Yogyakarta, October 14, 2025 — Through an Open Senate Session held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Rector of the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta officially inaugurated Prof. Dr. Drs. Prayanto Widyo Harsanto, M.Sn. as a Professor in the field of Visual Communication Design (DKV). This inauguration marks a historic moment for ISI Yogyakarta, as Prof. Prayanto is the first Professor to be appointed within the Visual Communication Design Study Program of the Faculty of Fine Arts & Design at ISI Yogyakarta.
This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the academic journey of ISI Yogyakarta, particularly in strengthening the scientific position of Visual Communication Design (DKV) as a discipline that plays a major role in the development of art, communication, and technology in Indonesia. In the scientific oration delivered on that occasion, Prof. Prayanto addressed the theme “Visual Communication Design Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Between Aesthetics and Ethics.”
Through his oration, Prof. Prayanto highlighted the dynamics of Visual Communication Design (DKV) education development in Indonesia, which continues to face various conceptual and practical challenges. One of the issues that draws his attention is the misconception and misperception of DKV as a field of study, where DKV is often narrowly understood as merely a technical skill. This perspective is deemed to have an impact on many aspects, from curriculum design, the development of learning outcomes, to the enhancement of educator competencies in various DKV study programs across Indonesia.
In that context, Prof. Prayanto emphasized the importance of DKV education that is adaptive to technological developments, especially the presence of artificial intelligence (Artificial IntelligenceThe development of AI is unavoidable and has become an integral part of visual communication design practice. Therefore, DKV education is required not only to adapt but also to be able to drive change. DKV needs to play a role as agent of change, analysis agent, and agent of control in facing the challenging digital era.
Furthermore, Prof. Prayanto emphasized that the use of technology in DKV should not stop at the aesthetic aspect alone. While aesthetics are indeed an important element in design, ethics must be the primary foundation in every creative process involving technology. The use of artificial intelligence, for example, demands moral responsibility so that technology is utilized wisely, not only to produce visually appealing works but also to provide positive value and meaning for society.
In Prof. Prayanto's view, ethics-based education is an institutional responsibility that must be realized through curriculum, research, and learning practices. Consequently, DKV graduates will not only possess strong technical skills but also ethical sensitivity and awareness of the social impact of their work.
The inauguration of Prof. Prayanto as a Professor marks an important moment for ISI Yogyakarta to strengthen its role as a progressive and broad-minded arts education institution. His presence among the Professors is expected to enrich the academic perspective in the development of visual communication design (DKV) studies, strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration networks, and foster innovations relevant to the current needs of society and the creative industry.
In addition to being a source of pride for the DKV Study Program, this achievement also serves as an inspiration for the academic community at ISI Yogyakarta to continue developing themselves and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of art and design.
With the inauguration of Prof. Dr. Drs. Prayanto Widyo Harsanto, M.Sn., ISI Yogyakarta reaffirms its commitment to continuously develop art education that is not only academically excellent but also based on ethical values, humanity, and social responsibility. This inauguration is expected to be a new beginning for the scientific development of Visual Communication Design in Indonesia, and to be a source of motivation for all individuals in the field of VCD, especially within the environment of ISI Yogyakarta, to continue to innovate and contribute to the nation's progress.
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