UCSI graduating students showcase graphic and animation designs at KL City Gallery

KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University’s (UCSI) De Institute of Creative Arts & Design (ICAD) recently exhibited the graphic design and 3D animation artworks of its graduating students at the Kuala Lumpur (KL) City Gallery. 

Themed ‘Verve’ in a nod towards the energy, enthusiasm, inspiration and vigour that are essential for young and aspiring artists and designers, the graduation showcase is the culmination of the students’ two years of study under the Diploma in Graphic Design and Diploma in 3D Animation Design programmes at ICAD. 

“This is an ideal platform for our graduating students to introduce themselves to the ever-growing design industry,” said Professor Dato’ Dr Ahmad Haji Zainuddin, Director of ICAD and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and International of UCSI University, who officiated the event.

“By showcasing their work in public, they’d be able to gain constructive feedback from key industry players as well as art enthusiasts. This will help them grow as artists and designers.”

From sketches to paintings, digital illustrations and miniature sculptures, the artworks on display were a part of the students’ final portfolio project that involved months of ideation, planning and execution. The result was the manifestation of unique concepts and creative applications that were finely balanced with the critical fundamentals of art and design conventions.

The event also included the presentation of the Best Student Award in two categories.

Graphic design student Chong Kai Qi won the Best Student Diploma in Graphic Design 2016 award while 3D animation student Lau Pei Ying proudly walked home with the Best Student Diploma in 3D Animation 2016 award.

This showcase is not UCSI’s first collaboration with KL City Gallery. In August this year, the gallery commissioned the University’s fashion design students to create exclusive 10-foot-long outfits made entirely out of paper as well as sketches and illustrations of outfits designed to the theme of ‘KL Town’. The exhibition was live for two months. 

“We constantly challenge our students to strive for creative, interesting and even disruptive forms of design and they have never failed to rise to the occasion,” said Prof Ahmad. “I am very proud of them and of our faculty for raising the bar in all that they do.” 

ICAD’s tenacious commitment to design excellence has seen its rapid rise in prominence despite its billing as the youngest design institute in the region. The Institute has nurtured creative talents like fashion design graduate Lee Bao En who recently headlined the 2016 KL Fashion Week and current graphic design student Cheng Meng Liang who was a semi-finalist at the Adobe Design Achievement Awards 2016 held in San Diego, California. Cheng was also invited as a guest speaker at the wREGA x PAM Exhibition 2016 where his works were showcased.