In conjunction with INTI’s Centre of Arts and Design’s (ICAD) 10th Year Anniversary and Da Men Mall’s Hari Raya celebrations, more than 250 art and design students unleashed their creativity by taking part in a 750 foot long doodle themed “Longest Raya Doodle with Beat, Rentak Irama Raya x Peace. Love. Design!”
Armed with Pelikan markers, the students expressed their thought and emotions to create a masterpiece which is exhibited in the main lobby, ground floor, and first floor of the mall.
According to Mr. Chee Keong Lee (Sean), a Head of Programme at ICAD, the Raya doodle symbolises the merriment that comes with festive celebrations and marks a person’s triumph on discipline and self-resistance.
Marcella Mia Lomoljo (right), a student pursuing the Bachelor in Fashion Management and Communication in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and her best friend, Carson Wong (left), feels proud to have contributed to the doodle artwork initiated in conjunction with ICAD’s 10th year anniversary and Da Men Mall’s Hari Raya celebrations.
“Through this, we challenge our designers to reflect deeply on the well-being of people by using design as a vehicle to honour diversity and transcend borders for a peaceful world full of love,” said Sean who is also part of the main committee.
Meanwhile, Marcella Mia Lomoljo, a student pursuing the Bachelor in Fashion Management and Communication in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Hallam University, UK, said the doodle art initiative is neutral in culture but they made it uniquely Malaysian.
“The designs I chose, such as the kompang, batik motifs, and banana leaves, are Malaysian at their very heart. When I dissected the theme word by word, I thought I could use the kompang as an instrumental representative of a beat. It needed to be something traditional and Malaysian enough for Raya,” said Michella who took less than three hours to finish her artwork named The Other Beat of Raya.
She added that art brings about a sense of oneness that transcends love and promotes diversity.
Da Men Mall, located in Subang Jaya, came alive with the presence of a 750-foot-long doodle artwork put up on display in various locations.
“No matter in what context. How can a world be better without colours and beauty shown through art? Art knows no boundaries or skin colour, and that’s the beauty of it because it is in every single one of us,” she said.
Her friend Wong Kai Xiang, a student pursuing the Bachelor of Fashion Management and Communication in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Hallam University, UK, said the event showed him the power of unity through art.
“I hope when people look at the doodles they will feel proud to be Malaysian, just like we are. Since we put in a lot of hard work on these, I wish to see more people get inspired by the artwork,” he said, adding that the elements he used for the artwork were inspired by his best friend, Marcella.
Meanwhile, Tai Zhen Ye Nicholas, who is pursuing the Bachelor in Interior Design in collaboration with the University of Sheffield Hallam, UK, Tai Zhen Ye Nicholas, said the event allowed him to express his emotions through the arts.
“I like it that we are all working together as a team. We added some funny elements to make the doodle more fun. It is a blessing to see people come together, sharing each other’s experiences through art,” he said.
Siti Amirah Ahamed Giasudeen, a student pursuing the Bachelor of Graphic Design in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, UK, said that doodling can be a tool to boost mindfulness.
More than 250 students got creative with their doodle using only Pelikan markers.
“Personally, when we are invested in doodling our masterpiece, it can help to calm the mind, enhance concentration, and foster a sense of relaxation, thereby promoting overall well-being,” she said, adding that art allowed her to communicate across cultural, linguistic, and societal barriers.
She further expressed that art has the potential to inspire dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and promote a shared sense of humanity, contributing to a more harmonious and inclusive world.
“I strongly believe art should be accessible to everyone – give them a platform to express anything and everything,” said Siti Amirah.
Praising the effort made by students on the doodle artwork, Ang Tong Yin, Dean of ICAD at INTI International College Subang, said that as ICAD continues to grow and expand, it remains committed to producing graduates who can thrive in the dynamic and ever-changing design industry.
“ICAD would like to thank all the people who have been a part of its journey over the past ten years and we look forward to continued excellence in design in the next decade and beyond,” she concluded.