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.
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
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.
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.
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”
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
On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, VCD UPH gathered for a modest yet meaningful occasion. The final grades for the Odd Semester of 2023/2024 were disclosed, accompanied by a farewell to the students who successfully completed their Final Projects.
Faculty members took a moment to share well-wishes and words of encouragement for the departing students. The atmosphere was reflective, acknowledging the achievements and challenges that shaped the academic journey. Representatives from the student association expressed congratulations to their peers, recognizing the accomplishment with a nod to the shared experiences.
The day concluded with understated documentation and a casual gathering. Congratulations to the graduating students; be a light and blessing in your own way.
My name is Raymond Ahari, and I’m an alumnus of DKV UPH, class of 2010. After graduating in 2014, I started a Production House business named “Jendela” along with some of my friends.
My four years at DKV UPH were undoubtedly a pleasant experience. The comfortable campus environment and complete facilities helped me study better, not to mention the competent lecturers and wonderful friends whom I got to know and learn from. Many things I know and implement in my work today, I picked up from my time at DKV UPH.
Although every class equipped me with different things that helped me become who I am today, I would say that the Videography class particularly left a mark on me. I didn’t initially plan to take the class, but I had a close relationship with the lecturer, and he told me about a great project that I could work on if I took his Videography class—and yes, of course, I ended up taking it!
One of the most important things that I learned from my days at DKV UPH is the significance of good teamwork. Choosing the right teammates will highly affect your results; it will help you finish the assignment right on time, with excellent quality.
As an alumnus, I recommend DKV UPH to those who are looking for a good place to learn and pursue their degree. I am always grateful for the opportunity to study at such a fine campus and faculty.
Gilbert March, class of 2013 in Visual Communication Design with a specialization in Cinematography, works as a Director for Music Videos and Advertisements.
My experience at UPH’s Visual Communication Design (Dkv UPH) has given me an unforgettable journey. The guidance, professors, mentors, and other staff members were incredibly helpful in helping me understand the importance of relationships and communication. Not only that, but a comfortable environment plays a significant role in allowing us to focus on our work. The excellent facilities enabled us to practice and create, and equally important, the friendships that supported, assisted, and taught me how to collaborate in completing tasks.
Many things left an impression because all the Cinematography courses heavily relied on teamwork. We were highly encouraged to tolerate and respect each other’s opinions. This made our work not just a personal endeavor but a collective creation.
Learning at UPH has been immensely beneficial to my career in the industry because it has enabled me to provide solutions to problems, particularly in film production. It has honed my ability to think creatively and swiftly, allowing me to seamlessly incorporate idealistic elements into video presentations.
I recommend this program to those who want to develop their talents and find their identity. Everything taught here has a significant impact on those who want to enter the workforce. It’s not just about readiness for work; it will also refine your identity. Thank you to UPH for educating and honing me to this point.