Serat Rupa: Journal of Design

Front Matter

Editor — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Factors Influencing Classroom Acoustic Design in North Sumatra: Bahasa Indonesia as the Language of Instruction

Hajizah Azmi Siregar — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Classrooms with optimal acoustic design can directly improve students' listening. Studies have shown that providing a good communication environment for classroom instructors is crucial for students to achieve good grades. Some students who receive poor grades find it difficult to concentrate when speech intelligibility is inadequate or because of excessive noise. However, these studies are based on English as the teaching medium. Indonesia is a developing country with a global population ranking number 4. The Indonesian Ministry of Education anticipates more educational facilities to be built under its mission to realize relevant education of high quality, equitable and sustainable, supported by infrastructure and technology. Will education with Indonesian as the primary language also follow the classroom architecture and acoustics design element? Thus, this study aims to explore views from the relevant important classroom architecture and acoustics design elements. Classroom facilities can support the educating and instructing process. Acoustic factors in the classroom can affect students' and instructors' concentration and comfort. A questionnaire was distributed among Indonesian respondents who work as acoustic engineers, architects, and educators to gain their views about classroom acoustics design factors. Thirty individuals responded to the questionnaire – ten persons in each group. The importance of the acoustics design aspects from each occupation group was measured through statistical analysis of questionnaire results. According to acoustic engineers, Reverberation Times and Sound Insulation are essential to designing classroom acoustics. The architect group assessed Reverberation Times as a less important aspect. However, according to architects and educators, Speech Intelligibility is regarded as the most crucial factor in an Indonesian-language classroom. In short, an evaluation of Indonesian classroom architectural and acoustics features are conducted to make improvements. The school education board, architects, and acoustic engineers could use the results to make better design decisions.

Cultural Representation of Surakarta in the "Solo The Spirit of Java" 2022 Logotype

Keffa Kania Prajoko, Naomi Haswanto — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study evaluates the representation of Surakarta's culture in the "Solo The Spirit of Java" 2022 logotype using a descriptive qualitative approach with Erwin Panofsky's theories of pre-iconographical, iconographical, and iconological analysis. The analysis process begins with the pre-iconographical stage, where formal elements are identified. The iconographical stage then connects these elements with the cultural meanings of Surakarta, such as cultural symbolism and local values. The iconological stage involves deeper interpretation, considering the broader cultural context related to the logo. The results indicate that the logo successfully represents some aspects of Surakarta's culture through its visual shapes; however, there are weaknesses in the choice of color, typography, and style that can be improved to strengthen the overall cultural representation.

Modular Formal Work Clothes Design Based on Sustainable Fashion for Career Women's Self-Identity Expression

Sri Listiani, Suryawati, E. Lutfia Zahra — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to design multifunctional clothing based on sustainable fashion, specifically intended for career women, with consideration of long-term functionality, flexibility, and the ability to express self-identity. The background of this research is rooted in the need for career women to have clothing that is not only practical and aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly and capable of representing personal character. A quantitative method was used, involving five panelists consisting of designers, academics, and professional women as respondents. The researcher developed four sets of multifunctional black clothing designs: (1) a sleeveless blazer with long pants, (2) a detachable-sleeve blazer with waist accents, (3) a blazer with ruffles on the collar and cuffs, and (4) pants that can be converted into a skirt. Evaluations were conducted based on four main aspects: quality dimension (comfort, material strength, construction), design principles (form harmony, aesthetics, function), sustainability (eco-friendly materials, durability, maintenance), and self-identity (style alignment with user personality). The analysis results show that the second design received the highest overall score. The average score across all four designs was 89.6%, with sustainability and design principles emerging as the most prominent aspects. In conclusion, multifunctional clothing based on sustainable fashion proves to be a suitable solution for modern career
women, fulfilling the needs for efficiency, style, and deep self-expression, while also supporting sustainable fashion practices

A Semiotic Analysis of Social Critique on Technology in Visual Narrative of Akira (1988)

Radhiyya Akbar Ramadhani, Alvanov Zpalanzani Mansoor — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzes the form of social criticism on technological advancement in Katsuhiro Ōtomo’s film Akira (1988) using Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. The film reflects anxiety toward unchecked scientific and technological progress through complex visual symbolism and character dialogue. The analysis applies Barthes’ three layers of meaning—denotation, connotation, and cultural myth—to key elements such as the opening explosion, Akira’s preserved body, Tetsuo’s bodily transformation, and dialogues between characters such as Kei, Dr. Onishi, and Colonel Shikishima. The findings reveal that Akira critiques nuclear deterrence logic, the dangers of psionic experimentation, and contemporary concerns regarding emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). As such, the film functions not merely as a science fiction narrative but as a cautionary tale that remains highly relevant today. This research affirms that animation can serve as a powerful and reflective medium for social critique.

Typography as a Narrative Tool: A Study of Typography in the Television Series Severance

Alvanov Zpalanzani Mansoor, Muhammad Kasyfi Hazazi Juliansyah — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Severance (2022) series, available on Apple TV+, uses typography as an important element in reinforcing the themes and narrative developed. This study aims to analyze how the typography in the series functions as a narrative tool for conveying major themes such as control, alienation, and identity separation. Using Peirce's visual semiotics theory, this research examines how the use of monotype typography, elegant serifs, and other graphic design elements convey deeper meanings beyond just plain text. Typography in Severance not only functions as a tool for text communication but also creates a profound visual impression, depicting a highly organized and tension-filled workplace. This study identifies how graphic design, particularly typography, creates a deep dystopian atmosphere and helps strengthen the existing narrative. Furthermore, in 2023, Severance was nominated for a Hugo Award in the Best Dramatic Presentation category, recognizing the quality of the series' production, including the use of graphic design that supports the major themes of the story. By analyzing various scenes, this study demonstrates how typography plays a crucial role in strengthening the narrative and creating an atmosphere filled with tension and control in Severance.

Literature Review Artificial Intelligence in Graphic Design: Threats, Adaptation, and the Relevance of Designers’ Roles

Puji Lestari — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced the creative industry, particularly in the field of graphic design. AI-based technologies such as DALL-E, Midjourney, and Canva AI enable the instant creation of visuals through text-based instructions, raising debates about the relevance of designers’ roles in the digital era. This study aims to examine how the presence of AI affects graphic design practices through three main variables: relevance, threat, and adaptation. The method employed is a literature review by analyzing five scientific articles obtained from Google Scholar and Garuda databases within the last five years. The findings reveal that AI is relevant as a creative tool that accelerates workflow and expands idea exploration. However, it also poses threats in the form of job automation, plagiarism risks, and visual homogeneity. Therefore, designers are required to adapt by enhancing conceptual skills, utilizing AI as a collaborative tool, and maintaining ethical values as well as originality in every design process.

East Javanese Themed Interior Design of Hallo Surabaya Kertajaya Restaurant for Cultural Preservation

Ardine Kristina — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Interior design in restaurants not only serves as a setting for food presentation but also functions as a medium for representing cultural identity. In the context of ethnic restaurants, the spatial atmosphere created through interior elements plays a crucial role in shaping an authentic dining experience. This study aims to analyze the application of East Javanese cultural elements in the interior design of Hallo Surabaya Kertajaya Restaurant as an effort to preserve Surabaya’s local culture. The background of this research arises from the growing tendency of urban communities to appreciate local values, both in culinary practices and spatial ambiance. A qualitative descriptive approach with a case study method was employed in this study. Data were collected through field observations, interviews with restaurant owners and users, and literature studies related to interior design and East Javanese culture. The design process was analyzed using the design thinking framework as a tool for analysis and design development. The results indicate that the integration of Arek Surabaya cultural elements—such as distinctive batik motifs, the use of local materials (wood, bamboo, and rattan), symbolic ornaments, and warm, adaptive spatial characteristics—strengthens the restaurant’s identity and enhances the overall quality of the spatial experience. These findings confirm that interior design based on local cultural values not only contributes to cultural preservation but also improves spatial atmosphere and user comfort.