VCD UPH once again collaborated with Singapore Polytechnic in the Learning Express (LEX) event from March 18 to 27, 2024.
In this activity, students from Singapore Polytechnic worked together with students from Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in project-based learning using a design thinking approach. UPH students participating in the LEX activity are a combination of students from the Faculty of Design, Faculty of Science and Technology (FaST), and the Faculty of Tourism.
Singapore Polytechnic Students Arriving at Universitas Pelita Harapan
On March 19, 2024, the opening of the LEX event took place, inaugurated by the rector of UPH, Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc., followed by introductions between UPH students and those from Singapore Polytechnic. Subsequently, there was a deep dive into understanding the design thinking material as part of their project-based learning preparation.
UPH’s Rector, Dr. (Hon.) Jonathan L. Parapak, M.Eng.Sc., Welcoming Singapore Polytechnic’s Representative Photo of Everyone at the Learning Express Program’s Opening
Curious about how this edition of LEX UPH and Singapore Polytechnic is being carried out? Follow VCD UPH, Faculty of Design UPH, and LEX UPH on Instagram.
Thursday, March 14, 2024, alumni of Visual Communication Design (DKV) at UPH from the class of 2017, Ronaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah, shared his experience working in an animation studio. Ronaldo, commonly known as Ronnie, shared insights into the animation industry and the management of the animation studio where he works, Pixel Zoo. During the session, Ronaldo also encouraged and recounted his journey in preparing himself to work in foreign companies.
Ronaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah Sharing About Animation PipelineRonaldo Kilimandu Dinguamah With the Film Management Class
Thank you, Ronnie, for your enthusiasm in sharing your story with us. You can visit Ronnie’s Instagram page here.
Daniel Purnama, an alumnus of the Animation concentration class of 2013, shared his experience as a freelance concept artist and illustrator. During the online meeting, Daniel discussed how he manages projects with clients as an animation graduate in the ‘Film Management’ course for the Animation concentration.
Daniel Purnama on Film Management Class
Daniel shared about what freelance work entails, as well as the pros and cons of working as a freelancer. He elaborated on his working process, including how he manages and communicates with his clients. He also shared how he works and manages his day-to-day activities as a freelance illustrator. Daniel highlighted the importance of using references to ensure clear communication with clients and also emphasized the importance of expanding one’s skills by adapting to various styles and genres.
Daniel Sharing with the Class of the Pros & Cons of Freelance WorkDaniel and the Participants of the Online Session
We extend our thanks to Daniel for taking the time to share his insights with VCD UPH. You can check Daniel Purnama at his Instagram account.
Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Valentine’s Day, and all other happy days there are in February.
During the second month of 2024, VCD UPH had the opportunity to host various and diverse activities, which can be seen and compiled in this edition of SEE. Even with the increased number of activities documented, these aren’t all the activities that happened during the whole month. Hopefully, the next publication may be able to document all the activities reported back to the department.
In the even semester, VCD UPH had the pleasure of inviting alumni, such as Regina Susanto from Graphic Design 2018, and also Daniel Purnama from Animation 2013. Both shared their working experiences after graduating with their juniors. Other opportunities that VCD UPH had included collaborating with KIEHL, collaborating with Tata Rupa, and also visiting Institut Kesenian Jakarta.
Lastly, we feature the work of Aurellia Levina, Dafy Bintang Natanael, and Tiara Kiatama from their Photography 2 class, which was also featured in the World Biennial of Student Photography 2023.
We hope that as we see, we may learn more and be humbled to learn more and more.
On Friday, February 23rd, 2024, the School of Design, School of Hospitality & Tourism, and Faculty of Science and Technology at Universitas Pelita Harapan held a Design Thinking Workshop for their students. The aim was to prepare students for an upcoming collaborative project with Singapore Polytechnic in March. Facilitated by lecturers from these faculties, the workshop introduced students to a design thinking framework they will use in the project.
On Friday, February 23, 2024, 15 students from VCD UPH attended Tata Rupa 2024. Tata Rupa 2024 is a program supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The program aims to assist SMEs by facilitating new designs to enhance their businesses. That afternoon, VCD UPH students were given the opportunity to meet and discuss with the SMEs to discover their needs regarding their businesses. We are thankful to Tata Rupa 2024 for the opportunity and invitation to collaborate.
Regina Susanto, an alumna of VCD UPH Graphic Design Concentration batch 2018, shared her experience and work on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024. She spoke during the Introduction to the Creative Industry course for the Graphic Design Concentration, where she discussed her experience in creating and managing her own studio, Heilo. We extend our gratitude to Regina for sharing her insights with us.
VCD UPH is participating in the Kiehl’s “Trash to Art” University Competition held by Kiehl’s. In this competition, the team from VCD UPH is challenged to create art from trash with a set of briefs and themes from the organizers. The artwork is currently being displayed at Senayan City. You can see the artwork and description below:
Bones 2095: Vivid Afterlife by Universitas Pelita Harapan
Description : “Bones 2095: Vivid Afterlife” is an evocative installation that thrusts the concept of “trash to art” into the future, marrying the indie spirit with the vibrant urban life of New York City. This piece utilizes discarded materials such as plastic waste, bottles, fabrics, as well as metals like wire and aluminum foil, capturing the essence of New York’s consumable culture in food and fashion. “Bones 2095” is a testament to the power of individual expression and the potential for sustainability within urban environments. Through the use of striking neon colors, it pays homage to New York’s graffiti scene, embodying bold and vibrant expressions of art. The title and the work itself evoke a futuristic perspective on ecological awareness and artistic creativity, portraying a vivid afterlife where discarded materials are reborn into a dazzling expression of indie and urban aesthetics.
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, VCD UPH held a Focus Group Discussion with MABAR Gaming, Sound Design UPH, and Information Systems UPH. The discussion in this Focus Group Discussion discusses the potential collaboration series and activities in game development. Hopefully, this FGD can be the gateway to extraordinary collaborations in the future.
Photo of Natasha Tontey, Photo Credit: Leandro Quintero 2022.
My name is Natasha Tontey. I am currently working as an artist and researcher. I studied in UPH from 2007 until 2011. My career started from working as a graphic designer and art director but my instinct and curiosity lead me into another pathway of becoming an artist and researcher. For me, design approach supports my artistic practice.
I believe some courses in DKV UPH would support the future wider career endeavour, especially Cross Cultural Design which was led by Bu Lala Santyaputri, encouraged us to organise a student exhibition outside the campus environment. This gives student a real practical experience beyond campus curriculum. Back then, we also had the late Pak Yongky Safanayong, the most-thought-provoking dean to our time. During the internship programme, I was an intern (and later employee) at Studio 1212 founded by Kak Max Suriaganda (lecturer of DKV 5 and Fashion Design), where I was taught the multidisciplinary aspect of design thinking through comprehensive methods. Not to forget, that one of the most memorable moment I had is the spatial experience of everyday life in Gedung B. The building is utilised for DKV classes, which was once a parking ramp that brought a Brutalist atmosphere alongside the depressive yet apocalyptic classroom in contrast with the hyper decorative kitschy scenery outside the building. A bizarre visual stimuli.
On the other note, I couldn’t recall which subject I found most impressive. As far as I remember, in UPH I met lecturers who were radically interesting who have become my mentors to this present day, Pak FX Harsono and Kak Max Suriaganda. Pak FX Harsono led the Aesthetic Philosophy course and was also my final assignment supervisor, whilst Kak Max led the DKV 5 and Fashion Design courses. In my opinion, visual communication design is very philosophical and does not have to be normative and industrial-based subject, so this course provides the basics for thinking about design philosophically, sustainably and multi-disciplinary.
Apart from the loaded assignments, studying at UPH was quite expensive. Time management is really crucial. Therefore, I am not sure whether to recommend it or not. However, to be honest, when I was in high school I was still confused about where to study, so maybe it would be better for the campus to provide more information for the potential candidates about visual communication design. I think understanding the inevitable high cost of campus assignment is important. There should be more engagements that might serve as opportunities for students and the general public. And, I hope the campus institution will foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation and creative response, to support students to work on the transformation of an existing project, the creative development of a new work, a new piece of research, or an experiment to try something new. Also perhaps it would be great for design campus institutions to reach and engage with diverse and broader cultural practices to foster the curious mind of the student.
Our parents might have a belief system for the ancient fiction called religion, but each religion has its own storytelling structure. What if we said, the only structure we should believe is the fiction inside our head.Every decision is fiction, all fiction is a decision.
Point 0.4 from the Manifesto of Tactile and Fanciful Tactics on How to Build a Speculative Future through 1.0 Alternatives and Plausible Cosmic Solutions — Natasha Tontey (2018)
Natasha Tontey is an artist and researcher based in between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Her artistic practice predominantly explores the fictional accounts of the history and myths surrounding ‘manufactured fear.’ In her practice, she observes any possibilities of other futures that are projected not from the perspective of major and established institutions, but a subtle and personal struggle of the outcasted entities and beings.
Her recent exhibitions include a solo show at Auto Italia, London, UK (2022). And selected group shows and screening at 34th Singapore International Film Festival (2023), Green Snakes at Tai Kwun Contemporary Hong Kong (2023), Voice Againts Reason at Museum MACAN Jakarta (2023), 57th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2023), Singapore Biennale (2022); De Stroom Den Haag (2022); GHOST;2565, Bangkok, Thailand (2022); Protozone8 Queer Trust, Zürich, Switzerland (2022); Arko Art Council, Seoul, Korea (2022), Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea (2022); Hamburger Bahnhof, Museum für Gegenwart, Berlin (2021); transmediale, Berlin (2021); Performance Space 2021, Sydney; Other Futures, Amsterdam (2021); Singapore International Film Festival (2021), Kyoto Experiment 2021; Asian Film Archive, Singapore (2021).
In 2020, she received the HASH Award from the ZKM, Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe and Akademie Schloss-Solitude. She was a fellow for Human Machine of the Junge Akademie at Akademie der Künste Berlin 2021-2023.
