Creative Brilliance Recognised: FCI Students Shine at INDIGO Design Awards 2025

Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) students from the Department of Multimedia Design and Animation garnered international acclaim at the prestigious INDIGO Design Awards 2025. Held in Amsterdam, with the award ceremony taking place at Viva & Aviv, Bangkok, the competition recognised innovative design excellence from institutions and professionals worldwide.

The students’ projects, spanning categories such as motion graphics, branding, interactive design, magazine publishing, and mixed media, secured an impressive total of 11 awards— four Golds, six Silvers, and one Bronze. This success placed UTAR amongst the top-tier creative institutions globally. Competing alongside renowned universities such as Yale University School of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design, these wins affirm FCI students’ creative prowess and educational excellence on the international stage.

Among the Gold winners was Loke Qi Yan, recognised for two projects, namely “Welcome to Google Workspace” (Motion Graphics) and “Organic Face - Celebrate Your Inner Glow” (Branding). “Winning this recognition made me realise that I’m capable of achieving anything, as long as I keep learning, growing, and pushing my creative limits,” she reflected.

Lee Han Ying, who also clinched Gold, created “We Can’t Be Friends”, a music video inspired by Ariana Grande’s emotional lyrics. “I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and it feels really nice to have my work recognised,” Lee said. Tang Tze Ling’s “Girl in the Picture”, a chilling title sequence for a true crime documentary, earned her another Gold. “Winning and being recognised feels a bit surreal, but also incredibly encouraging,” Tang admitted.

Law Khor Nee impressed the jury with her motion design video “Webflow”, which earned Gold in the Mix Media/Moving Image category. Her work, filled with vibrant visuals and bold animations, celebrated the transformation from static web layouts to intuitive digital design.

Silver awards celebrated works that were equally impactful. Jong Shu Qing’s promotional video for Dior’s Fall/Winter 2024 show radiated youthful energy and retro glamour. “Winning Silver is an incredible honour. It validates the hard work behind this project and motivates me to keep innovating,” Jong said. Similarly, Lim Chu Zhen’s branding motion piece Montigo promoted a lifestyle brand through high-energy visuals. “Winning an award feels incredibly exciting and rewarding,” Lim shared.

Erene Teoh, who won Silver for “Golden Hour”, extended her gratitude to her mentors, saying, “I am grateful to win Silver! Huge thanks to my supervisor and UTAR. I’m excited to keep learning and making even cooler things ahead!” Lavanyaa G R Chandran, awarded Bronze for her cultural piece on the Saraswathi Veena, remarked, “Bringing light to my culture, especially on an international platform, is something I’m proud of.”

Teng Por Xuen’s deeply personal “Ugly Duckling Magazine” also earned a Silver award. “One day I started embracing who I am, then came Ugly Duckling. This competition recognised the idea of individuality. To every Ugly Duckling out there, you still can be anything you want to be.”

Adding to the Silver roster was Ng Hong Kai, whose animated short “Bak Kut Teh – A Traditional Chinese Food in Malaysia” explored the touching history of a beloved Malaysian dish. The story of Ah Fatt, a migrant turned culinary figure, was both nostalgic and culturally enriching. Hong Kai expressed thanks to his mentor, Ts Ng Perng Jeu, and his family for their support.

These achievements, guided by lecturers including Dean of FCI Assoc Prof Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng, Head of Department of Multimedia Design and Animation Dr Wan Irma Sabrina binti Idris, Mr Lee Kin Keong, Ms Jeevamalar a/p Kumarasamy, Ts Ng Perng Jeu and Mr Ravindran Munusamy, reflect UTAR’s dedication to nurturing creativity through purpose and identity. The full involvement of the FCI academic team marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the power of mentorship and collaborative academic culture.