The transformation of journalism in the digital age has led to the emergence of local online media platforms operating without formal editorial structures. This study investigates the news production process of a public service article published by a semi-professional online portal, focusing on how editorial routines are adapted—or bypassed—in decentralized environments. The selected article, which listed hospitals affiliated with the national health insurance program, was widely circulated yet contained factual inaccuracies that impacted readers' real-life service access. Using a qualitative case study design, the research draws on interviews with the editor, observational data, document analysis, and reader responses. The results reveal a linear, individualized editorial workflow in which a single actor handled all stages of production without verification protocols. Visual design elements such as structured layouts and official-like typography were employed to simulate credibility, resulting in what this paper terms aesthetic misinformation. While the article was produced to serve the public, the absence of institutional oversight contributed to its unreliability. The findings contribute to media and communication studies by highlighting the tension between visual legitimacy and journalistic integrity in grassroots media production. The study recommends adopting lightweight editorial standards and reflexive design practices to promote ethical information dissemination in non-institutionalized news environments.

This study focuses on strengthening brand equity in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) study program at higher education institutions by implementing interactive multimedia. The background of the problem lies in the importance of branding innovation in addressing the increasing competition in the education sector. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of interactive multimedia on four dimensions of brand equity: brand awareness, brand loyalty, perceived quality, and brand associations. The methodology employed involves a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach. Data was collected through a survey of 100 respondents using a Likert-scale-based questionnaire and in-depth interviews with relevant participants. A paired t-test was used to analyze changes in brand equity perceptions before and after implementing interactive multimedia. The results show a statistically significant increase in brand awareness by 20% (p < 0.01), brand loyalty by 25% (p < 0.01), perceived quality by 18% (p < 0.01), and brand associations by 19% (p < 0.01). These findings provide practical contributions to higher education institutions by demonstrating that interactive multimedia is not merely a communication tool but an effective strategy for building emotional engagement with audiences and enhancing institutional reputation. Furthermore, qualitative insights highlight the role of interactive multimedia in fostering deeper emotional connections and improving perceptions of quality. This research supports adopting technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to enrich future learning experiences. Continuous implementation and innovation in interactive content are also necessary to remain relevant and competitive in the dynamic education market.

Traditional culture is a vital part of a community's identity, yet in the era of globalization, cultural elements are often threatened by modernization, which can blur local identities. This study explores the application of the Design Thinking method in integrating the Surjan Jogja motif into visual communication design, focusing on how the design can preserve cultural meaning while remaining relevant in contemporary times. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing the five stages of Design Thinking: empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 15 respondents, including designers, batik artisans, and cultural figures, as well as direct observations of the creative process. The results show that 80% of respondents appreciated designs that integrated the Surjan motif, with many stating that the design offered deeper meaning compared to products without cultural context. The study found that the application of Design Thinking produced innovative visual solutions and strengthened local cultural identity amidst globalization. The conclusion of this study emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional elements in visual communication design to preserve local culture. The practical implications of this research are significant, as it provides a framework for the development of culture-based design and opens opportunities for further research on the application of this method in other cultural contexts, thereby offering a practical guide for designers and cultural researchers interested in preserving local culture through design.

In the rapidly evolving digital era, social media, particularly Instagram, has become a primary platform for visual communication. However, public awareness of the designer's role still needs to be improved. This study explores effective visual communication strategies for enhancing public awareness and understanding of the designer profession through social media campaigns. The methods used include data analysis from questionnaires collected from campaign-exposed audiences and applying descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to assess the relationship between campaign exposure and increased awareness. The study’s results indicate that visual elements, such as color palettes, typography, and narratives' storytelling, significantly influence audience engagement and their understanding of the designer profession. While the campaign successfully captured attention, a communication gap still needs addressing to improve its effectiveness. This research offers critical insights for designers and marketers in crafting more impactful social media campaigns. It underscores the necessity of a targeted approach to elevate public appreciation for the designer profession.

In the digital era, typography design has become a fundamental element in shaping the visual identity and user experience of e-commerce platforms. Modern typography trends like minimalism, variable fonts, and responsive typography reflect a dynamic evolution aligned with user preferences and technological advancements. However, limited research addresses how typography influences users' visual preferences and engagement in the e-commerce context. This study aims to explore modern typography trends and their impact on user preferences while identifying elements that drive effective visual communication. To achieve these objectives, the research employs a mixed-method approach. A visual content analysis was conducted on typography used by leading e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, Shopee, and Tokopedia, to identify prevailing design trends. A survey involving 150 active e-commerce users was conducted to understand their perceptions and preferences regarding typography design. Quantitative data from the survey were analyzed using statistical methods, while qualitative insights were interpreted to provide context. The results reveal that users prefer sans-serif fonts and minimalist designs due to their clarity, readability, and modern appeal. Variable fonts and dynamic typographic layouts were also noted for their ability to enhance engagement, though these trends appeal primarily to younger audiences. This study concludes that typography significantly influences user perception and interaction within e-commerce platforms. The findings contribute to the field of user experience design by offering actionable insights for designers and developers, aiming to create visually appealing and user-centered platforms.

The rapid advancement of digital communication technologies has heightened the demand for robust data security methods, particularly for safeguarding sensitive information against cyber threats. Steganography, the art of concealing data within digital media, offers an effective means of securing communication by masking the very existence of hidden messages. This study evaluates the Two Least Significant Bits (2LSB) method as an enhancement to the conventional Least Significant Bit (LSB) technique, focusing on improving storage capacity and resistance to detection. The research employs a quantitative methodology, conducting experiments to analyze the impact of data embedding on image quality using metrics such as Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR). Data embedding was tested on images of varying sizes and resolutions, with results compared before and after embedding. The study also evaluates the system’s tolerance to compression and robustness against steganalysis attacks, such as histogram analysis and noise detection. The results demonstrate that the 2LSB method significantly enhances storage capacity while maintaining high image quality. For instance, PSNR values remained above 40 dB across all tested images, indicating minimal visual distortion. The method also showed resilience to lossless compression formats such as PNG, with minimal impact on data integrity. However, lossy compression formats like JPEG posed challenges in maintaining the embedded data. The MSE values before and after embedding were minor, ensuring that the hidden data remained undetectable under standard analysis. This research contributes to developing more efficient and secure steganography techniques, providing practical applications in protecting sensitive data during transmission. The findings underline the 2LSB method's potential as a viable solution for digital security, balancing enhanced storage capacity with robust resistance to detection. Future work should further explore integrating advanced encryption with 2LSB to strengthen data protection in diverse digital environments

This research aims to develop a modern character design model based on traditional Javanese puppet figures (wayang), integrating cultural symbolism and contemporary design principles. The study explores how traditional elements, such as color, form, and symbolism in characters like Gatotkaca and Semar, can be adapted into modern, visually appealing designs suitable for today’s media platforms. Using a qualitative-descriptive approach, data were collected through interviews with cultural experts, focus group discussions with graphic designers and young audiences, and surveys to evaluate prototype designs. The findings show that while modern visual elements, such as minimalism and vibrant colors, are highly favored by younger audiences, maintaining the cultural essence of traditional puppetry is crucial. The designs were generally well-received, though some aspects of cultural symbolism required clearer presentation to enhance audience understanding. The research provides practical insights for designers in the creative industry to incorporate traditional cultural elements into digital media, such as animations, video games, and branding campaigns. It also offers theoretical contributions by expanding the understanding of integrating cultural heritage into modern design processes. Future research could explore the application of these characters in interactive platforms such as augmented and virtual reality, as well as investigate more effective ways to present cultural symbolism for global audiences.

Minimalist design has become a dominant trend across various visual media, from digital advertising to mobile applications. Generation Z, as digital natives with high exposure to visual content, exhibits unique preferences toward minimalist design. However, limited research has focused on identifying which elements of minimalist design most influence their visual preferences. This study aims to analyze the impact of key minimalist design elements—white space, simple typography, neutral colors, and layout—on the visual preferences of Generation Z. A quantitative approach was adopted using a survey-based methodology. The study involved 200 respondents from Generation Z in Indonesia, selected through purposive sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire employing a 5-point Likert scale to measure preferences for each minimalist design element. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to identify the most influential elements. The findings reveal that white space is the most influential element for Generation Z, with an average score of 4.3 and a regression coefficient of 0.45 (p < 0.01). Neutral colors and simple typography also show significant impacts, with coefficients of 0.32 (p < 0.05) and 0.28 (p < 0.05), respectively. Conversely, layout demonstrated the least influence, with a coefficient of 0.15 (p > 0.05). These results confirm that Generation Z favors clean, simple, and focused designs that effectively use white space and calming color palettes. This study contributes to the graphic design literature by offering insights into the visual preferences of Generation Z. Practically, the findings provide actionable guidelines for graphic designers to create more effective digital campaigns targeting young audiences. Future research is recommended to explore cross-cultural variations in visual preferences and the role of specific media platforms in shaping these preferences.

This study aims to design and implement animated stickers as an educational medium for drug abuse prevention using the Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) method. The MDLC process includes six phases: concept, design, material collection, development, testing, and distribution. In the concept phase, the educational goals and target audience are defined. The design phase involves creating visual sketches and animations using Adobe animate. In the material collection phase, relevant information about drug abuse is gathered from trusted sources. During the development phase, the animated stickers are created, incorporating visual and textual elements to convey anti-drug messages. The testing phase evaluates the effectiveness of the stickers using a survey of 100 adolescents aged 13-18 years. The results show a significant increase in understanding of drug abuse, with a 48% improvement in comprehension after exposure to the animated stickers, as measured by a Likert scale survey. The effectiveness was primarily evaluated based on user feedback regarding visual appeal, message clarity, and motivation to avoid drugs. The final phase involves distributing the animated stickers through social media platforms and messaging apps, targeting a broader audience. This study demonstrates that animated stickers are a highly effective tool for increasing drug awareness among young people

This research explores the application of Human-Centered Design (HCD) in developing a mobile application for agricultural product marketing, aiming to address critical challenges faced by farmers, such as limited market access and inconsistent internet connectivity. By involving farmers and consumers in each stage of the design process, the application was iteratively improved based on user feedback. The study implemented low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototyping, with five iterations of user testing to enhance usability, navigation, and accessibility. Results show a significant increase in task success rates, user satisfaction, and application efficiency, mainly by including offline features for users in areas with poor internet infrastructure. The study also highlights the effectiveness of HCD in adapting technology to local conditions, offering a practical solution that supports the digital transformation of the agricultural sector, particularly in rural areas. This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating that HCD can be effectively used to develop user-friendly applications that meet the specific needs of the agricultural community