Guest Lecture in DKV UPH: Ardhira Putra

On June 18, 2026, students from the Indonesian Visual Culture and Design Management courses attended a guest lecture featuring Ardhira Anugrah Putra, an award-winning illustrator, graphic designer, and motion designer with international recognition. Throughout his career, Ardhira has collaborated with many global brands, artists, and creative companies across different industries. The session gave students valuable insights into his creative journey, professional experiences, and approach to building a sustainable career in the creative industry.

Turning Passion into a Creative Career

The session began with Ardhira sharing his journey after graduating from university. He explained that he started his career as a UI/UX designer before gradually pursuing illustration as a personal creative practice. Rather than waiting for commercial opportunities, he consistently created artwork inspired by the things he genuinely loved. His influences included retro video games, Japanese city pop, classic game consoles, and pop culture.

Over time, his distinctive visual style attracted attention from the creative community. Personal projects gradually opened the door to professional opportunities as more people discovered his work and recommended him to others. As his network grew, so did his experience. These opportunities eventually led him to international collaborations, industry awards, and recognition for his creative work.

Building a Personal Style and Professional Practice

During the guest lecture, Ardhira emphasized the importance of developing a unique creative identity. His work spans illustration, vector graphics, 3D design, and motion graphics. Even so, he continues to maintain a consistent visual style shaped by his personal interests and influences.

Instead of accepting every project, Ardhira carefully selects work that aligns with his creative direction. Likewise, many clients approach him because they appreciate his distinctive style. His experiences showed students that authenticity and consistency can create long-term opportunities in the creative industry.

Beyond discussing technical skills, Ardhira also spoke about professionalism. He highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and building trust with clients throughout every project.

Interactive Discussion and Q&A

Following the presentation, students participated in an interactive question-and-answer session with Ardhira. They asked about project management, client communication, time management, organizing design files, and maintaining a healthy creative workflow.

The discussion also explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in the creative industry. Ardhira encouraged students to see AI as a tool that supports creativity rather than replacing it. At the same time, he emphasized that original ideas, personal perspectives, and distinctive visual styles remain valuable qualities for every designer.

Students left the session with practical insights into professional creative practice. More importantly, they were encouraged to keep developing their own creative voice while remaining adaptable in a constantly changing industry.

Inspiring Future Creative Professionals

The guest lecture concluded with a group photo and informal discussion between the speaker and students. This final session allowed participants to continue exchanging ideas in a relaxed setting while reflecting on the lessons they had learned throughout the day.

Overall, the guest lecture demonstrated how passion, consistency, and continuous learning can shape a meaningful creative career. Ardhira’s journey encouraged students to pursue their own interests, refine their unique style, and embrace every opportunity to grow as designers.

@dkv.uph

Guest Lecture with @ardhiraputra ✨ A special session where our students gained valuable insights into the creative industry, design thinking, and professional practice. Thank you for sharing your experience, knowledge, and inspiration with the DKV UPH community. We look forward to seeing these ideas spark new creativity and innovation in our students’ future works. #DKVUPH #UPH #GuestLecture #DesignEducation #CreativeIndustry

♬ Super Rare (Feat. Wonstein, pH-1) – Epik High

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Ardhira Anugrah Putra for generously sharing his experiences, creative journey, and professional insights with our students. We also thank the lecturers and students from the Indonesian Visual Culture and Design Management courses for participating in this guest lecture. We hope this session inspires future designers to develop their creative identity, continue learning, and build meaningful careers in the ever-evolving creative industry.

DKV UPH Study Tour 2026 : Bandung

The Study Tour Bandung 2026 was held from June 2–5, 2026, involving Visual Communication Design students from Universitas Pelita Harapan, Class of 2025. The program aimed to broaden students’ understanding of art, design, culture, and history through direct engagement with Bandung’s creative landscape.

Throughout the four-day journey, students visited cultural destinations, galleries, creative spaces, and workshops. As a result, they gained firsthand experience of how art, design, and local heritage continue to shape contemporary society.

Study Tour Bandung 2026 with DKV UPH Class of 2025

The first day began with an exploration of Braga Street, one of Bandung’s most iconic historical districts. Surrounded by preserved colonial architecture and vibrant creative spaces, students observed how history and contemporary culture coexist within the city.

During the visit, the group explored Grey Art Gallery and enjoyed a special exhibition dedicated to PERSIB. The exhibition highlighted the cultural significance and history of one of Indonesia’s most beloved football clubs.

Afterward, students continued the journey aboard Bandros (Bandung Tour on Bus). During the 45-minute tour, they were introduced to various historical and cultural landmarks across the city. Among the sites discussed were Penjara Banceuy, Indonesia Menggugat, and several other important locations that played a role in Bandung’s historical development.

Through this experience, students developed a deeper appreciation of Bandung’s cultural identity and historical significance.

On the second day, students visited two sites closely associated with renowned Indonesian artist Sunaryo: Selasar Sunaryo Art Space and Wot Batu. Guided tours provided insight into Sunaryo’s artistic philosophy, creative process, and the meaning behind many of his installations.

In addition, students were encouraged to reflect on the relationship between art, nature, space, and human experience. By observing the works directly, they gained a better understanding of how artistic concepts can be translated into physical environments.

Selasar Sunaryo Visit

Later in the day, the group visited Saung Angklung Udjo, one of Bandung’s most celebrated cultural destinations. There, students enjoyed a series of traditional performances featuring Indonesian music, dance, and cultural heritage.

Furthermore, they participated in a special angklung-making workshop. This hands-on activity introduced students to the craftsmanship behind Indonesia’s traditional bamboo instrument while also highlighting its cultural importance.

Saung Angklung Udjo Cultural Performance and Workshop

The third day focused on practical learning experiences through a series of creative workshops.

The first destination was Batik Komar, where students learned about the history and development of Indonesian batik. They then participated in both Batik Cap and Batik Tulis workshops, creating their own designs while exploring traditional production techniques.

Through this activity, students gained a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship, patience, and attention to detail required in batik-making.

The workshop experience continued at NuArt Sculpture Park, home to the works of renowned Indonesian sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta. During the visit, students joined a guided tour of the sculpture park and explored several exhibitions within the complex.

Additionally, they watched documentary screenings that provided insight into Nuarta’s artistic journey and major projects. The visit concluded with a clay-making short course, allowing students to experiment with three-dimensional form and create their own sculptural works.

NuArt Sculpture Park Visit

Following three days of exploration, learning, and creative activities, the study tour concluded on the fourth day as students prepared for their return to Universitas Pelita Harapan.

Before departing Bandung, many students had the opportunity to purchase local souvenirs and reflect on the experiences gained throughout the program. Beyond the destinations visited, the trip offered valuable opportunities for observation, discussion, and creative inspiration.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dwidaya Tour for their support and collaboration in organizing this study tour. We also thank all lecturers and staff members who accompanied and guided the students throughout the journey.

Lastly, thank you to all DKV UPH Class of 2025 students for their enthusiasm, participation, and willingness to learn. We hope the knowledge, inspiration, and cultural insights gained during this experience will continue to enrich your creative journey in the future.

Until the next adventure!

ADHIKARI

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, VCD UPH (Visual Communication Design at Universitas Pelita Harapan) opened the exhibition “ADHIKARI,” showcasing works created by the students of VCD UPH in 2023 who had recently participated in a study tour to Yogyakarta from November 23 to 27, 2023. The exhibition features various artworks, including drawings, photographs, batik fabric, masks, and clay, produced by these students during their time in Yogyakarta.