Depok-The Master of Applied Creative Industries study program in the Vocational Education Program at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) has designed the Creative Industry for Sustainability Movement Convention (COSMIC) as a practical learning implementation space that emphasizes creativity, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
This is to address the challenges of the country’s rapidly growing creative industry. A report by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy indicates that the creative economy sector will contribute more than IDR 1,300 trillion to Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2024. This figure demonstrates significant growth in the design, media, and innovation-based product subsectors.
UI also held an exhibition themed Weaving Creativity for a Sustainable Future, which was initiated as a form of practical learning implementation as well as a real contribution to the development of an environmentally friendly creative industry.
Located in the UI Vocational Literacy Park, COSMIC is present as a space for appreciating creative works that integrate environmental issues, innovation, and artistic expression in an ecosystem.
(Photo: Talk show session with Reza Hasfinanda, Founder and CEO of Plustik)
One of the main series of COSMIC is a talk show session featuring Reza Hasfinanda, founder and CEO of Plustik, a creative company that produces econbricks from plastic waste.
Reza shares his experiences and insights on how recycling can be a concrete solution to reducing real waste, while simultaneously opening up opportunities for the creative industry based on sustainable materials.
“Recycling isn’t just about processing waste, but also about changing our mindset about materials. When creativity meets sustainability, that’s where the future of Indonesia’s creative industry can thrive,” said Reza.
The creative industry is now one of the fastest-growing sectors in Indonesia. Furthermore, global environmental issues continue to drive industrial transformation. Data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that the world produces over 400 million tons of plastic waste annually.
(Photo: A number of student works exhibited at the COSMIC event)
Indonesia remains one of the largest producers of plastic waste in Southeast Asia. This opens up opportunities for innovation in alternative materials, sustainable design, and more responsible, creative production practices.
At the exhibition, visitors were treated to a variety of works by UI Vocational students, ranging from design, photography, art installations, to handicraft products.
One of the most eye-catching pieces is a cat pillow with a spiced tail made from turmeric, cumin, and ginger. The work arose from the creator’s concern about the younger generation’s growing distance from natural Indonesian ingredients, and also served as an attempt to revive that closeness through a creative approach.
The exhibition is also open to collaborators of works displayed from various institutions, such as the Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, UI Vocational Media Production, and Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN).
In addition to visual works, visitors can enjoy short films produced by students that raise sustainability issues from an audio-visual perspective.
“COSMIC opened my eyes to the fact that sustainability can be expressed in a very creative way. It’s refreshing to see works that are so closely connected to environmental issues, yet still relevant to the perspectives of our generation,” said Nabila Ananti, a visitor to the exhibition.
The Head of the Creative Industries Applied Masters Study Program, Dr. Dewi Kartika Sari, S.E., M.S.Ak., CA., appreciated the students’ initiative in organizing COSMIC.
“COSMIC reflects students’ ability to translate global issues into concrete actions. This initiative aligns with the
As organizers, students of the Applied Creative Industries Masters Program hope that COSMIC can become a movement that inspires the creative community, both within the UI environment and outside the campus.
“Kami ingin COSMIC menjadi ruang yang menujukkan bahwa kreativitas bisa membawa perubahan. Melalui acara ini, kami berharap semakin banyak generasi muda yang sadar bahwa keberlanjutan bukan tren sesaat, tetapi arah penting dalam berkarya dan membangun industri kreatif yang lebih baik,” tutup Gracello Yeshua Davny Bonar, mahasiswa perwakilan dari tim penyelenggara.
