Indonesian motion designer and illustrator Ardhira Putra is Jakarta’s best export to the world when it comes to eye-popping works of art.
Ardhira Putra, 36, has a distinct style when it comes to his art. I stumbled upon his exhibition at GMBB Mall, Kuala Lumpur just last year, when he was showcasing his various illustrations and artworks. Drawn to his mesmerising colours, I lingered around the space for more than an hour before deciding on making a purchase of a large print entitled, “The Future is Female.” What had inspired me to take it home was the hyper-colours and a throwback to the 80s and even 90s pop nostalgia seen on Japanese TV.
Cutting his teeth by studying animation major from Multimedia University in Malaysia, Ardhira went on to work for studios like Dentsu Digital, Pijaru, Monso House and EON Reality. For the past years, Ardhira created a visual for a global music scene, from Barefood (Jakarta) Macross 82-99 (Mexico), Nice Guys record (France), DJ didilong (Taiwan), Engelwood (US), Yungbae (US), MDSGGN from Stonesthrow record (US), and Niagara Triangle – Eiichi Ohtaki, Masamichi Sugi, Motoharu Sano (JPN). He also picked up an award for Best Animation at the Indonesian Film Festival for his work “Surat untuk Jakarta” (A letter for Jakarta) in 2016.
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Today, Ardhira is busy making interactive graphics for brands and clients, and even incorporating 3D and 2D in his works. One of his best highlights was creating a music video for the track “Super High” for hip-hop group Epik High and Englewood’s “Crystal Dolphin.” His recent works can now be seen on The Coca-Cola Company’s #WhattheFanta campaign, which is set against the nostalgic sound of retro video games. He is the right man for the job, after all…
When did you discover your passion for illustration work? How did you fuel your dream?
I have liked drawing since I was little. When I was little I liked reading Japanese and western comics. That became my inspiration. And I started studying illustration when I was in college. I majored in Film and Animation. I fuelled my dream by watching movies, reading comic books, playing video games, and also watching tutorials on YouTube. But mostly I got inspired by pop culture, especially TV shows and video games.
Were your family supportive of your dreams?
Yes, I am grateful that my parents support my passion since I was in senior high school. My parents supported me by enrolling me in a drawing course and they allowed me to study film and animation in college.
After graduating, how did you end up doing some work for music labels?
When I was in college, I liked music and I learned the world of visuals as well. I’ve always enjoyed music videos especially on MTV channels back then. I also follow music video directors like Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze. I studied Animation and also motion graphics for like eight years. It was then I started to fall in love with the Retro theme. I think it’s because I really love pop culture in the 80s and 90s as it gives me a bounce of energy. In 2017, I started branding my personal works with the 80s and 90s pop style. When I began creating my personal work, I got a positive response in social media, and YungBae’s manager and also Epik High approached me in social Media (both on Instagram and Twitter).
Some of your works are inspired by Japanese culture. Was that intentional?
Yes, it was intentional, because back then in the 90s in Indonesia, all the TV shows and also comic books were imported from Japan. So I believe all the kids were watching these Japanese TV shows and reading Japanese comic books. I am in love with video games as well and mostly all the video games are also from Japan. And in my thirties, when I got bored with office work and also client work, I looked back on my childhood memories. I found that Japanese pop culture influenced me when I was a kid. And I found my energy of happiness by creating visuals from my childhood which are of Japanese influence. I started to explore deeper into that.
Is nostalgia also an important theme of your works? Why so?
Yes, it is really important, since I found a positive and good memory from the past or from my childhood memory. I believe that the past has a big influence on shaping the future as well. I read and also studied the journals of artists in the 70s and 80s. I really respect them. I think understanding and following the roots of what you love is important.
What’s the most fulfilling and encouraging moment you’ve had ever since embarking on this journey?
I think about when I need to choose to leave my corporate job and pursue my dream to become an independent artist. It was the year 2022 when I was still working in a corporate company in Singapore and I was also pursuing my illustration and animation work. So it’s like living a double lifestyle. I remembered that my personal works got featured in some global creative magazine (It’s nice that, Creative Review, and Motionographer) and I got offers to create music videos from Sony Music Japan, Epik High, and also being involved in a project with MTV (US). I realised that my personal work has become more responsible since I am dealing with a big musician and also a brand. It’s a tough decision for me to resign from my company and pursue my dream to become independent. After a long consideration and I gained confidence, I chose to resign from my company and become an independent artist.
How do you manage clients who impose on your creative direction?
I am really grateful that all my clients let me create my personal style. They give me a lot of creative freedom. I think it is also because they want me to create a retro pop style.
Lately, you’ve been diversifying your portfolio to include merchandising (posters, artworks etc.).
Yes, I think it’s one of my dreams as well. I really like to have merchandise because since I was a kid, I like to collect toys, stickers, posters, and T-shirts as well. I want to have a brand where anybody can collect merchandise.
Do you ever feel that you suffer from imposter syndrome? How do you manage that?
I always have an imposter syndrome, and sometimes to make me feel better, I need to remember the hard times to complete one project or maybe I need to remember and respect the hard work put in.
How has the response from your fans been like?
I am really thankful that they support my work and I am really grateful for that! They support me by coming to my exhibition and also collecting my merchandise.
What’s your goal for 2025 and for the next few years?
I think for 2025, I would like to be more focused on my personal illustrations — I am interested in publishing my own illustration book. And produce more of my merchandise as well and hopefully to have another exhibition.
Do you have any messages for other aspiring artists out there who wish to dabble in illustration?
Keep trying to draw, and being honest about what we like is an important thing.
