February 17, 2024

Election Day and Its Everyday Design

Introduction:

Arya - Interior Designer

Through Et.arr, Arya is dedicated to establishing a strong connection between social dimensions and design, elaborating on the concept of daily design as a foundational principle. Addressing the irony inherent in our perception of "design" as always being "clean," contemporary, and dominated by the color white, Et.arr invites to see design as an element intended to facilitate everyday activities. The focus is on revealing the value in simple things, such as roads or bridges, which essentially serve as crucial means to simplify individual lives. Beyond mere aesthetics, Et.arr encourages designers to form robust teams and take structural initiatives in problem-solving, highlighting the ineffectiveness of an overly solution-centric approach. With the goal of increasing awareness and initiating discussions involving various elements, Et.arr aims to create positive change and sustainable solutions in a broader social context.

On Alat Peraga Pemilu:

Arya - Interior Designer

Et.arr contemplates the intriguing phenomenon of Pemilu campaign materials, recognizing it as an inescapable and visually captivating aspect of our daily lives. While these materials bring a new visual dimension to our everyday experiences, Et.arr acknowledges the potential downside when campaign materials turn into visual litter. To address this, Et.arr reimagines campaign materials by organizing them based on color and gradients, even allocating a dedicated space for politician stickers on the left side. A fascinating perspective comes from a local politician in Bandung who sees campaign materials as inevitably significant and non removable, emphasizing their role in visibility, awareness, and public discourse, despite the potential naivety of expecting detailed ideas in campaign materials given the low literacy rate in Indonesia. Recognizing the importance of familiarity due to the overwhelming number of names on the ballot, campaign materials serve the purpose of establishing recognition. In line with an urbanist's view that the best way to understand how people use cities is to observe them, Et.arr sheds light on the nuanced dynamics of campaign materials in urban spaces.

The habits of a community are resistant to change. In other countries, campaign materials (APK) may be neatly arranged, likely because the population is accustomed to walking and interacting directly with these materials. However, in Indonesia, where motorbike usage outweighs pedestrian activity, the question arises: Can designers shape the tastes of the community? It's a possibility, but it would require significant structural adjustments. Et Arr opts to embrace this uniqueness as a new element coloring daily routines. There are various ways to interpret design, not restricted to a visually minimalistic and clean approach. Some view design through a maximalist lens, and Et Arr believes not every design needs to adhere to minimalism. Design shouldn't be forced; instead, the emphasis should be on embracing, allowing users to guide their own design direction. While there's a perceptible strategic shift in the campaign, visually, substantial changes seem limited. Future efforts may focus on enhancing the visual appeal of campaign materials without abandoning the maximalist and unorganized visual style seen in the past.

Bayu - Graphic Designer

Well-designed facilities often fall short in influencing the behavioral effectiveness of the community, as the design may not always cater to the practical needs and behaviors of its users. The challenge arises when design prioritizes aesthetics without considering the user's effectiveness in its functionality. Essentially, this year's campaign doesn't seem markedly different from previous ones, suggesting that a relentless focus on design alone may not yield substantial changes in our surroundings. Designers themselves can often find themselves confined within the bubble of their own environment, limiting their perspectives and hindering a genuine connection with the reality and needs of the broader community. A more holistic and interdisciplinary approach is essential to bring about tangible transformations in our surroundings.

On Media Pemilu

Louis Marcellino - Computer Graphic Artist

While some campaign media already utilize sustainable formats with comprehensive information, such as digital billboards, they, like online media, are often considered suboptimal in effectively delivering their message. Transforming the format of campaign materials (APK) into something more sustainable and targeted presents an intriguing option, such as integrating campaign information onto food or beverage packaging. For instance, on subsidized products, not only would printing costs be more efficient, but the audience would also likely read the information more clearly, providing a more effective means of communication.

Arya - Interior Designer

Videotrons are an appealing option as they can convey a larger amount of information in a single medium. However, the current challenge among politicians lies in the limited campaign funds, and when APK creation leans heavily towards financial considerations, there's a potential for future instances of money politics. Another option involves engaging with residents door-to-door, which is still considered effective. Nevertheless, Videotrons have limited reach as they are predominantly found in major cities and rarely in rural areas. In non-urban communities, billboards primarily serve to emphasize familiarity with the politicians. Regardless of the election format, whether direct or otherwise, the presence of campaign materials (APK) is essential for highlighting the activities of politicians and fostering familiarity. In a Jakarta case study, some politicians have even issued accountability reports for the campaign materials they distributed.

Nisrina Aulia - Graphic Designer

The utilization of video billboards, packaging, and the like essentially embodies the communication form of campaign materials (APK). This aligns with one of the marketing theories known as Above the Line, Through The Line, and Below The Line. APK falls into the Above The Line category, representing attributes aimed at increasing visibility. On the other hand, campaign media employing packaging falls under the Through The Line category. The arrangement of stickers is intriguing, yet it contradicts the sporadic nature of stickers as a medium. These diverse communication channels reflect the multifaceted nature of political campaigning, where the choice of media plays a pivotal role in conveying messages to the electorate.

On AI Usage in Pemilu

Dimas
Design Researcher

A recent observation involves campaign posters and publications incorporating AI technology. Reviews on this utilization have been diverse, with some commending its ingenuity and others critiquing its perceived lack of creativity.

Arya
Interior Designer

Acknowledging the inevitability of AI, the sensible approach is to embrace its presence. Rather than attempting to avoid or resist the integration of AI, adapting and embracing this technological reality becomes a practical strategy. Embracing AI allows us to explore its potential benefits and integrate it seamlessly into various aspects of our lives and industries.

Khaerul Imam Risky
Illustrator

AI plays a crucial role in the initial stages of work, particularly in visualizing ideas. Since creative directions from clients often come in the form of text, AI assists in providing an early visualization of the given brief. This is particularly beneficial in the context of illustration, streamlining and enhancing the creative process by translating textual concepts into visual representations.

Riski Anugrah
Graphic Designer

AI adds a new dynamic to the context of election campaign materials (APK). Its utilization doesn't stem from a lack of appreciation for traditional methods, but rather, AI has emerged as a novel commodity that has gained traction among the public. What makes this year's election particularly interesting is the increasing diversity in visual directions. The visuals of the election campaign are evolving and branching out based on the individual personalities of each candidate, showcasing a broader range of creative expressions and approaches in response to the growing influence of AI in the realm of electoral communication.

On Design Relation
with People

Ahmad Syauqi - Writer

We must imagine that space is a playground where individuals can express themselves freely. Regulations are deemed necessary to familiarize specific design characters, fostering collaboration among actors involved in that design. From a perspective of design, regulations serve as a framework to guide and align diverse creative expressions within a given space, ensuring coherence and a harmonious visual language that resonates with the intended atmosphere or purpose.

Louis Marcellino - Computer Graphic Artist

Design inherently should follow the lead of society, as it acts as a feedback loop for the design itself. Simultaneously, design functions as an educational tool, challenging the notion that it must always dictate. Instead, design can elevate standards and guide society towards more effective and thoughtful design principles. The symbiotic relationship between design and society entails a dynamic exchange where each influences and refines the other, contributing to an ongoing cycle of improvement and adaptation.

Index