The International Undergraduate Program in Visual Communication Design
“Digital Visual Narrative”
The Visual Communication Design (DKV) Undergraduate Program at FSRD ITB prepares students to become creative designers and researchers with strong critical thinking, practical skills, and leadership. In DKV ITB, you learn how to design visual communication solutions for information, identity, and persuasion—through a project-based process that starts from understanding people (research), developing ideas, making prototypes, and producing final works across different media.
What makes DKV ITB stand out is its research-driven and methodical design approach, a strong foundation in visual language, the use of digital technology, and a deep exploration of Indonesian culture and local values as a source of ideas and meaning.
Chair of Undergraduate Program in Visual Communication Design
Pathways
DKV ITB offers 4 specialization tracks across the Jatinangor campuses, covering areas such as:
- Illustration–sequential art–animation
- Film and CGI
- Digital game
- Extended Reality (AR/ VR)
Illustration–sequential art–animation
Film and CGI
Digital Game
Extended Reality (AR/ VR)
Curiculum
Overview
All students will undergo education in the Common Preparatory Program (TPB). Students will be introduced to various basic subjects. During this period students are listed as faculty/school students. At the end of the first year, students will choose a study program based on their interests and academic achievements.
Students have entered the selected study program. In the second year, all students will conduct academic exploration through the subjects offered by the study program.
Students will begin to do conceptualization and specialization in science.
Students start doing a final project as one of the requirements for obtaining a bachelor's degree.
Course Semester
| Courses | Credit |
| Figurative Drawing | 3 |
| Constructive Drawing | 3 |
| Visual Elementary in Two-Dimensional | 3 |
| Visual Elementary in Three-Dimensional | 3 |
| Computational Thinking | 2 |
| Pancasila | 2 |
| Introduction to Principles of Sustainability | 2 |
| Basic Laboratory in Art, Design | 2 |
| Courses | Credit |
| Principle of Visual Communication Design | 3 |
| Principle of Illustration | 3 |
| Introduction to Engineering and Design | 3 |
| Indonesian Language | 2 |
| Sports | 1 |
| Artificial Intelligence and Data Literacy | 2 |
| Human Creativity | 2 |
| Courses | Credit |
| Visual Communication Design 1 | 4 |
| Typography | 3 |
| Basic Illustration | 3 |
| Photography | 3 |
| Creative Storytelling | 2 |
| Visual Perception Psychology | 2 |
| History of Design | 2 |
| Courses | Credit |
| Visual Communication Design 2 | 4 |
| Motion Graphic | 3 |
| Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| Videography | 3 |
| Target Audience | 2 |
| Character Animation | 3 |
| Design Method | 2 |
| English | 2 |
| Courses | Credit | ||
| Art Directing for Visual Communication | 3 | ||
| Digital Storytelling | 3 | ||
| Visual Language | 3 | ||
| Design Critics | 2 | ||
| Research Methods | 2 | ||
| Courses | Credit | ||
| Professional Visual Communication Design Portofolio | 3 | ||
| Visual Communication Design Seminar | 2 | ||
| Courses | Credit | ||
| Visual Communication Design 5 | 5 | ||
| Business and Entrepreneurship Management | 2 | ||
| Civic Education | 2 | ||
| Religion | 2 | ||
| Visual Communcation Design Internship | 3 | ||
| Courses | Credit |
| Art, Design Environment | 3 |
| Visual Communication Design Final Project | 6 |
Partner University & Expenses
Accommodation — £400–£700 • • • Meals (Groceries) — £100–£150 • • • Transport — £30–£50 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — £50–£100 • • • Internet & Mobile — £20–£40 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — £100–£200 ——— Estimated Total per Month — £900–£1,300 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 18–26 million
Accommodation — £400–£700 • • • Meals (Groceries) — £100–£150 • • • Transport — £30–£50 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — £50–£100 • • • Internet & Mobile — £20–£40 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — £100–£200 ——— Estimated Total per Month — £900–£1,300 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 18–26 million
Accommodation — ¥37,000–¥60,000 • • • Meals (Groceries) — ¥21,000–¥25,000 • • • Transport — ¥4,000–¥7,000 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — ¥7,000–¥10,000 • • • Internet & Mobile — ¥3,000–¥5,000 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — ¥15,000–¥30,000 ——— Estimated Total per Month — ¥90,000–¥120,000 (typical) Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 9–13 million
Accommodation — ¥37,000–¥60,000 • • • Meals (Groceries) — ¥21,000–¥25,000 • • • Transport — ¥4,000–¥7,000 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — ¥7,000–¥10,000 • • • Internet & Mobile — ¥3,000–¥5,000 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — ¥15,000–¥30,000 ——— Estimated Total per Month — ¥90,000–¥120,000 (typical) Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 9–13 million
Accommodation — S$400–S$700 (shared) • • • Meals (Groceries) — S$250–S$350 • • • Transport — S$45–S$60 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — S$80–S$120 (if not included) • • • Internet & Mobile — S$20–S$40 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — S$150–S$300 ——— Estimated Total per Month — S$1,200–S$1,600 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 14–19 million
Accommodation — S$400–S$700 (shared) • • • Meals (Groceries) — S$250–S$350 • • • Transport — S$45–S$60 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — S$80–S$120 (if not included) • • • Internet & Mobile — S$20–S$40 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — S$150–S$300 ——— Estimated Total per Month — S$1,200–S$1,600 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 14–19 million
Accommodation — ¥2,000–¥4,000 • • • Meals (Groceries) — ¥700–¥1,800 • • • Transport — ¥150–¥300 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — ¥200–¥300 • • • Internet & Mobile — ¥80–¥150 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — ¥800–¥1,500 ——— Estimated Total per Month — ¥4,500–¥7,500 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 9–15 million
Accommodation — ¥2,000–¥4,000 • • • Meals (Groceries) — ¥700–¥1,800 • • • Transport — ¥150–¥300 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — ¥200–¥300 • • • Internet & Mobile — ¥80–¥150 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — ¥800–¥1,500 ——— Estimated Total per Month — ¥4,500–¥7,500 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 9–15 million
Accommodation — AU$700–AU$1,200 • • • Meals (Groceries) — AU$250–AU$400 • • • Transport — AU$60–AU$140 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — AU$80–AU$150 • • • Internet & Mobile — AU$30–AU$60 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — AU$200–AU$350 ——— Estimated Total per Month — AU$1,300–AU$2,200 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 14–24 million
Accommodation — AU$700–AU$1,200 • • • Meals (Groceries) — AU$250–AU$400 • • • Transport — AU$60–AU$140 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — AU$80–AU$150 • • • Internet & Mobile — AU$30–AU$60 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — AU$200–AU$350 ——— Estimated Total per Month — AU$1,300–AU$2,200 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 14–24 million
Accommodation — AU$700–AU$1,200 • • • Meals (Groceries) — AU$250–AU$400 • • • Transport — AU$60–AU$140 • • • Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas) — AU$80–AU$150 • • • Internet & Mobile — AU$30–AU$60 • • • Personal Expenses & Lifestyle — AU$200–AU$350 ——— Estimated Total per Month — AU$1,300–AU$2,200 Equivalent in IDR — Approximately 14–24 million
Career
Visual Communication Design FSRD ITB developed several collaborations with industry at the national and international levels, including with several related professional and academics associations such as the Indonesian Visual Communication Design Professional Association (AIDIA), Indonesian Graphic Design Association (ADGI), Indonesian Animation Industry Association (AINAKI), Indonesian Game Association (AGI), and Asia Digital Art and Design Association (ADADA).
Through this collaboration, Visual Communication Design FSRD ITB ensures the prospects of its graduates to be able to work mainly in various the creative industries: visual communication design, film & animation, advertising, game, and application development sectors with various job roles such as:
- Graphic designer,
- UI/UX designer,
- Game designer,
- Character designer,
- Illustrators,
- Concept artists,
- Animators,
- Videographers,
- Photographers,
- Art directors,
- New media designers,
- etc
Alumni Testimonials
1. Miralti Firmansyah
Miralti Firmansyah is a talented illustrator whose career took a pivotal turn after meeting C.B. Cebulski, writer and editor at Marvel Comics, at a 2014 convention. Since then, she has contributed to several high-profile Marvel titles, including Star-Lord & Kitty Pryde, X-Men ’92, Gwenpool, and Thor vs. Hulk: Champions of The Universe.
A graduate of Visual Communication Design from Institut Teknologi Bandung, Miralti has been recognized for her early achievements, including top awards in Jabotabek Architectural Competitions and the PKAN Comic Cover Competition. Her distintive artistic style and consistent excellence continue to make her a rising talent in the global comics industry. She described her college years at Intitut Teknologi Bandung as memorable and unpredictable. During her studies, she came to understand that Visual Communication Design (DKV) is closely intertwined with fine art, which made her love for the field grow even deeper
Miralti also mentioned that since starting her career in the comics industry and bulding international connections, she has learned that communication and responsibility especially meeting deadlines are crucial. No matter how high an artist’s skil level may be, poor communication with editors or writers can negatively impact professional relationships.
2. Adi Panuntun
Adi Panuntun is a visionary creative leader known for bridging art, technology, and urban innovation in Indonesia’s creative industry. With a strong passion for immersive storytelling and city-driven creative movements, he has played a key role in shaping collaborative ecosystems that connect artists, designers, technologists, and communities.
He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Sembilan Matahari, an innovative studio specializing in art-tech installations, immersive experiences, video mapping, and spatial and lighting design. He also serves as Chairman of BCCF (Bandung Creative City Forum), and is the Co-Founder and Chief of Design of PT Nirmana Kinetic Rekayasa Indonesia.
Though his work today may seem highly technological, its foundation remains design. Reflecting on his time at DKV, Adi emphasizes that the program taught him how to think, not just how to draw. The most relevant lessons for his career include composition and aesthetics, typography and visual sensitivity, concept and storytelling, and most importantly critical design thinking. Today, he applies these principles across diverse “canvases” heritage buildings, cliffs, forests, rivers, trees, and immersive spaces always guided by rhythm, contrast, scale, narrative, and emotion. DKV trained his visual intuition and conceptual discipline, ensuring that his work is not only visually striking but also meaningful.
For young designers, Adi highlights several key principles: bring local context instead of following global trends, master the fundamentals, collaborate across disciplines, be consistent, and be brave in sharing your work internationally. “It is your local identity that gives your work relevance globally,” he says, “and a strong reputation is built over time, not from a single viral piece.”
To new students entering the DKV International Class, he adds: this program is not just about English it is about thinking across cultures. Use it to build a global network, understand different perspectives, and present your ideas internationally. Yet never forget your roots: the more global you become, the stronger your understanding of your local context must be. As Adi puts it, “DKV is a way to read and write the world through visuals.”
3. Rianti Hidayat
Success always begins with small steps and the fundamentals learned along the way. It is a principle that Rianti Hidayat has carried with her throughout her professional and international career. Her role as Chief Designer at Gungho Online Entertainment Inc., along with her work as an illustrator for the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Disney Lorcana, is proof of how steadfastly she has upheld this philosophy.
Rianti Hidayat completed her studies in Visual Communication Design (DKV) at Institut Teknologi Bandung. It was memorable for being surrounded by talented, passionate classmates who pushed her to grow. Those early years shaped more than her technical ability, they shaped her mindset. The creative energy of her peers, combined with countless opportunities beyond the classroom such as competitions, collaborative projects, and visits from international professors.
Behind the glamour of an international career, however, lies discipline and strategy. Rianti often emphasizes a practical truth: working abroad requires more than talent. A portfolio must be strong enough that a company is confident in supporting the visa process, which can be detailed and time-intensive. In parallel, immigration authorities carefully assess academic qualifications, professional achievements, and institutional background as part of their standard evaluation procedures. When she was accepted at Ubisoft Singapore, her master’s degree certificate may not have been a primary consideration for the HR team, but it played an important role in fulfilling formal requirements.
For Rianti, this is why foundations matter. Institut Teknologi Bandung was not just where she learned to draw; it was where she built credibility, discipline, and a way of thinking that continues to support her career internationally.
Her message to new students entering the DKV International Class is both simple and profound: master the fundamentals. Tools will evolve. Technology will advance. Trends will shift. But the core principles of art and design endure. With strong foundations, courage, and persistence, creative work can travel far across industries, across cultures, and across borders.
