, which equipped me for the industry.

The curriculum of the creative industry, especially Animation, is hard to keep up with the current industry trends because technology changes rapidly. That is why UPH excels at teaching students the fundamental and conceptual aspects of design, especially the “design thinking” concept. This concept assists me in my work because it is not just about making “pretty” pictures, but about conveying a message with visual elements.

I think UPH is an excellent choice for students who aspire to learn how to think like designers. UPH helps you comprehend the design and animation principles in a holistic way, enhancing your design abilities. UPH also has remarkable lecturers who are passionate about the industry and their students’ education. If you seek to learn the basics and get support from qualified lecturers, I highly recommend UPH.


Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ronaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah, but you can call me Ronnie for short. In 2017, I delved into the world of creative design and pursued my studies in DKV UPH, with a keen focus on animation. Following my graduation, I embarked on a thrilling freelance journey in the advertising industry for six months, all while crafting my portfolio. In early 2021, I landed a position as a Lighting and Compositing artist at Pixel Zoo, an animation studio based in Brisbane, Australia. My expertise in 3D lighting and compositing has been instrumental in bringing to life several animation series or movies, including the likes of LOL Surprise, Rainbow High, and Mermaze, to name a few. Despite my specialization, I never lost my love for the traditional arts of drawing and painting, which continue to inspire and fuel my creative passions.

Alumni: Putu Widyayana Putra

Photo of Putu Widyayana Putra. Photo Provided by Putu.

Hi! My name is Putu Widyayana Putra. I studied in UPH’s DKV major during 2015-2019, with a concentration in Animation. Although we learned every aspect of animation production from pre-production to finish, I was drawn by the intricacy and challenges in creating Characters; that led me in my career as a 3D Character Artist.  I’m currently working as a Creative Director in Stairway Games. I love creating stories, worlds, and characters; seeing them come to life is one of my greatest passions in life.

From a very young age, I’ve been drawing as far as I can remember. I learned drawing and art through lots of attempts (and failures). Which brings me to my surprise when I entered UPH, I learned that art, design, and drawing is something that can be learned through methods and theories. This fundamentally changed my view of art; although creation fueled by passion and raw creativity is all good, a lot of times it doesn’t serve a higher purpose than the form itself. It allows me to tap into creating a more consistent body of work, something that was only achieved through “I’m inspired!” moments; which was an unreliable source of creation.

        Team projects were particularly challenging for me; previously as an artist, a creative process was something you tackle alone. These projects taught me to work with others, in a kind and respectful way. Needless to say; working together with others kept my ego in check. I remembered my lecturer, who was working in the industry said a something that’s printed to my brain until this day:

“ … You can be as skillful as you can be, but when people remember you as a terrible person to work with; It will trump your reputation as the “skillful one”. Our craft is a collaborative process, skills can be improved, lessons can be learned, but ultimately, attitude towards others is a reflection towards others that reflects your work and who you are.”

        When I entered the industry, those words never rang more true.

        Although UPH taught me some skills that contributed towards my career, I think it cultivated my spirit of learning more than anything else. It’s a wake-up call that learning is a lifelong process and every day is an opportunity to learn something new. Labeling myself to be just an “artist” or “designer” was something I try to avoid. I try to dabble and learn in other disciplines beyond what was thought to me.

DKV UPH was an environment where creativity and methodical approach of design was taught. My lecturers taught me not only hard skills but soft skills such as critical thinking; an immensely crucial step that’s often skipped. I think the most important thing to take away from all of this is that my experience in DKV cultivated my hunger for learning and being a person that people would love to work together with.

IMOVICCON 2023

From October 31 to November 1, 2023, VCD UPH (Visual Communication Design, Universitas Pelita Harapan) participated in the International Moving Image Cultures Conference (IMOVICCON) 2023 at Multimedia Nusantara University. This event is a scholarly conference that also showcases various moving image works. Over these two days, besides being a partner in organizing the event, VCD UPH had faculty members and students presenting their research findings or designs in panels attended by participants from various institutions and countries. We would like to express our gratitude to the Film Program at Multimedia University for their exceptional collaboration. Hopefully, we can engage in more exciting collaborations in the future.

VCD UPH Lecturers at IMOVICCON 2023 Day One
VCD UPH Lecturers and Students after the Closing of IMOVICCON 2023 Day Two

VCD UPH Goes to SDH Kupang

On Friday, October 27, 2023, VCD UPH visited Dian Harapan School (SDH) in Kupang. This visit was part of conducting a character design workshop for the high school students of SDH Kupang. The workshop provided materials on understanding shape language commonly used in designing characters in a simple manner. Thank you to SDH Kupang for the warm welcome and enthusiasm. We hope to meet again in the future.

SDH Kupang Students Working on Their Character Design Worksheet
Photograph With all Participants from the First Session
Photograph With all Participants from the Second Session

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.

Book of Acts

The Visual Communication Design Program at Universitas Pelita Harapan has just released its latest compilation book of final projects, titled “Universitas Pelita Harapan Visual Communication Design Student’s Final Projects: Book of Acts.” This book features 41 final projects created by 54 students during the academic year 2022/2023. These projects include fiction films, documentary films, visual identities, visualizations, concept art, environmental graphic design, packaging design, board game design, and much more.

AICON Coswalk Competition

The “Introduction to UPH Animation Convention” (AICON) took place at Universitas Pelita Harapan and featured an enthralling Coswalk competition that captivated attendees. With esteemed judges Yagaichi (also known as Alianisha Krishtalia) and Monica Veralda presiding, the event saw a total of 30 enthusiastic participants immerse themselves in the world of cosplay. An engaged audience of 20 excited spectators added to the dynamic atmosphere, creating an environment of energy and anticipation.

6-year-old Kirana Almiera as Lightning from FF XIII-2.
13-year-old Anezka Evtonia as Boa Hancock from “One Piece”
Rika, 20 years old, as Sophie Hatter from “Howl’s Moving Castle”

Against this backdrop, participants channeled their favorite characters, delivering impressive performances that truly brought these characters to life. After careful deliberation, the victors emerged: Rika, 20 years old, claimed the first-place spot with her portrayal of Sophie Hatter from “Howl’s Moving Castle”; 13-year-old Anezka Evtonia secured second place with her portrayal of Boa Hancock from “One Piece”; and the youngest contestant, 6-year-old Kirana Almiera, took third place with her portrayal of Cygnus Hyoga from “Saint Seiya.”

In addition to these winners, the event also recognized the following “Juara Favorit” (Audience Favorites): Anastasya Luchsinger, Erik Erlando, and Jocelyn Josdoan. Their outstanding cosplays resonated with the audience, showcasing their creativity and dedication to their chosen characters.

This event not only celebrated the creativity and dedication of the cosplayers but also showcased the diverse array of characters cherished by animation enthusiasts. Held at Universitas Pelita Harapan, the success of the Coswalk competition at AICON served as a testament to the animation community’s spirit and left an indelible mark on participants and attendees alike.