Source: https://kilasjatim.com/2026/06/12/mahasiswa-vcd-uc-ubah-musik-jadi-karya-visual-emosional/

UC VCD Students Transform Music into Emotional Visual Art

12 June, 2026

KILASJATIM.COM, Surabaya – Second-semester students in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) program at Ciputra University Surabaya presented a unique way of expressing emotions through the exhibition “Feel the Emotion: Of the Sound, Image, & Synesthesia,” held at Copreneur, Ciputra University.

Through this exhibition, dozens of students showcased visual works inspired by four original songs they composed themselves. The music they composed was then translated into various visual media, such as 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’ understanding of design as a medium that relies on more than just visual elements. “Good design isn’t just enjoyed by the eyes. Design is capable of engaging other senses, interacting with sound, touch, and human emotions. Through this project, students learn to translate experiences into meaningful visual communication,” Pandu explained.

According to Pandu, the multisensory approach is becoming increasingly relevant as the global creative industry evolves to prioritize more immersive and emotional experiences for audiences.

The exhibition’s chair, Benaya Christofer F., said the concept was inspired by the phenomenon of synesthesia—the interconnection between the senses that allows a person to associate sounds with specific colors or shapes. “Usually, music is just heard. In this exhibition, we’re trying to translate music into a visual experience that can be seen and felt. Each piece 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 lengthy creative process. The students first composed a song as the primary foundation before developing a visual concept that aligns with the message they wanted to convey.

Through this exhibition, VCD students at Ciputra University demonstrate that visual communication design is no longer merely about conveying information, but has also become a medium for building deeper experiences and emotional connections with the audience. (tok)