VCD UPH with the Management of Scientia Square Park
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, students from the Visual Communication Design (VCD) program at UPH visited Scientia Square Park to present their analysis and proposals regarding environmental graphic design at Scientia Square Park. This project is part of the final examination for the course “Graphic Design in Space,” held in the Odd Semester of 2023/2024. Through this project, which involves industry stakeholders, VCD UPH aims to provide students with real-world experience to enhance their learning.
VCD UPH Students Presenting Their Studies and Designs to the Management of Scientia Square Park
On Monday, December 18, 2023, the VCD UPH faculty team held a coordination meeting to prepare for the second semester of the academic year 2023/2024. The meeting was attended by both permanent and non-permanent faculty members to ensure the smooth progress of all courses.
The meeting began with coordination at the program level, followed by faculty members collaborating with course teams to discuss the details and technical aspects of the upcoming semester. Hopefully, the courses in the second semester of 2023/2024 will proceed smoothly.
Thank you for all the lecturers for the passion to teach at VCD UPH. We hope that all the hard work that we do can be felt by the students as they grow and learn throughout the years.
Special thanks to Pak Budi for the great pictures.
Senior Designer for CONDE NAST JAPAN( Wired Japan, GQ Japan, Vogue Japan )
Head of Creative / Partner for Open Quarter Tailor
In the earlier years of my academic journey, the field of Design and Visual Communication (DKV) was characterized by a more holistic approach, predating the nuanced subcategories that exist today, such as cinematography and animation. Back then, DKV encompassed a comprehensive spectrum, requiring us to delve into every facet from A to Z.
Despite initially perceiving this broad approach as a challenge, it ultimately became my forte. Acquiring knowledge across the entirety of the discipline, akin to comprehending every graph in a pizza-graph, proved to be an invaluable asset.
Following graduation, I dedicated two years to a small design studio in Jakarta, named Table 6. During my tenure, I collaborated with clients from diverse sectors, including fashion, law, F&B, art exhibitions, etc. This multifaceted experience was a cherished chapter in my professional journey. Subsequently, I resigned from the position, driven by the ambition to establish a prominent presence in Japan—an aspiration I had harbored for years. A year of Japanese language study paved the way for a subsequent year working with a Japanese design studio, culminating in my current role as a Senior Designer/Art Director at Conde Nast Japan. Beyond my responsibilities at Conde Nast, I co-own a small design studio with my wife and a business partner. Additionally, I am a co-owner and head of creative at the Indonesian tailoring brand “Open Quarter Tailor.”
Reflecting on my university years at UPH, I hold fond memories of both enduring friendships and the privilege of learning from some of the industry’s brightest minds. UPH instilled in us the importance of critical thinking, transcending mere technical proficiency. This emphasis on critical thinking emerged as a cornerstone of our industry strength. While every subject at UPH was enjoyable, I particularly relished the “DKV Subject,” where we undertook the rebranding of selected companies—a task that resonated with my specialization in branding.
The knowledge and skills cultivated during my time at UPH have significantly contributed not only to my professional journey but also to my personal development. I unequivocally recommend UPH to prospective students, as my experience there was truly transformative and life-changing.
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.
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 OneVCD UPH Lecturers and Students after the Closing of IMOVICCON 2023 Day Two
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.
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, UPH VCD (Visual Communication Design) visited Lentera Harapan Curug School to hold an academic showcase for the students. In addition to the academic showcase, one of the UPH VCD lecturers, Naldo Yanuar Heryanto, S.Sn., M.T., conducted a character design workshop for students who are interested in the field of visual communication design. The presence of UPH VCD at Lentera Harapan Curug School was warmly welcomed and met with enthusiasm by the students. Thank you for having us at Lentera Harapan Curug School, and we look forward to meeting again on another occasion.
Naldo Yanuar Heryanto, S.Sn., M.T. giving a workshop on character design
Photo of Evan Wijaya. Photo Provided by Evan Wijaya
My name is Evan Wijaya, and I’m a graphic designer. I entered Universitas Pelita Harapan in 2013 and graduated in 2017.
UPH provided me with a strong foundation in design. Back then, I knew nothing about design, and frankly, I was quite afraid of falling behind other students who I presumed already knew one or two things. Thankfully, the curriculum and the lecturers were very helpful in guiding me through the lessons.
I truly appreciate how the lessons didn’t only focus on hard skills but, more importantly, on soft skills as well. The early semesters were truly eye-opening to me as I got to know the basics that I still often rely on today, such as basic layout design, typography, and design thinking. The impact these lessons had on me was very substantial.
The three and a half years helped shape my interest in pursuing a career in the design world and introduced me to outstanding colleagues. The entire experience of studying at UPH practically made me who I am professionally today.
Evan Wijaya is an Indonesia-based graphic designer with a passion for graphic design in films, film production design, and set design. Movies and pop culture are his driving force in entering the field of graphic design. However, he often draws inspiration from subjects related to history, culture, art, science, myth, and fantasy. When it comes to design, he values great attention to detail.
Evan has received several recognitions, including the Indonesian Graphic Design Award 2 in the Typography Category (2014) and the Grand Prize Winner of the Adobe Hidden Treasures: Bauhaus Dessau competition (2018). He has collaborated with various brands and production companies, such as Sejauh Mata Memandang, Miles Films, Starvision, Palari Films, Wahana Kreator, and Base
On Thursday, September 14, 2023, Universitas Pelita Harapan held the Student Leaders Appreciation & Inauguration 2023 at the Grand Chapel of Universitas Pelita Harapan. This event was organized by the Student Life department of Universitas Pelita Harapan to appreciate the student organization leaders from the academic year 2022/2023 and to inaugurate the student organization leaders for the academic year 2023/2024.
During this event, many students from the Visual Communication Design program at Universitas Pelita Harapan took on roles as student organization leaders, both those who had completed their terms and those who were just beginning their roles in the academic year 2023/2024. One of the student organizations inaugurated during this event was the Student Association of the Visual Communication Design program, presided over by Eric Jobiliong, Ph.D., the Associate Provost for Academic and Innovation, Lestari Ayu Angraini, S.E., M.M., the Manager of Administration and Student Affairs for the Faculty of Design, Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds., the Chair of the Visual Communication Design program, and Lorentius Calvin, S.Ds., the Student Affairs Coordinator for the Visual Communication Design program.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the students who have served during the academic year 2022/2023, and we extend our greetings to the students who are about to commence their service in the academic year 2023/2024. May God bless and guide each of our endeavors.
Dr. Martin Luqman Katoppo, S.T, M.T., Lorentius Calvin, S.Ds., Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds., and representatives of the student association of the visual communication design department
