This study aims to design an interactive visual book as a supportive medium for parental intervention in introducing basic sign language to children who are newly identified as deaf and beginning to learn sign language. Most deaf children are born to hearing parents who often lack prior knowledge and experience in deafness, leading to communication barriers and language delays. To address this issue, an early intervention strategy is needed that enables parents to communicate effectively using sign language. The design process adopts the double diamond and design thinking methods, involving literature studies, observations, and experimental design. Phenomenology, the AEIOU framework, and the system usability scale (SUS) were used as references in constructing questions for depth interviews. The resulting product is a board book titled Seri Waktu Bahasa Isyarat, designed not based on chronological age, but on the child’s stage of sign language acquisition. The content is organized around daily routines and includes BISINDO signs, realistic illustrations, repetitive elements, and QR code linked videos featuring sign language interpreters. This book is expected to assist parents in the early intervention process of introducing sign language to their children.
Often perceived as negative, the mangrove’s odor becomes the starting point of a dialogue between humans and nature. This case study reimagines the scent of decay as nature’s quiet language of life. What was once discomfort somewhat becomes dialogue for us, an invitation to feel, learn, and coexist. Through gentle design gestures, flowing water, and subtle sensory cues, the mangrove transforms into a living classroom powered by its own rhythm and energy. Elegance here is not in hiding what is raw, but in embracing it, breathing with nature, and finding beauty in what we once tried to avoid.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains an endemic disease in Indonesia, with the country ranking second in the world for total TB cases in 2023. Children under the age of 15 account for 15.3% of cases nationally, and in Surabaya, the figure rises to 25.7%. Children aged 10–12 are particularly vulnerable to pulmonary TB, especially those with poor nutritional status or exposure to cigarette smoke. To address the need for child-friendly health education, this study designed an educational comic to raise awareness of TB prevention and early detection among elementary school children. The design process involved literature review, expert-validated in-depth interviews, visual ideation, and user testing through pre-tests, post-tests, and engagement questionnaires. The comic, titled “TB Busters”, features a superhero theme and a culturally relevant setting in Surabaya, specifically around the Kedurus Public Health Center. It includes interactive quizzes, infographics, a nutrition leaflet, and a bookmark to enhance engagement. The comic was tested on 4th to 6th-grade students at SDN Kedurus III and SDN Warugunung I. Results showed that 82.36% of students (14 out of 17) improved their TB knowledge scores after reading the comic. On average, students spent 30 minutes to complete 60–70 pages. The narrative was intentionally designed to be non-didactic, supported by age-appropriate visual elements and relatable settings. The study concludes that an educational comic with a culturally grounded narrative and interactive features can serve as an effective tool to increase TB awareness among school-aged children.
This study aims to address the issue of suboptimal signage readability at Wisata Anyar Mangrove (WAM), Surabaya, Indonesia, which is a strategic asset for educational and conservation tourism. Although this area has unique flora and fauna, observations show that the existing signage, in terms of typography selection, color contrast, font size, and placement, hinders its main function as a guide, educational tool, and regulatory measure. This poor readability often causes visitors to become confused in navigating and understanding ecosystem information. The method used is descriptive qualitative, considering typography aspects, including legibility (clarity of letter forms) and readability (ease of reading letter arrangements). Typography in design is influenced by the complexity of the letters, the use of color, and the frequency of readers, while ease of reading is determined by the typeface, size, spacing, and color contrast against the background. The results of the study recommend redesigning and/or repositioning signage to improve functionality and the overall visitor experience. An example of redesigned prohibition signs shows the use of a bright red background with bold sans-serif text for maximum contrast, supported by the use of corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., ACP) that are suitable for coastal environments. This effort is expected to optimize WAM’s role as a sustainable ecotourism destination by ensuring that information is conveyed effectively, safely, and educationally.
Visual identity aims to enhance the positioning of a product or service. Visual identity and positioning are excellent strategies, especially to improve the brand image of a corporation, whether they are long-established or new, with the aim of competing with their competitors. Pacitan State Community College is a developing higher education institution in Pacitan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The institution has had a visual identity since its establishment in 2013, but there are still no rules or standards for the proper application of the identity. Therefore, there is a need to introduce a visual graphic standard manual design. The expected outcome is a manual that outlines the use of visual identity and visual elements in accordance with established standards and regulations, to prevent misuse by anyone.
Mangrove Ecotourism in Gunung Anyar, Surabaya, Indonesia, is a nature-based recreational area that supports coastal environmental preservation in an urban context. In such open spaces, signage plays a vital role in orientation, information delivery, and shaping visitors’ spatial behavior. However, signage placement in this area is still suboptimal; some signs are not visible or located in less strategic spots, causing visitors to feel confused when choosing movement directions. Informative signage is also less engaging, making visitors unaware of its presence. This study examines the relationship between signage placement and visitors’ spatial behavior, including stopping, reading, and movement patterns across different zones. Observations were conducted to assess ease of navigation and information clarity. The analysis aims to provide insights into how signage placement influences spatial behavior and comfort, offering direction for effective wayfinding design in mangrove ecotourism areas.
The Marina Tower located within the Mangrove ecotourism area of Gunung Anyar, Surabaya, Indonesia functions as both a viewing point and an educational facility that strengthens visitors’ interaction with the surrounding natural environment. This study aims to analyze the circulation and accessibility aspects of the tower, focusing on visitor movement and the integration of the structure within its ecological context. The research employs direct observation, spatial mapping, and documentation of access routes leading to and within the tower. The findings show that the circulation design, both horizontal and vertical, provides an effective flow of movement while offering optimal visual connections to the mangrove landscape. However, certain accessibility challenges remain, such as narrow pathways and the lack of inclusive design features for people with disabilities. The study highlights the importance of planning circulation and accessibility in ecotourism facilities to create inclusive, sustainable spaces that harmonize with their natural surroundings.
This study evaluates the safety standards and functional efficiency of Marina Tower at Gunung Anyar Mangrove Ecotourism in Surabaya, Indonesia. Using systematic observational methods, physical measurements, and behavioral mapping conducted on October 20, 2025, the research assessed structural safety systems, visitor experience, and operational management. Findings reveal significant safety gaps including inadequate fall protection with guardrail heights of 95–105 cm (below the 107 cm standard), material corrosion affecting 25–30% of structural surfaces, and insufficient safety signage with only four of 15 essential signs present. The study identified behavioral risks among visitors and underutilization of intermediate platform levels. While the tower offers exceptional visual experiences of the mangrove ecosystem, immediate interventions are necessary to meet international and national safety standards. Recommendations include raising guardrails, implementing comprehensive signage systems, establishing preventive maintenance programs, and incorporating educational interpretive elements to enhance both safety and the ecotourism educational value of the facility.
Pasar Modern Bintaro, a professionally managed urban public market in Bintaro Jaya, Indonesia, faced spatial navigation challenges, especially for first-time visitors. Despite its clean and organized environment, the market’s internal layout lacked effective signage, clear spatial zoning, and visible landmarks, which often led to user disorientation. This study examined how the market’s spatial configuration influenced wayfinding using a qualitative-descriptive approach, combining field observations, visitor interviews, and spatial analysis through space syntax methods, specifically axial map and visibility graph analysis (VGA) using DepthmapX software. The findings revealed low spatial intelligibility in several areas, particularly in kiosk and shop zones, due to poor visual connectivity and inconsistent gate signage. Based on the analysis, the study proposed spatially driven wayfinding interventions, such as repositioning gate signage for visibility from the parking area, regulating tenant signage placement, and introducing multi-directional hanging signs with clear visual cues. These interventions were expected to improve visual legibility, user orientation, and circulation efficiency within the market. The research demonstrated the potential of integrating space syntax analysis in public market design to support intuitive and inclusive navigation systems, ultimately enhancing visitor experience and spatial accessibility.
This study explores the development of official merchandise by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) as part of its transition toward becoming an entrepreneurial university. Despite its establishment under the Directorate of Cooperation and Business Management (DKPU), the merchandise unit faces challenges such as inconsistent visual communication design and lack of consumer engagement (ITS students). To address this, the research proposes a visual approach that highlights the unique student narrative, “Iso Turu Sangar,” to strengthen emotional connection and foster a sense of belonging. Data were collected through literature review, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews with stakeholders, including students, alumni, and institutional units. The design thinking method, BITE system, and morphological matrix were used to analyze and develop relevant merchandise concepts. The findings indicate that the “Iso Turu Sangar” theme effectively represents students’ shared experiences and resonates with their culture. The resulting designs offer a contextual visual identity that aligns with institutional branding while allowing creative expression. This approach is expected to improve merchandise appeal, reinforce visual identity consistency, and enhance emotional engagement between students and the university through meaningful, student-centered designs.
This study explores the role of strategically designed print marketing media in enhancing customer trust within the B2B market, focusing on PT Siklus Karya Global, a company transitioning from B2C to B2B. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research identifies trust-building factors credibility, relevance, clarity, consistency, and performance evidence essential to B2B communication. The study involved observation, in-depth interviews, and testing of newly designed brochures, sample kits, and catalogs. Results reveal that tailored visual design and information presentation significantly influence professional perception and decision-making processes of business clients. The findings highlight the importance of integrating strategic visual communication with sustainable design practices to reflect brand values and reliability. This research contributes to the field of design strategy by offering insights into how print-based media can reinforce trust and support brand repositioning in the B2B context.
Innovative and practical stool designs can enrich the experience of visitors, especially aesthetic cafes in big cities like Surabaya, Indonesia. In big cities, with high mobility and urbanization, the minimalist trend is an effective trend. This design aims to develop comfort and safety, combining butterfly mechanical system technology so that the design adjusts to the visitor’s body height, as well as designing a practical stool so that it saves on placement and attracts many visitors. In addition, the main focus of the design is on practicality, with the aim of saving space for placing benches in the room. Through an interview approach, as well as observation and analysis of the latest trends, we integrate the various needs and preferences of visitors in stool design. We researched the ergonomic needs of visitors as well as the practical and aesthetic needs of the space in the cafe. We also take into account dynamic changes in interior design preferences and industry trends. In doing so, this design combines elements that are important to visitors and business owners to create a better experience and more efficient space.
Educational furniture design, particularly lecture chairs, constitutes a critical determinant of student comfort and academic productivity within learning environments. However, conventional evaluations predominantly emphasize physical attributes while neglecting holistic user experience dimensions. This study employs the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) methodology to assess lecture chair design performance, addressing the evolving behavioral patterns of contemporary learners and their increasing reliance on digital learning devices including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. These technological shifts have generated novel requirements for comfort and functional integration in lecture seating to accommodate device-mediated learning activities. Adopting a user-centered evaluation framework, this research systematically examines design attributes influencing comfort perception and user satisfaction throughout the learning process. The methodological approach integrates quantitative surveys with direct observational protocols conducted within authentic classroom contexts. A cohort of 100 Generation Z design students, representing both male and female demographics, participated in the empirical investigation. The collected data underwent analysis through the UEQ instrument to quantify user satisfaction levels with the existing chair configuration. The findings are anticipated to yield actionable insights regarding lecture chair performance from the experiential perspective of Generation Z users.
The Gunung Anyar Mangrove Forest in Surabaya, Indonesia is a popular destination for both nature and educational tourism. One of its supporting facilities is a gazebo that serves as a resting area for visitors. However, the existing gazebos are still less optimal in terms of comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. This study aims to analyze the form and interior design of the gazebos to optimize their visual and functional quality in enhancing the tourism experience. The research was conducted in October 2025 using direct observation and literature study methods. Data were collected through on-site assessments of the gazebo’s physical condition and surrounding environment. The findings indicate that the gazebos are rarely used due to humid temperatures, lack of sunlight exposure, unpleasant odors, and the presence of mosquitoes. This study is expected to provide design recommendations for more comfortable, functional, and attractive gazebos in the Gunung Anyar mangrove forest.
The Menak Sopal folklore from Trenggalek, East Java, Indonesia was once a popular story but is now being forgotten, even though its narrative offers rich visual potential. This study is a continuation of a previous batik motif design project based on the Menak Sopal story. In this phase, the focus is directed toward fauna characters and environmental elements that contribute to the story’s atmosphere. Until now, Trenggalek batik motifs have mainly featured elements of nature, art, and tourism without exploring the roles of fauna and environmental settings present in the local folklore. This project aims to visualize fauna characters and the environment from the Menak Sopal story into batik motifs through a stylization approach characteristic of classical batik design. The methods used include literature study, direct observation, and in-depth interviews within a qualitative research framework. The collected data were then developed through experimental design studies to generate design concepts, followed by expert validation to finalize the motifs. The outcome consists of batik motifs that depict supporting fauna figures and distinctive environmental elements from the Menak Sopal story. This design is expected to enrich the visual diversity of Trenggalek batik and contribute to the preservation of local cultural heritage through a narrative and context-based visual approach.
Color is one of the most influential components in interior design, shaping how people visually perceive, experience, and identify a space. In the context of commercial interiors such as merchandise stores located within natural tourism areas, color schemes serve both aesthetic and strategic purposes to capture visitors’ attention while fostering a sense of comfort. This research examines how the use of color contributes to the overall spatial atmosphere and visual identity of the merchandise store at the Mangrove Tourism Park in Gunung Anyar, Surabaya, Indonesia. Using direct observation methods, the study analyzes the color arrangements of the interior along with visitors’ interactions with the space. The results show that a cohesive palette reflecting the mangrove environment combinations of green, earthy brown, and neutral tones effectively enhances spatial identity, improves visual comfort, and encourages longer visitor engagement. These insights align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which advocates for inclusive, aesthetically engaging, and environmentally sustainable public environments.
The city of Surabaya, Indonesia is home to numerous historic cemeteries that reflect the city’s social, cultural, and architectural evolution across different eras. However, the visual documentation of these heritage sites remains limited, resulting in a lack of public awareness regarding their historical value and the urgency of their preservation. This community engagement project aims to document seven cultural heritage cemeteries in Surabaya, namely the Eyang Kudo Kardono Cemetery Complex, Sunan Bungkul Cemetery Complex, Sentono Boto Putih Cemetery Complex, F.J. Rothenbuhler Cemetery, Former Dutch-European Cemetery of Peneleh, Ereveld Kembang Kuning, and Kusuma Bangsa Heroes Cemetery. The documentation process involves literature studies, field observations, and interviews with historians and related stakeholders. Collected data include historical and architectural information, along with photographic and illustrative records. These findings will be compiled into a book that serves as a systematic documentation medium, supporting the efforts of the public, academics, and government in cultural preservation. Additionally, public discussions will be held as an educational platform to foster greater community participation in heritage conservation. Through a visual communication design approach, this initiative contributes to enriching Surabaya’s historical documentation and inspiring future preservation efforts.
The aim of educational media development in this research is to improve the life skills of people living in disaster-prone areas with Participatory Action Research. This research aims to develop educational media for disaster mitigation. Educational media for disasters that have been developed by utilizing technology reach elementary school students without any concern about understanding and proper feedback from the audience. The social and cultural problems are the gap between technology and users, inadequate infrastructure, and user demographic conditions, create a gap between information and the target audience. Participants were exposed to strengths and values from knowledge about disaster preparedness and mitigation; afterward participants were expected to produce new knowledge. Participatory research places a strong value on democracy and control over one’s living conditions to confirm the argument and a strong commitment to democratize the knowledge production process. Elementary high school students are targeted as users who live in the disaster-prone area that is exposed to hydrometeorology disaster in everyday life. The Cogenerative Action Research Model was implemented as an approach for the community to produce their own knowledge based on credible resources. The development of a sociotagging activity as part of social campaign to strengthen the vulnerability caused by a lack of disaster education. The implementation of this research was tested in several disaster-prone areas in Indonesia with hydrometeorology disaster characteristics.
Children in remote regions of Indonesia often have limited exposure to diverse professions, which restricts their aspirations to familiar roles such as teachers or soldiers. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of motion graphics as an educational medium for expanding students’ awareness of various careers through integrated verbal and visual representations. The research involved 50 elementary students from Sekolah Dasar Katolik Oka, in Niramesi Village, Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, who participated in an inspiration class on August 17, 2025. Using a pre-test and post-test design, students were asked about the profession they knew and desired before and after viewing a motion graphics showcasing eight professions: astronaut, designer, chef, scientist, architect, train engineer, programmer, and pilot. All the students watched the 4-minute motion graphic projected onto the classroom whiteboard. During the viewing, they simultaneously performed movement that mimicked the symbolic gesture of professions depicted in the animation. The results indicate a significant diversification of students’ aspirations, with increased interest in unfamiliar professions, such as chef (24%), astronaut (20%), pilot (18%), and scientist (16%). These findings support Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning, which posits that learning is more effective when words and images are processed together. Additionally, students’ physical engagement through mimicking professional gestures aligns with Gardner’s multiple intelligence and Dewey’s learning by doing, reinforcing kinesthetic and visual-spatial learning. In conclusion, motion graphics can function not only as an informative tool but also as an inspiring and participatory visual medium that bridges educational and imaginative gaps for children in remote communities.
The mangrove Wonorejo ecotourism area in Surabaya, Indonesia is characterized by a hot-humid climate and high solar exposure, affecting visual comfort for visitors. This observation report aims to assess the current natural daylighting conditions and propose an adaptive shading system as a responsive interior technology solution suitable for coastal environments. Data were collected through on-site observation and qualitative evaluation of visitor spatial behavior along pedestrian paths and resting points. Findings indicate noticeable glare and excessive light reflection in areas shaded by existing plastic and metal sheet roofing, which have high heat conductivity and lack dynamic daylight control. A proposed adaptive shading system, integrating modular perforated panels and automated louvers, may optimize comfortable daylight while enhancing airflow. This solution is expected to improve visitor comfort, promote sustainability, and support climate-adaptive design strategies for mangrove-based ecotourism.
