On June 18, 2026, students from the Indonesian Visual Culture and Design Management courses attended a guest lecture featuring Glory Josephine Immanuela, also known as Goi, a DKV UPH alumna and co-founder of Rupa Cerita, a custom artwear brand based in Bogor. Through Rupa Cerita, Goi has transformed her passion for illustration and storytelling into a successful creative business. Today, the brand has collaborated with many public figures, celebrities, major brands, and national campaigns across Indonesia. The guest lecture gave students valuable insights into entrepreneurship, creative identity, and building a meaningful career in the creative industry.
Building a Creative Business from Passion
The session opened with Goi sharing the story behind her entrepreneurial journey. Her interest in business began during high school, even though she felt her creative skills were still developing. Rather than waiting until she felt fully prepared, she chose to learn by doing and continued exploring different creative ideas.
Later, during her second year at DKV UPH, Goi and a friend founded Rupa Cerita, a custom artwear business that combines illustration with wearable products. They started small, but consistent experimentation and original designs helped the brand gain attention through social media. As a result, Rupa Cerita attracted a growing audience and received commissions from celebrities, public figures, creative events, and national campaigns.
Throughout the session, Goi reminded students that every creative journey starts with small steps. She encouraged them to focus on progress instead of waiting for the perfect moment to begin.
Developing an Authentic Creative Identity
Besides discussing entrepreneurship, Goi reflected on how her time at DKV UPH helped shape her creative identity. During university, she experienced moments of self-doubt because her visual style often differed from more conventional graphic design approaches. However, she eventually realized that those differences became one of her greatest strengths.
One of the most memorable moments came during an Experimental Typography class. After seeing her work, a lecturer commented, “This font is so Goi.” That simple remark gave her the confidence to embrace her own visual language instead of trying to follow someone else’s style.
Today, that distinctive approach has become one of Rupa Cerita’s strongest characteristics. Many clients choose to work with the brand because they appreciate its unique artistic direction and storytelling style. Goi encouraged students to keep developing their own creative voice while remaining open to learning, feedback, and new experiences.
In addition, she highlighted the importance of discipline, project management, and collaboration. Creative talent is important, but professionalism and communication are equally valuable when working with clients and creative teams.
In Session: Glory Immanuela sharing her journey at Rupa Cerita and Indonesian fashion.
In Session: Glory Immanuela sharing her journey at Rupa Cerita and Indonesian fashion.
Interactive Discussion and Q&A
Following the presentation, students joined an interactive question-and-answer session with Goi. They discussed entrepreneurship, balancing business with creative work, managing client expectations, pricing creative services, and maintaining originality while responding to market demands.
The conversation also explored branding, social media, and the realities of growing a creative business from the ground up. Drawing from her own experiences, Goi encouraged students to stay patient, keep learning, and see every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
By the end of the discussion, students gained practical insights into creative entrepreneurship. More importantly, they saw how passion, persistence, and authenticity can become the foundation of a sustainable creative career.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Creative Entrepreneurs
The guest lecture concluded with a group photo and an informal discussion between Goi and the students. This final session allowed participants to continue exchanging ideas while reflecting on the lessons they had learned throughout the day.
Overall, the guest lecture showed that passion, consistency, and continuous learning can grow into a successful creative business. Goi’s journey reminded students that every designer has a unique voice worth developing. By embracing their individuality and continuing to improve, they can create meaningful work that connects with clients and audiences alike.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Glory Josephine Immanuela (Goi) for generously sharing her entrepreneurial journey, creative experiences, 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 pursue their passions, develop authentic creative identities, and transform their ideas into meaningful opportunities within the creative industry.
