UPH Collaborates with Singapore Polytechnic to Bring Innovation to Villages

From YPPH Communications Office

In September, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) hosted students from Singapore Polytechnic to partner with UPH students in applying design thinking to find innovative solutions to address some lingering problems faced by villages and informal urban settlements in Jakarta. This initiative was executed under LeX, a program initiated by the Singapore Polytechnic International (SPI) and supported by the Asia-Ready Exposure Program (AEP) ― a youth development program by the National Youth Council (NYC) Singapore. 

The program saw 30 students and three lecturers from SPI teaming up with 30 students and 13 lecturers from UPH School of Design (SoD) and Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST) to conduct social innovation design in Sukapura RW10 subdistrict, a poor riverbank community in North Jakarta, and Ciakar village in Tangerang regency on September 18-27, 2023. 

With the support of the local communities, they devised innovative programs such as riverbank community development and clean river initiatives, tempeh-making workshop, outdoor sportswear and equipment sewing, village school, making natural detergent from fruit peels, and oyster mushroom and worm farming. 

On the last day, the students held an exhibition in the form of a gallery walk to gather feedback from the UPH academic community, government officials, and the residents in the two locales. The solutions presented will have a positive impact on the local communities, and in the process, participating students were inspired to employ the knowledge and skills they learned at university to make a big difference in the world around them. 

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.

“See” October 2023

Our Newsletter for October 2023 has been published.

Alumni: Gilbert March

Photo of Gilbert March. Photo Provided by Gilbert March

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.

UPH VCD Goes to Sekolah Lentera Harapan Curug

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

Student Leaders Appreciation & Inauguration 2023

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

IMATYPE Vol. 2 No. 2

IMATYPE: Journal of Graphic Design Studies, Volume 2, Number 2, has just been published. This academic journal is a collaborative effort between the Graphic Design concentration and the Editorial & Publication Design Lab of Universitas Pelita Harapan (LABDEhttps://labdep.uph.edu/P).

This publication contains seven articles, with three of the articles written by students and lecturers of UPH VCD. Here are the articles:

Peran Tipografi Eksperimental Terhadap Visualisasi Lagu Dalam Album Sinestesia

Angel Cristina (Graphic Design 2018), Ferdinand Indrajaya

Translated abstract:

Typography in the field of Visual Communication Design is generally understood as a means of communication in the form of a collection of letter characters that are composed in such a way as to convey a message. The message conveyed is not only informative, where typography is positioned merely as an instrument (as a arrangement of words) that functions to explain other visual communication media such as illustration or photography. Typography can also be understood more than just the arrangement of explanatory text for images (both illustrative or photographic). Its existence can be understood as a dramatic and expressive visual medium. As stated by Rob Carter, the anatomy of typographic forms can be further explored with the aim of achieving a more expressive form. This exploratory approach is applied to challenge traditional views of typography as instrumental and functional. The manipulation of form, space, texture, and color in typography is explored to go beyond traditional understanding. Such typographic exploration is usually understood under the title of experimental typography. This experimental effort will be applied to the Sinestesia album redesign project, where typography engages in a dialogue with the songs as content without forgetting its role in conveying the message. The visual design process stages will refer to Robin Landa’s design methodology.

Perancangan Desain Kemasan Untuk Origami Coffee Filter Kaldi Kraftware

Yolanda Ruth Theophanie Taruli Tumilisar (Graphic Design 2020), Brian Alvin Hananto, Lorentius Calvin

Translated abstract:

The UMKM Kaldi Kraftware brand is a social-preneur brand with the goal of creating products derived from the processing of waste, particularly plastic bottles found on beaches and rivers, especially in the Nusa Tenggara Barat region. Currently, Kaldi Kraftware is in the process of launching a new product, the Origami Coffee Filter, using recycled and processed plastic bottles. The challenge faced in the design process lies in storytelling, where the brand encounters difficulties in disseminating their story to the audience. In this academic work, the focus will be on the packaging design process for the Kaldi Kraftware brand, from data collection to design evaluation, along with the methodology used in the design process. Additionally, the discussion will delve into the design process, outlining various alternatives provided and direct evaluation results given by the owner.

Perancangan Desain UI/UX untuk Aplikasi Restoran Makanan Sehat Grains of Glory

Caroline Heliawanto (Graphic Design 2019), Ellis Melini

Translated abstract:

The busy lifestyle has led to demands for convenience and practicality in various aspects. Almost every industry leverages technology to sustain its business, resulting in an increase in online food ordering through smartphone applications. Recognizing this, Grains of Glory aims to utilize technology to encourage and facilitate the community in adopting a healthier lifestyle. To achieve this goal, Grains of Glory plans to design a smartphone-based food ordering application.


To see more of IMATYPE, click the button below:

Alumni Gathering DKV 2018

The Alumni Gathering, organized by UPH’s DKV program, successfully reconnected alumni with their former professors on September 9, 2023, at Bottega Ristorante in Jakarta. The event began with MCs Regina and Elsa, followed by welcoming speeches from Mrs. Lala and Mrs. Elis, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. ICE Breaking mini-games facilitated interaction among attendees, while alumni participated in tracer studies, providing valuable insights into their post-graduation experiences. The evening featured a communal dinner and randomly selected door prizes, adding excitement to the gathering. Former lecturers actively engaged in discussions, fostering knowledge sharing and networking, ultimately achieving the event’s goal of strengthening bonds between alumni and educators.

Alumni: Katarina Monika

Photo of Katarina Monika. Image provided by Katarina Monika

First and foremost, I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of such a prestigious institution. My experience at Universitas Pelita Harapan has been quite a journey. Occasionally, I encountered a few challenging events during my study, but fortunately, the lecturers were friendly, inspiring, thoughtful, and resourceful individuals. They guided me to flourish my character into a better person. Their guidance, resources, and mentorship not only imparted valuable knowledge but also instilled in me a lifelong passion for my field.

As a student at Universitas Pelita Harapan, I discovered my deep-rooted passion for self-expression through various assignments. The university’s rich curriculum and facilities exposed my work to a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including painting, typography, branding, advertising, photography, and art history. Various learning methods and the library have widened my horizons, especially in design knowledge and taste, and played a pivotal role in shaping my academic and career trajectory.

As a graphic designer, personally, I felt like I embarked on a transformative journey during my time as a design student at Universitas Pelita Harapan. My experience and personal growth in the university’s vibrant design community shaped my artistry and laid the foundation for my creative career.

My time in the university’s study program was characterized by an atmosphere of inspiration and collaboration. Engaging with fellow students and faculty members provided valuable opportunities for critique, discussion, and artistic growth. The university’s teaching and learning activities became a sanctuary where creativity flourished, fostering an environment that nurtured our imagination and allowed ideas to come to life.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Universitas Pelita Harapan to prospective students seeking an enriching and transformative educational experience. My journey at this institution was nothing short of exceptional, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities it provided me. Thank you once again for being a crucial part of my academic journey.

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

Steve Jobs

Katarina Monika

Universitas Pelita Harapan
Visual Communication Design
Bachelor of Arts – BAGraphic Design
2005 – 2009

Welcoming New Students

On Friday, August 25, 2023, the Visual Communication Design program at Universitas Pelita Harapan welcomed new students during one of the events of the UPH Festival 2023.

Brian Alvin Hananto presenting the Vision of Universitas Pelita Harapan Visual Communication Design

During the event, Brian Alvin Hananto, S.Sn., M.Ds., the Head of the Visual Communication Design program at Universitas Pelita Harapan, introduced the faculty members of the program and also got to know some of the students from the class of 2023. Brian then proceeded to explain the vision and mission of the program as well as the curriculum framework to the new students in attendance. Brian also invited the student association of the program to welcome and invite the students to attend the Welcoming Party event that will be held on September 2, 2023.