Depok-The Media Production study program within the Universitas Indonesia’s Vocational Education Program once again presented a practice-based learning innovation through a guest lecture titled “Urban Sketching, College, and Coffee” on Thursday (April 16, 2026) at the Vocational Literacy Park. This activity is part of an effort to strengthen students’ competencies in visual storytelling and the creative industry.
This guest lecture featured Donald S. Saluling, a designer, artist, urban sketcher, and community builder active in the creative ecosystem. In the session, he shared his experiences and insights regarding the practice of urban sketching as a creative approach to directly capturing visual reality. Urban sketching is a method of drawing directly on location, both indoors and outdoors, relying on a keen sense of observation of the surrounding environment. Through this approach, students not only learn drawing techniques but also understand how visuals can function as a medium to authentically capture stories, space, and time.
(Photo: Atmosphere of guest lecture with Donald S. Saluling)
In this activity, students are invited to directly capture and observe the atmosphere, composition, and perspective in real life, then translate them into visual sketches. In addition, students are also introduced to the basic principles of urban sketching, such as visual honesty, freedom of expression, and the importance of building and developing a personal style in their work. Students are introduced to the urban sketching manifesto which serves as the foundation of this community’s practice at the global level. “Some of the key principles emphasized in urban sketching include drawing based on direct observation, making the work a documentation of place and time, maintaining visual honesty to the objects seen, and developing a personal style without medium limitations,” said Donald.
In addition, students are encouraged to build a collaborative culture through collaborative drawing activities and sharing their work with the public as part of their creative practice. This activity, while not solely focused on knowledge transfer, also serves as a collaborative space that encourages discussion and exploration. The involvement of the urban sketching community enriches students’ learning experiences and opens up insights into the dynamics of the creative ecosystem beyond the campus environment.
(Photo: Students sketching the objects they draw)
Donald not only explained the concept but also the technical process of urban sketching. Students were equipped with an understanding of the visual stages, from determining the viewpoint and developing basic compositions to building simple structures and perspectives. Donald added, “The use of lines, proportions, and rapid observation techniques are key to spontaneously capturing the dynamics of objects in the field.”
The Head of the Media Production Study Program, Ngurah Rangga Wisesa, M.I.Kom., Ph.D., stated that this activity is part of an effort to provide learning that is relevant to industry needs. “This guest lecture provides Media Production students with direct experience that enriches their perspectives on processing visuals as a communication medium. Students also gain interesting insights through directly implemented practices,” he said. Students are expected to be able to develop a sense of observation, creativity, and visual storytelling skills, which are important competencies in today’s media and creative industries.
