UPH Visual Communication Design
Passionate, Brighter, and Transformational
On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, VCD UPH (Visual Communication Design at the University of Pelita Harapan) welcomed Mr. Nico Antonio Santoso (PT. Paperina Dwijaya) and Mr. Jaya Atmaja (PT. Heidelberg Indonesia) to the Printing Production class. Both of them attended as guest speakers in a lecture by industry practitioners. Thank you, Mr. Santoso and Mr. Atmaja, for your time in sharing your experiences at VCD UPH.
Hello, I’m Rinaldo Hartanto. I’m an alumnus from the class of 2011. At the time I was studying, there were no specializations, but I was always interested in illustration. Currently, I work as a studio manager and printmaker at Black Hand Gang Printmaking Studio in Ubud, Bali. Additionally, I work as a freelance illustrator and artist.
I started my studies at DKV UPH in 2007. During my time at university, I was quite active in the Department Student Association, especially in events like Artbound and student art exhibitions. My favorite place to hang out was, without a doubt, the library. With its extensive visual archives, comprehensive design and art books, and comfortable spaces, I enjoyed spending hours working on assignments and reading in the library. The painting studio was also one of my favorite places, especially in the later semesters.
As someone involved in the world of visual arts and illustration, I was impressed by various courses that covered history, culture, and illustration, including:
Even though I’m not currently working directly in the field of graphic design, DKV UPH equipped me with various practical skills and conceptual abilities related to systematic thinking, the graphic design paradigm as a visual problem-solving solution, creative concept development, and various pre-production processes in both print and digital graphic design.
I absolutely recommend others to learn at DKV UPH. Especially because of the passionate and caring teaching staff at DKV UPH. Currently, DKV UPH is equipped with excellent facilities such as printing and graphic studios. I’m somewhat envious of current students because they have access to these new facilities. So, for all you UPH students, make the most of these facilities while you can! The support system for students interested in film is also strong. I’ve noticed that many UPH students and alumni are showcasing their work at various film festivals.
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.
My name is Tiffany Wong. I’m an alumna of DKV UPH, with a concentration in DG, from the batch of 2017-2021. Currently, I am working as a freelance graphic and book designer while also pursuing my passion for print through “sore sore,” an indie publishing platform. My practice explores how personal experiences and emotions are represented by tangible objects alongside written language.
I entered DKV UPH with little to no knowledge of the graphic design world. As far as I knew, I only wanted to have the ability to communicate with visuals, as their brochure advertised that academic year. With only a basic skill in drawing typography, I was amazed when I learned that this skill was just the tip of the iceberg in the graphic design world. Nevertheless, I was thoroughly guided through it, with classes and programs that taught me more than enough to thrive in the industry.
Looking back at my days in DKV UPH, I can’t choose a favorite class as I see them all as a holistic experience that I cherish. However, two that were particularly momentous for me are Main Studio 1 and Experimental Typography. Main Studio 1 was when I first discovered my passion for book design, which I now pursue wholeheartedly. Experimental Typography, on the other hand, was when I delved deeply into the essence of graphic design. It was probably when I achieved the ability to communicate with visuals, fulfilling my freshman dream.
I must say that not only did I gain knowledge and new skills, but my time studying in DKV UPH was also a journey of self-discovery. As I learned the many elements of the graphic design world in my classes, I was also guided to nurture my passion. The lecturers and the learning environment at DKV UPH were nothing but supportive. I hope that many more students can experience this once-in-a-lifetime journey, as I did.
Tiffany Wong currently lives and works in Jakarta as a graphic designer, art director, and visual artist. She previously worked as a graphic designer for Artnivora and Jakarta Film Week, as well as the visual communication designer for Orasis Art Space. Her work has been featured on Behance in the InDesign and Editorial section and in Madrid Grafica 2021.
Tiffany specializes in editorial and book design, where she explores language and words in relation to the book as an object. Her deep admiration for individual experiences and the natural world has led her to create works deeply rooted in romanticism, described by some as ‘poetic,’ ‘raw,’ and ‘whimsical.’
“At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.” ― Warsan Shire
Our Newsletter for October 2023 has been published.
|
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.
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.
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.
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.
