Focus on art: Seek-a-Seek aims to put the focus back on the artistry of Indonesian graphic design.

Behind deadlines and under managements’ pressure, an exhibition attempts to bring graphic designers back to their art roots.

Graphic design has grown into one of the most-sought after careers in Indonesia. The thought of someone living off this particular creative enterprise might have raised questions a decade ago, but an increasing need for image building and the importance of quality branding has made the idea of pursuing a career in graphic design seem valid.

This change has brought about a closer relationship between art and commerce, resulting in start-ups that look right from the get go.

Under this new relationship, the creative process that goes into designing and branding often gets lost, shuffled under endless marketing plans and presentations.

A curated exhibition titled “Seek-A-Seek” aims to put back the art in design.

Taking place at Dia.Lo.Gue in Kemang, the exhibition features displays and presentations by well-regarded design agencies and graphic artists. Indonesia’s Creative Economy Body (Bekraf), Dia.Lo.Gue, the Indonesian Graphic Designer Institution (ADGI) and Desain Grafis Indonesia (DGI) organized the event, dividing it into three: Exhibition, Pasar Seni (art market), and Design Talk.

The event’s tagline makes its goal clear — “Why don’t we pause, review and celebrate graphic design’s processes and creative works?”

Until June 11, visitors will be able to bask in products created by local graphic designers, live shows by guest performers, talk-shows, workshops and other activities.

According to Ismiaji Cahyono, a representative of DGI, the event aims to celebrate the graphic design scene in Indonesia as a whole.

“We are celebrating graphic design. Not merely in terms of its end result, but in the diversity of its media, the creative process, the history, and the scale of the project and the people behind it. This will be done through a variety of activities that encourage dialogue between the organizers and the visitors,” explains Ismiaji.

The organizers hope to send a message that graphic design has played a crucial part in shaping Indonesia’s culture and civilization. The way graphic design informs creative economy is, according to Ismiaji, something that needs to be noticed.

It hasn’t reached its peak potential yet.

For the organizers, the quality of local graphic design is not yet balanced by its economic value.

“The problem is the different standards of graphic design graduates,” said Ismiaji. “This will affect the level of appreciation by those who hire designers,” he added.

Another issue is the discrepancy between the level of education and the industry, which ultimately means that, in Indonesia, businesses have little knowledge and appreciation of the importance of quality branding and design.

Seek -A-Seek involves more than 70 Indonesian graphic designers, including Hanny Kardinata, and well-known graphic design institutions Maksimedia, Makki Makki, Inkara, Thinking Room and FullFill. The event also features vendors from the design world such as Heimlo, Blackbook, Jewel Rocks, Kelly Wrapping Paper, Sanoesa, and Tukartu.

Seek -A-Seek organizers hope that the event will bring Indonesian graphic design to the forefront; not only in its own country but worldwide.

“This industry is relatively new,” said Ismiaji. “It is still trying to secure its identity, trying to set quality standards, and trying to build infrastructure. It’s still a teenager. But strong growth, especially since the 1990s, shows that it has the potential to grow,” he added.

Seek-A-Seek
Dia.Lo.Gue
May 20 – June 11
Free
More info:
dialogue-artspace.com

— Courtesy of ADGI and DGI

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