Pioneering Digital Aesthetics: New GET IO UIN SSC’s Illustrator and Photoshop Designs Activate Multisensory Engagement for AsiaCALL’s Global Audience
Cirebon, August, 20th 2025 — In anticipation of AsiaCALL 2025, the Global Engagement Team (GET) of the International Office (IO) at Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Nurjati Cirebon (UIN SSC) has undertaken a bold initiative to integrate artistic innovation with digital storytelling. Under the strategic guidance and full support of Lala Bumela, Ph.D., Director of the International Office, the team has embarked on a project to create immersive digital content using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. At the center of this effort is Keysha Aulya Febrina, a third-generation GET member whose exceptional skill in digital design enables her to translate complex ideas into visually compelling graphics. Keysha’s work is guided by experienced second-generation members, Indra Maulana Arfan Ajiz and Bustanul Arifin, who provide mentorship and ensure that every design aligns with UIN SSC’s standards of creativity, coherence, and institutional representation. “Our goal is to merge technical precision with emotional storytelling, making each design a multisensory experience that captivates the global audience,” stated Lala Bumela, highlighting the collaborative vision of the project.
The initiative emphasizes the concept of multisensory engagement, which combines visual perception, narrative flow, and cognitive impact to create designs that resonate on multiple levels. While Keysha already possessed considerable proficiency in Illustrator and Photoshop, the guidance from Indra and Bustanul helped refine her workflow, incorporating institutional requirements, narrative cohesion, and creative experimentation. Through this mentorship, Keysha was able to enhance her already impressive skills, producing graphics that balance clarity, aesthetics, and emotional impact. The collaboration demonstrates how a structured mentoring system can accelerate learning while maintaining high-quality output in digital content creation.
A central framework for the project was Reading for Emotions by Ania Lian, which structures content into six stages: Focus, Disturbance, Dialogue, Development, Resolution, and Moral. Keysha applied this framework directly to her designs, ensuring that each visual component contributes to an emotional and cognitive narrative. “Applying Reading for Emotions allowed me to think beyond just visuals — every color, shape, and composition became part of a story that engages the audience,” Keysha explained, emphasizing how the theory guided her creative decision-making. Mentorship from Indra and Bustanul further strengthened this approach, offering feedback on narrative coherence, aesthetic balance, and technical execution.
Collaboration between generational teams was essential for maximizing both creativity and academic rigor. Indra and Bustanul provided experienced guidance on composition, typography, and design principles, while Keysha infused the project with her fresh perspective and technical expertise. Together, they engaged in iterative cycles of design, feedback, and refinement, producing content that is visually compelling, emotionally engaging, and aligned with UIN SSC’s vision of internationalization. Lala Bumela highlighted that this intergenerational synergy reflects the university’s commitment to cultivating a culture of mentorship, skill development, and creative excellence.
The final designs have been deployed across AsiaCALL’s social media channels, digital bulletins, and promotional campaigns, providing audiences with a multisensory experience that combines beauty, emotion, and information. Keysha’s mastery of Illustrator and Photoshop, guided by Indra and Bustanul, ensured that every infographic, banner, and visual story was precise, aesthetically balanced, and emotionally resonant. Through careful attention to visual hierarchy, contrast, symmetry, and narrative flow, the team transformed conventional digital content into a creative showcase that communicates UIN SSC’s identity, innovation, and global vision.
Ultimately, this initiative demonstrates the powerful intersection of talent, mentorship, and leadership within GET IO UIN SSC. With Lala Bumela providing strategic direction, Indra Maulana Arfan Ajiz and Bustanul Arifin guiding and mentoring, and Keysha Aulya Febrina executing designs with remarkable skill, the project exemplifies how intergenerational collaboration can produce digital content that is both intellectually and emotionally compelling. By combining technical expertise, aesthetic sensitivity, and frameworks like Reading for Emotions, the team has set a new standard for multisensory engagement in academic digital design, positioning UIN SSC as a forward-thinking institution in global academic communication.
Author: Muhammad Azkiya Bahtsulkhoir