The Susun Sambung Exhibition Bridges Students and Industry Through MSME Collaboration

Bintaro, South Tangerang 01/08/25 – Universitas Pembangunan Jaya (UPJ) proudly presented the culminating projects of 65 students from its Visual Communication Design program during the “Susun Sambung” Exhibition, held on July 25–26, 2025, on the second floor of the BSD City Cooperative and SME Gallery Building, South Tangerang.

The “Susun Sambung” Exhibition embodies a profound conceptual narrative that reflects the students’ academic journey—from the initial structuring of ideas (“Susun”) to their integration and resonance with societal contexts (“Sambung”). This thematic framework captures the essence of the creative process within the discipline of Visual Communication Design.

“Susun Sambung is not merely a thematic expression, but the embodiment of the students' conceptual development, creative methodology, and final execution,” stated Ratno Suprapto, S.Sn., M.Ds., Final Project Coordinator and lecturer in the Visual Communication Design program.

The exhibition marked a transitional moment for participating students as they prepare to enter the professional sphere. It presented a challenge to produce works that transcend visual appeal, embedding substantive meaning and value aligned with real-world applications.

“With this exhibition, we aspire to contribute meaningfully to MSME stakeholders and the Cooperative and SME Office of South Tangerang City, who have generously facilitated a space for dialogue and collaborative engagement,” added Ratno.

This initiative represents the third consecutive collaboration between UPJ and the South Tangerang Cooperative and SME Department, reaffirming their shared commitment to fostering synergies between academic design practices and community needs. The event also welcomed SME practitioners, encouraging cross-sectoral discourse and innovation. Notably, many student projects focused on developing innovative packaging designs tailored to enhance the marketing strategies of local SMEs.

“We have partnered with UPJ to support SME entrepreneurs in Tangerang by facilitating packaging design initiatives,” remarked Bachtiar Priyambodo, S.STP., M.Si., Head of the Cooperative and SME Department.

Bachtiar further expressed his aspiration to establish a centralized packaging production hub on the UPJ campus, aimed at strengthening brand identity development for local SMEs and minimizing reliance on external production services.

Ultimately, the Susun Sambung Exhibition serves not only as a milestone for graduating designers but also as a dynamic platform that continues to evolve—advancing the interests of the design community, supporting SMEs, and fostering sustainable socio-environmental impact.

Author: Sheika Moza Setiadi (NIM 2023041106) Editor: Muhammad Amas