Highlighting Gen Z Issues, UC Students Translate Emotions in Music into Visual Art
June 12, 2026
jatim.jpnn.com, SURABAYA – Second-semester students in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) program at Ciputra University (UC) in Surabaya presented a unique way of interpreting human emotions through an exhibition titled “Feel the Emotion: Of the Sound, Image, & Synesthesia.”
Through this exhibition, the public is invited not only to listen to music but also to see and feel the emotions contained within it through visual works.
Held at Ciputra University’s Copreneur, the exhibition features dozens of student works inspired by four original songs they composed themselves. Each student wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and then translated the song’s meaning and atmosphere into various visual media—including album covers, posters, photography, illustrations, and interconnected visual identities.
Pandu R Utomo, a Visual Communication Design lecturer at Ciputra University, explained that the project was designed to broaden students’ perspectives on design as a medium capable of reaching beyond mere sight.
“Good design isn’t just enjoyed by the eyes. Design can engage other senses, interact with sound, touch, and taste, create impressions, stimulate the mind, and evoke emotions. Through this project, students learn how an experience can be translated into meaningful visual communication,” Pandu explained on Friday (June 12).
According to Pandu, this approach is becoming increasingly relevant as the global creative industry evolves toward more immersive and multisensory experiences. Designers are no longer merely expected to produce aesthetically pleasing work, but must also be able to build an emotional connection with their audience.
This phenomenon is reflected in the students’ works, which address various issues close to the lives of Generation Z—ranging from the search for identity, family and friendship relationships, loss, and hope, to reflections on everyday experiences.
Pandu hopes this exhibition will not only serve as a space to appreciate the students’ work but also demonstrate the evolution of visual communication design, which is increasingly moving toward a human-centered approach.
“Design work no longer serves merely to convey information; rather, it has become a medium for creating experiences, sparking reflection, and fostering deeper emotional connections,” said Pandu.
Exhibition chair Benaya Christofer F said the exhibition’s concept was inspired by synesthesia, a phenomenon that describes the interconnection between the senses—such as seeing colors when hearing certain sounds.
“Usually, music is only heard. In this exhibition, we’re trying to translate music into a visual experience that can be seen and felt. Each work has a different story, atmosphere, and emotion based on the creator’s experience,” said Benaya.
He added that all the works on display were the result of a fairly lengthy creative process. The students did not just design the visuals; they first composed a song as the primary foundation before developing a visual concept that aligned with the message they wanted to convey. (mcr12/jpnn)