UTAR receives top institutional recognition at national storybook design competition

A celebration of creative ingenuity and culturally rooted storytelling unfolded as UTAR was awarded the Institutional Award for Most Entries at the Yusof Gajah Illustration Children’s Storybook Design Competition 2025. Organised in conjunction with the Selangor International Book Fair 2025, the prestigious award ceremony was held on 5 December 2025 at the Setia City Convention Centre and was graced by Her Royal Highness Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor.

UTAR’s participation in the national competition was embedded within the June 2025 semester Illustration course (UJMD2003), offered by the Department of Multimedia Design and Animation, Faculty of Creative Industries. The course was jointly taught by Ms Jeevamalar Kumarasamy and Pn Suhaila Ahmad Zaki, with Pn Mariah binti Johari serving as course coordinator. As part of the course’s second major assignment, 62 second-year Graphic Design students were tasked with conceptualising and designing original children’s storybooks inspired by simpulan bahasa, a distinctive element of Bahasa Malaysia’s figurative language. Students were required to conduct extensive research and integrate Malaysian cultural themes into their narrative, character, and visual design.

Upon discovering the Yusof Gajah Illustration competition, the teaching team proposed aligning the assignment with a national platform, transforming coursework into a real-world competitive submission. With approval from faculty leadership and relevant academic bodies, all 62 student-works were entered into the competition. While individual awards were not secured, UTAR emerged as the institution with the highest number of submissions nationwide, earning the Institutional Award for Most Entries along with a RM2,500 monetary prize.

Reflecting on the recognition, course coordinator Pn Mariah highlighted the broader educational intent behind such initiatives, noting that “design competitions reflect our commitment to developing resilient, creative, and industry-ready graduates.” Ms Jeevamalar further emphasised the pedagogical value of institutional engagement, explaining that institutional participation in design competitions transforms competitions from optional extras into powerful pedagogical tools. “These activities enhance student learning, confidence, employability, and professional identity while raising the overall quality and relevance of design education,” she said. She mentioned that for many students, competitions represent “their first form of external validation in the design industry.”

Pn Suhaila echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of institutional support in student development. “When institutions actively participate in student initiatives, they create meaningful learning experiences that empower students beyond the classroom,” she said.

In addition to the institutional recognition, UTAR students were granted the opportunity to exhibit their works publicly during the Selangor International Book Fair. Eight students—Leanne Qua Lea Yan, Tey Kai Xin, Oscar Siow Wen Gan, Elvira Lee, Jane Tang Yu Jian, Su Noan Chyi, Cherry Cheah Yu Tong, and Sia Ker Li—were selected to showcase their storybook designs on designated days, gaining valuable exposure to industry professionals and the wider public.

For Leanne Qua, the exhibition marked a significant personal milestone. “Taking part in the book fair exhibition was a learning experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she shared. “While the process was challenging, observing other artists’ stalls helped me gain insight into different presentation styles and creative approaches. Connecting with potential future clients also taught me the importance of exposure and networking in the creative industry.”

Tey described the experience as transformative, stating that participating in the Selangor International Book Fair under the guidance of Yusof Gajah “was an eye-opening experience that went beyond simply creating illustrations.” She reflected that presenting her children’s book artwork revealed the importance of communication and storytelling beyond visual creation, observing that “an illustrator also needs to communicate and stand behind their work… to connect a visual idea with an audience and bring the story to life beyond the page.”

Similarly, Oscar Siow highlighted the confidence gained through public engagement. “Through this book exhibition, I gained confidence in my illustration skills and storytelling,” he said. “Presenting my storybook Lidah Bercabang showed me how art can communicate meaningful messages.”

Earlier in the semester, the students’ storybook projects were also showcased at LOKALISTIC 2025, an exhibition held from 23 to 25 September 2025 at the Level 7 foyer of the KB Block, UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The exhibition was officiated by the Faculty of Creative Industries’ Deputy Dean, Mr Thinavan Periyayya, and served as a prelude to the national exposure students later received.

The RM2,500 prize awarded to UTAR will be reinvested into future design competitions for Graphic Design students, reinforcing the university’s commitment to experiential learning and creative excellence. This achievement reflects UTAR’s broader mission to bridge academic learning with industry relevance, while nurturing confident, socially engaged graduates.