Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) continues to make its mark in the national creative scene, with its Product Design students excelling in major competitions. Most recently, Shania Agustine Kartika Dewi Abiel Utomo, a student from UKDW’s Product Design Department, recognized as a finalist at the Indonesia Footwear Creative Competition (IFCC) 2024. This achievement highlights UKDW’s active participation in fostering innovation and creativity in Indonesia’s footwear industry.
The IFCC, organized by the Indonesian Footwear Development Center (BPIPI), is an annual competition designed to tap into the creativity of young designers, offering them a platform to showcase their skills in sustainable innovation. The event aims to draw younger generations into the footwear industry by promoting digital creativity in areas such as photography, videography, and footwear design.
UKDW, recognizing the importance of such platforms, actively encouraged its students to participate. Dr. Winta Tridhatu Satwikasanti, a lecturer in UKDW’s Product Design Department, motivated her students to join the 2024 competition. “The competition is directly related to our final semester project, where students explore both the physical and emotional needs of users in footwear design. It’s an excellent opportunity for them to develop creativity while integrating into Indonesia’s design ecosystem,” Dr. Winta explained.
Shania Agustine Kartika Dewi Abiel Utomo, guided by this approach, successfully earned the Golden Finalist title for her design titled The Beauty of Cenderawasih. Her entry, which won in the Footwear Design category, was inspired by the bird-of-paradise, or Cenderawasih, reflecting her passion for Indonesia’s rich cultural and natural heritage, particularly from Papua.
“The design, The Beauty of Cenderawasih, is a high-heeled shoe inspired by the wings of the bird-of-paradise, with vibrant colors like yellow, red, and emerald green. It symbolizes beauty, elegance, and the strength of Indonesian women in pursuing their dreams,” Shania shared.
The design process involved extensive research on Papua’s culture, the bird-of-paradise, and environmental challenges. Shania produced six sketches based on her research, eventually selecting one final design, which she rendered using Photoshop. After passing the second stage of judging, Shania presented her design at the Grand Final, held at Ciputra University, Surabaya.
“The 2024 IFCC sub-theme, Explore the Potential, aims to push Indonesia to the next level. For me, Indonesia’s greatest asset is its cultural and natural richness. Papua, in particular, is a region with immense untapped potential. By choosing the bird-of-paradise and traditional weaving from Arborek Island in Raja Ampat, I wanted to raise awareness about these treasures while highlighting the importance of preserving them,” Shania reflected.
Her participation and achievement demonstrate UKDW’s commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation, further establishing the university as a key player in Indonesia’s growing design ecosystem. [FAD.SAK/trans&ed.drr]